New book on Short Skyvan

[aeroflight]

I am currently in the process of writing a new book on the Short SC.7 Skyvan. The last dedicated book on this unique type appeared in 1977.

I am interested in hearing of your experiences of flying, servicing and generally operating the Skyvan. Humorous anecdotes and serious incidents are all welcome. (Note: The Shorts 330/360 and C-23 will be a separate book in the future).

While I am here. Does anyone know of a flight test/pilot's report type of article on the Skyvan in an aviation magazine? I haven't been able to find one in Flight, Pilot, Flying etc.

Thanks for your time.

John

[DaveReidUK]

One of the most interesting missions flown by the Skyvan was the regular BHD-GLA-BFS-BHD round trip.

I can't tell you what was carried on the GLA-BFS leg, or I'd have to kill you ...

[l.garey]

I had an interesting experience when I lived in Singapore some years ago, wanting to spend a couple of days on Tioman Island in Malaysia and finding that there was a short flight there from Seletar, so we took it. It was via Skyvan, that we discovered was a hardly tarted-up Singapore Air Force version (the 3M) 9V-BNJ. This was in March 1989, and took 45 minutes, with the return a couple of days later. The spartan interior had a very military feeling, and was graced by a large luggage net for the bags. Great fun in spite of the noise. I've got a photo somewhere.
Laurence

[DaveReidUK]

I remember being told that regular pax on the short-lived BEA/BA Skyliner services between Glasgow and the Hebrides knew to bring their own earplugs.

[421dog]

Exactly one million years ago, when I was a student at the University of Illinois institute of Aviation, there was a motley crewe who came by on a regular freight run in the middle of the night in a flying boxcar. In exchange for a couple of beers (when not flying of course😎) one could bum a ride in a real turbine twin. I availed myself of this opportunity and had the experience of having the crew turn off my O2 at 21K. (Just for giggles). When they turned it back on, it was like Dorothy getting to OZ.
Louder than hell, but a lovely freight dog

[packapoo]

I can recall paxing around North Queensland back in the early 00's in those things.

[Sue Vêtements]

I jumped out of one once and the most interesting part of that was we did the entire sortie with the ramp down and all the jumpers facing aft (with a blanket for comfort I might add). This meant I could see out of the back and was very surprised when we taxied out to see us reversing and basically doing a three point turn at the end of the runway

I didn't know about beta at the time, so it just seemed ... odd (and funny)

[Captain Dart]

I recall a London flight where ATC told us to ‘…follow the Shed on Taxiway Delta’.

[Herod]

I'm not sure, but I don't think the Skyvan was ever called the "Shed". That was the 3-30 and 3-60. "Shed" and "Super Shed"

[DaveReidUK]

I'm not sure, but I don't think the Skyvan was ever called the "Shed". That was the 3-30 and 3-60. "Shed" and "Super Shed"

Added to which, Skyvans were a pretty rare sight at Heathrow.

[Captain Dart]

It must have been a 3-something then, and may have been Gatwick or MAN. It was still funny, though 😀

[chevvron]

Added to which, Skyvans were a pretty rare sight at Heathrow.
Aer Turas used to operate racehorse flights to Fairoaks (for Kempton, Sandown, Epsom or Ascot) and could have ended up at Heathrow on a wx div.
One day at Farnborough shortly after EFW moved out to Boscombe, Shorts company hack came in for some reason shortly before we closed for the day; quick turnaround then off again.
Next morning on airfield inspection, I found a piece of perspex with rounded off corners on the runway. It looked roughly the size/shape of a Skyvan window so we phoned Shorts and they checked; yes there was a hole in the fuselage where there should have been a window. Must've made a helluva noise but nobody noticed.

[DuncanDoenitz]

ISTR the SC.7 demonstrating at Farnborough, early 70s. Finale was the aircraft being bounced by a Lightning; Skyvan lands, soldier disembarks the rear door and "fires" a Company Blowpipe!

[Self loading bear]

Aer Turas used to operate racehorse flights to Fairoaks (for Kempton, Sandown, Epsom or Ascot) and could have ended up at Heathrow on a wx div.
One day at Farnborough shortly after EFW moved out to Boscombe, Shorts company hack came in for some reason shortly before we closed for the day; quick turnaround then off again.
Next morning on airfield inspection, I found a piece of perspex with rounded off corners on the runway. It looked roughly the size/shape of a Skyvan window so we phoned Shorts and they checked; yes there was a hole in the fuselage where there should have been a window. Must've made a helluva noise but nobody noticed.

Must have been the only decompression incident on the Skyvan.

[DaveReidUK]

Must have been the only decompression incident on the Skyvan.

The Skyvan is the only aircraft known to have suffered a bird strike from behind ...

[ETOPS]

I co-piloted a Skyvan for three years - very different machine to almost everything else. Ruined the hearing in my right ear and gave me a healthy dislike of the TPE331 engine :mad:

[Compass Call]

I didn't know that Skyvans had a ramp! The ones I worked on had an upward opening rear door.
Learn something new every day.

[Bergerie1]

Large jet following a Shorts Skyvan at a very busy US airfield. Pilot of large jet comes on the blower, ''What type of aircraft is that?''

Answer in a very proud voice, ''It's a Shorts Skyvan.''

Response from large jet in a slow lazy Texan drawl, ''Hey, fella. Don't ya know you have to unpack it before ya fly it.''

[DaveReidUK]

I didn't know that Skyvans had a ramp! The ones I worked on had an upward opening rear door.
Learn something new every day.

I'm pretty sure no Skyvan was ever equipped with a ramp. Of course that doesn't preclude one being used for loading purposes on the ground.

[Killaroo]

The SD330 was the worst aircraft I ever flew. The Skyvan must have been even worse.

[Bill Macgillivray]

Flew them for many years in Oman. Ugly, noisy but one of the most versatile machines at that time in that part of the world. The re-supply trips to some of the desert strips were fascinating and it never let me down in 15 years! True old-fashioned operating!
Bill

[Herod]

I always thought the Skyvan an honest sort of aeroplane. A basic, no-frills small airlifter. However, its bigger sisters, the 3-30 and 3-60 were getting above themselves. I flew the 3-60 for a short while. Pleasant enough in nice weather, but not in UK in the winter.

[ancientaviator62]

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x635/hercules_rmaf_vehicle_load_b7153db693b2d884d7fed517aa1471998 f60c815.jpg
Is this a Skyvan behind the RMAF Hercules ?

[treadigraph]

Is this a Skyvan behind the RMAF Hercules ?
Yup...

The Skyvan traces its roots back to the Miles Aerovan by way of the HDM.105 which sported Hurel-Dubois high aspect ratio wings to an Aerovan. The proposed HDM.106 was developed by Shorts and eventually became the Skyvan.

(I recall another Hurel-Dubois design was about the size of a Herald and had wings like a sailplane - IGN had two for aerial survey work and one turned up at the Fairford Tattoo one year... can't remember its designation)

[Discorde]

I recall another Hurel-Dubois design was about the size of a Herald and had wings like a sailplane - IGN had two for aerial survey work and one turned up at the Fairford Tattoo one year... can't remember its designation

Perhaps this beast:

Hurel-Dubois HD32 (https://www.steemrok.com/KYA/KYA.html#hurel)

[chevvron]

I co-piloted a Skyvan for three years - very different machine to almost everything else. Ruined the hearing in my right ear and gave me a healthy dislike of the TPE331 engine :mad:
The Skyvan started off with Continental '520 piston engines before being re-engined with Turbomeca Astazous, then 8 more were produced with higher rated Astazous before they went for the TPE 331 engrined version, two of which are operated under contract to the RAF for parachute training.

[VictorGolf]

Herod, you're right about the Shorts 330/360 in rough weather. I came back from Belfast City to Luton in a Capital 360 in March 1989. Clearly there was some rough weather over the Irish Sea and the skipper announced a choice for the pax. "If we go over the weather you turn blue and if we go under you turn green!". As it happened he went through it and it was just bumpy.

[Killaroo]

That’s why it was called The Vomit Comet.

[treadigraph]

Perhaps this beast:

Hurel-Dubois HD32 (https://www.steemrok.com/KYA/KYA.html#hurel)
That be the one... :ok:

[Jhieminga]

One of those used to be parked at La Ferté Alais in the mid-90s.

As for Skyvans... someone mentioned two of them being in use for RAF parachute training. I think I saw those two parked at RAF Brize Norton recently.

[chevvron]

One of those used to be parked at La Ferté Alais in the mid-90s.

As for Skyvans... someone mentioned two of them being in use for RAF parachute training. I think I saw those two parked at RAF Brize Norton recently.
They're usually parked out of sight from outside; there's also a Do228 parked there too.
The Skyvans were regular visitors to Farnborough after the balloon unit (which used to tour round the country and operated from Queens Parade, Aldershot) was replaced by them and were very versatile being able to use all the runways for quick turnrounds; they would depart from runway 25 and land back on runway 36 or 29 irrespective of wind direction. One of them also appeared in an episode of 'Soldier Soldier' filmed at Farnborough which is currently being repeated on Freeview Ch 20.
Then the Army decided to move all the Para Battallions to Colchester.

[BSD]

The Hornbill Skyways Skyvan, I'm guessing was pictured at Kuching, in Sarawak.

Malaysia Air Charter also operated one, from their base at KUL (Subang) which used to be the International airport at KL. Would have been early to mid 70s.

The MAC Skyvan was mostly away, seeming to live on long-term charter work for the UN. Bangladesh and Egypt to my knowledge. I'd say that Skyvan did some interesting work.

[longer ron]

G - PIGY at Dunsfold Nov 2009 as camera ship/escort on the occasion of the last flight of the Vimy replica out of Dunsfold

https://i.imgur.com/8ZFCVMT.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4Den3qi.jpg

[Self loading bear]

Yes in that case you need something with a low stall speed

[Bill Macgillivray]

Both Canadian registered!

[Herod]

Ref the Vimy (Sorry thread digression), the REAL replica with Eagle engines, was built and flown in 1969 for the 50th of Alcock and Brown. Yes, the photo chase required an aircraft with a low stall speed. Cue one Wessex out of Odiham. Sadly, I didn't have my camera with me, and it was before the days of mobile phones. That Vimy is now stored in the RAF Museum facility at Stafford.

[ancientaviator62]

BSD,
I cannot remember whether I took the pic at Kuching or Labuan but Kuching seems more likely as you suggest.

[Bill Macgillivray]

In the '80's the Omani Air Force had three Skyvans extensively modified for maritime recce.. Extra fuel tanks, a maritime radar capability, KNS660 nav. (new then!!) and an auto-pilot (very good!). They were extensively used (mainly in Srait of Hormuz) and were known as Seavans! Still going in early '20's. Great bits of kit!!

[Uplinker]

The Shed was a great way to learn commercial flying and crosswind landings etc - it was my first type after flight school.

I span a Shed 3-60 (appropriately) during my base training, when I was supposed to be demonstrating stall recovery.......... :) but I will leave that for the Shorts 3-60 book.

[treadigraph]

I span a Shed 3-60 (appropriately) during my base training, when I was supposed to be demonstrating stall recovery.......... :) but I will leave that for the Shorts 3-60 book.

Was it a 3-60, a 7-20 or a 10-80 degree spin?

[chevvron]

Ref the Vimy (Sorry thread digression), the REAL replica with Eagle engines, was built and flown in 1969 for the 50th of Alcock and Brown. Yes, the photo chase required an aircraft with a low stall speed. Cue one Wessex out of Odiham. Sadly, I didn't have my camera with me, and it was before the days of mobile phones. That Vimy is now stored in the RAF Museum facility at Stafford.
The first replica of 1969 caught fire at Brooklands and had to be almost totally re-built, I don't think it ever flew again.
I saw the next one on several occasions and was standing behind Gerry Street (controller) at Farnborough when he ad-libbed 'thats one small step for a 747 and one giant leap for a Vickers Vimy' at the beginning of it's RTW trip.
Next visit there was such a strong crosswind that it landed literally across the runway on an intersection.
Last time I saw it was when it visited Fairoaks overnight just prior to it being taken into Brooklands on its final flight.
The Skyvan accompanying it over Dunsfold in 2009 looks like it has a deflector fitted to the tailplane for parachute dropping so could it have been one of the aircraft from Brize? They are civil registered although they operate under a military callsign.

[Herod]

Chevvron; I agree with you on that, although I thought the fire was at Barton (?). As I said, i flew in formation with it back in '69. Next time I saw it was at Hendon, rebuilt as a non-flyer. The last time was at Stafford. Dismantled, but safely stored.

[chevvron]

Chevvron; I agree with you on that, although I thought the fire was at Barton (?). As I said, i flew in formation with it back in '69. Next time I saw it was at Hendon, rebuilt as a non-flyer. The last time was at Stafford. Dismantled, but safely stored.
I was wrong, the fire was at Ringway not Barton or Brooklands..

[Herod]

Thanks Chevvron, seems we were both wrong. Now back to the thread. Apologies for drift.

[Liffy 1M]

Aer Turas used to operate racehorse flights to Fairoaks (for Kempton, Sandown, Epsom or Ascot) and could have ended up at Heathrow on a wx div.
One day at Farnborough shortly after EFW moved out to Boscombe, Shorts company hack came in for some reason shortly before we closed for the day; quick turnaround then off again.
Next morning on airfield inspection, I found a piece of perspex with rounded off corners on the runway. It looked roughly the size/shape of a Skyvan window so we phoned Shorts and they checked; yes there was a hole in the fuselage where there should have been a window. Must've made a helluva noise but nobody noticed.

Aer Turas never had Skyvans, but Shannon Executive Aviation had a couple of examples.

[Uplinker]

Was it a 3-60, a 7-20 or a 10-80 degree spin?

We went round about three times until my chuckling TRE saved me any further embarrassment. The Shed spins beautifully though......it does a real textbook spin.

Now that WAS a "startle" moment !

[treadigraph]

Aer Turas never had Skyvans, but Shannon Executive Aviation had a couple of examples.
Now you mention it, I do recall EI-BNN coinciding with me several times. Might it have dropped a few meat bombs at the IAC open day at Baldonnell in 1986 I wonder? I see it was last heard of stored at Nairobi Wilson about 12 years ago sporting a Swazi registration.

[parabellum]

In the early days, before I began to climb the 'greasy pole', I flew on the Skyvan in Scotland and then for two years in the Middle East, in those days its nick name was, "The Whispering Nissen Hut". Great for the job it was built for and a more roomy flight deck than a B737!

[DaveReidUK]

In the early days, before I began to climb the 'greasy pole', I flew on the Skyvan in Scotland and then for two years in the Middle East, in those days its nick name was, "The Whispering Nissen Hut". Great for the job it was built for and a more roomy flight deck than a B737!

And Captain and F/O each had separate doors to the flight deck. :O

[treadigraph]

And Captain and F/O each had separate doors to the flight deck. :O
Funny, for some reason that comment immediately brought to mind the Airfix Skyvan kit - never built it but a school mate did; The cockpit rear wall appears to be suitably bifurcated but not modelled with doors! Olympic Airways and Oman AF decals, cover art by the very recently late Roy Cross.

[aeroflight]

Thanks for all the great stories. Keep them coming!

It seems to me that merely getting in and out of a Skyvan required the routine use of a ladder, since the external cockpit doors don't appear to have any access footholds and the cargo deck with the rear door open was more than 2 feet off the ground. Also, what was the normal way of getting to the refuelling point on the top of the fuselage?

(Apparently I can't read any of my private messages until I've made at least three posts).

John

[chevvron]

Thanks for all the great stories. Keep them coming!
. Also, what was the normal way of getting to the refuelling point on the top of the fuselage?.

John
At Fairoaks they used a ladder.
On one occasion, both the re-fueller and the pilot climbed up to re-fuel, then noticed the ladder had fallen down.
It took about half an hour before somebody noticed them shouting and waving to attract their attention.

[DaveReidUK]

It seems to me that merely getting in and out of a Skyvan required the routine use of a ladder, since the external cockpit doors don't appear to have any access footholds

There's a step and a grab handle to help to pilots get up to the cockpit door.

[Uplinker]

When hand flying, (I don't remember ours having auto-pilots), you could tell when the CC was approaching with the coffee, by the very subtle change in pitch - you would have to gradually apply gentle back pressure to the yoke to stay level, and say to the Captain; "ah, here comes the coffee". Cap would say, "eh, what?", at which point the cockpit door would slide open and she would say "hello boys, here's your coffee !".

[happybiker]

I joined Field Aircraft Services in 1973 just in time to work on the completion of 6 Skyvans for the Singapore Govt. Three aircraft were for general transport use and three were equipped for search and rescue with a dedicated navigator's station in the freight bay. The avionic installation comprised dual Nav/Comm systems from the King Silver Crown suite supplemented with a Sunair HF Tx/Rx, a Collins UHF Tx/Rx and a Plessey IFF/SSR transponder. In addition, the search and rescue aircraft included a Decca Doppler Radar with a moving map display at the navigator's station. The experience Fields gained from this contract stood them in good stead for their later contract with BAe when they became the completion centre for Jetstream aircraft in the 1980s.

[aeroflight]

Just a quick update on my book progress. I've now got a draft outline manuscript and I am now adding more details and fact checking, Three UK publishers have expressed interest in my work, and will decide in July if they want to take it further. Let's hope that one of them does.

I like reading all your comments.

[l.garey]

Thanks for keeping us posted. Good luck!
Laurence

[chevvron]

In the early days, before I began to climb the 'greasy pole', I flew on the Skyvan in Scotland and then for two years in the Middle East, in those days its nick name was, "The Whispering Nissen Hut". Great for the job it was built for and a more roomy flight deck than a B737!
In '72, Loganair's Skyvan was well used; it did at least one weekly trip to Stornoway usually coming back with lobsters. It also visited a few times when I did a 4 week detachment to Sumburgh.
It had a phenomenal rate of climb especially when going to Stornoway (so possibly empty?) but the Glasgow ground handlers didn't like it when it parked on a stand as it would power back onto the stand.

[WHBM]

Two takeoffs but no landing in one, at Peterborough Sibson :) . I believe the aircraft concerned was later written off (possibly in Europe at a parachute competition) with the classic para-dropper accident of running out of fuel. You put in minimal fuel each trip so you can get in an extra paying jumper, be just within MTOW, refuel a bit every lift, and (in theory) the aircraft is normally within glide range of the runway anyway.

Flying into Belfast City, always used to look across to Shorts to see what was on their ramp. I'm guessing the last Skyvan I saw in there was 1990s. 330s/360s a lot later..

It was another type, like the Jetstream, nearly ruined by French Turbomeca Astazou engines in initial aircraft, fortunately (like the Jetstream) they managed to make the change to more reliable USA Garrett ones, and (unlike the Jetstream) without bankrupting the company along the way.

[Planemike]

aeroflight...... Will your projected book also cover the 330 & 360 ?? You have much ground to cover if the last book on the topic was published in 1977 !!!

[DaveReidUK]

aeroflight...... Will your projected book also cover the 330 & 360 ?? You have much ground to cover if the last book on the topic was published in 1977 !!!

Answered in post #1.

[Planemike]

Answered in post #1. Danke,,,, !! PM