IATA HS7ICAO A748

Hawker Siddeley HS 748

Hawker

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British twin-turboprop workhorse serving regional routes worldwide.

First flight

1960

Category

Regional turboprop

Seating

40–58 passengers

Range

1,815 km

Engines

Two Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines

Status

In service

The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 is a British twin-turboprop transport aircraft developed by Avro (later Hawker Siddeley) in the late 1950s. Designed as a robust short-to-medium haul regional airliner, it was capable of operating from unpaved and short airstrips, making it highly versatile for operations in developing nations and remote areas. The aircraft entered service in 1962 and was produced in several variants, including the Series 1, Series 2, and Series 2B, with progressive improvements in engines and payload capacity. It was also licence-built in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the HAL 748, where it served extensively with Indian Airlines and the Indian Air Force. Though largely retired from commercial service in developed markets, the HS 748 continues to operate in some parts of the world, particularly in freight, military, and utility roles. Its rugged construction and ability to handle rough field conditions earned it a strong reputation among operators in Africa, South America, and Asia.

Notable operators

Major operators included Indian Airlines, Austral Líneas Aéreas, LAN Chile, Dan-Air, and numerous air forces including those of India, the UK, and Brazil.

Notable facts

›First flew on 24 June 1960 at Woodford Aerodrome, UK.
›Licence-built in India by HAL, with over 80 aircraft produced domestically.
›Used extensively by the British Royal Air Force as the Andover and in navigation training roles.
›Capable of operating from unpaved and short grass airstrips.
›Over 380 aircraft were built across all variants before production ended in 1988.