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| Pioneer | |
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| Role | Utility transport |
| Manufacturer | Scottish Aviation |
| First flight | 5 November 1947 |
| Introduced | 1950 |
| Retired | 1969 (RAF) |
| Primary users | Royal Air Force Malaysia Ceylon |
| Number built | 59 |
| Variants | Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer |
The Scottish Aviation Pioneer was a STOL aircraft manufactured by Scottish Aviation in Scotland. It was used for casualty evacuation and communications and could accommodate a pilot and up to five passengers. [1]
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Design and development
The Pioneer was planned to meet the requirements of Air Ministry Specification A.4/45 for a light communication aircraft. The three seat prototype A4/45, powered by a 240 hp de Havilland Gipsy Queen was a three seat high winged cabin monoplane. The use of the Gipsy Queen engine resulted in disappointing performance, and so the A.4/45 was not ordered by the RAF. Scottish Aviation decided to produce a civil version powered by a more powerful engine.
The prototype Pioneer II, powered by a 520 hp Alvis Leonides engine, first flew on 5 May 1950 [2]. The Pioneer II demonstrated excellent STOL performance, and was ordered by the RAF as the Pioneer C.C.1.
Operational history
The RAF used the Pioneer extensively for tasks such as casualty evacuation in the Malayan Emergency, Aden and Cyprus. With its unusually large slats and flaps, it was able to operate out of very short, unprepared strips and could take off in as little as 225 ft. The Pioneer remained operational in small numbers until 1969 [3]. Pioneers were also used by the Royal Ceylon Air Force and the Royal Malayan Air Force.
Variants
- Pioneer : Four-seat STOL transport aircraft, powered by a 240-hp (179-kW) de Havilland Gipsy Queen 32 piston engine.
- Pioneer 2 : Five-seat STOL transport aircraft, powered by a 520-hp (388-kW) Alvis Leonides radial piston engine.
- Pioneer CC Mk 1 : Five-seat STOL casualty evacuation, communications aircraft for the RAF.
Operators
- Royal Ceylon Air Force - (four aircraft)
- Royal Malaysian Air Force - (nine aircraft)
Specifications (Pioneer C.C.1)
Data from Aircraft of the Royal Air Force[4]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Capacity: Four passengers
- Length: 34 ft 4 in (10.47 m)
- Wingspan: 49 ft 9 in (15.17 m)
- Height: 10 ft 3 in (3.13 m)
- Wing area: 390 ft² (36.3 m²)
- Empty weight: 3,835 lb (1,743 kg)
- Loaded weight: 5,800 lb (2,636 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Alvis Leonides 502/4 radial engine, 520 hp (388 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 141 knots (162 mph, 261 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 105 knots (121 mph, 195 km/h)
- Stall speed: 31 knots (36 mph, 58 km/h)
- Range: 365 nm (420 mi, 676 km)
- Service ceiling 23,000 ft (7,010 m)
- Wing loading: 14.9 lb/ft² (72.6 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.0897 hp/lb (0.147 kW/kg)
- Take off run 225 ft (69 m)
- Landing run 198 ft (60 m)
See also
Related development
References
- ^ Brittishaircraft.co.uk - Pioneer Access date: 27 December 2006.
- ^ Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
- ^ RAF Museum - Pioneer. RAF Museum - Pioneer Access date: 17 March 2007
- ^ Thetford, Owen. Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918-57, 1st edition. London: Putnam, 1957.
External links
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