Saunders Aviation, the last chapter. The thirteenth Saunders ST-27 was built as the prototype ST-28, using tooling and equipment built by Hawker Siddeley Aviation. The new model had a number of improvements over the ST-27, a longer nose for radar installation, more powerful engines, larger fuel tanks and larger rudder. Passengers would have enjoyed larger cabin windows and built-in stairs. The prototype flew for the first time in July 1974.
The program did not attract any orders and financial problems led to the company's closure in 1976. Only one complete prototype was made, three additional airframes were in process when the company closed. The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada acquired the prototype and kept it in storage at Gimli.
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| From http://www.ruudleeuw.com/canada07-gimli.htm
Apparently the aircraft was scrapped by the museum in 2014 as "vandals had rendered the airframe unfit for restoration"! Very sad.
Update, March 2019; I received an email from Ken at https://saundersaircraft. Update May 2019; The quarterly Saunders Aircraft History newsletter is to keep in touch with our contacts that are not part of our Saunders Facebook group, plus you can forward on the newsletter to those that may have an interest in Saunders and may have Saunders Aircraft information to share. If you have Saunders history to share, please email me or post on the Saunders Aircraft Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2763480640542919/ ken kalynuk Newsletter here. |
1 comment:
Hi, I am doing an intensive Saunders Aircraft research project and blogging the results at https://saundersaircraft.blogspot.com/. We also have a Saunders Aircraft facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2763480640542919/
We welcome any Saunders Aircraft information.
Saunders Aircaft started the ST-28 line due to fact that the Saunders ST-27 could not be certified in the USA (the FAA 14CFR21 required a new aircraft certification if the # or type of engines were changed, i.e. 4 to 2, piston to turbine). Saunders Aircraft was proceeding with ST-28 certification and had potential orders for the ST-28, time, politics, government bureaucracy and running out of cash led to the end of Saunders Aircraft. More to come on our blog site over the next year.
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