Shorts SD-330 (G-OGIL)
NAHR category - Significant
Aircraft History
The Short 330 was developed by Short Brothers of Belfast from Short's earlier Short Skyvan STOL utility transport. The 330 had a longer wingspan and fuselage than the Skyvan, while retaining the Skyvan's square shaped fuselage cross section, allowing it to carry up to 30 passengers while retaining good short field characteristics. The first prototype of the 330 flew on 22nd August 1974. It entered service with Time Air (a Canadian Airline) in 1976.
While the basic Short 330 was a passenger aircraft intended as a short range regional and commuter airliner, and had been designed to take advantage of US regulations which allowed commuter airlines to use aircraft carrying up to 30 passengers, thereby replacing smaller commuter airliners such as the Beech 99 and the DHC Twin Otter, Shorts also planned two freight versions. The first of these, the Short 330-UTT (Utility Tactical Transport) was a military transport version fitted with a strengthened cabin floor, and paratroop doors, which was sold in small numbers, primarily to Thailand, who purchased four. The Short Sherpa was a freighter fitted with a full width rear cargo door/ramp. This version first flew on 23rd December 1982, with the first order, for 18 aircraft, being placed by the United States Air Force in March 1983, for the European Distribution System Aircraft (EDSA) role, to fly spare parts between USAF air bases within Europe.
Production ended in 1992 with a total of approximately 136 being built (including freighter and military versions).
Above text courtesy of Wikipedia
G-OGIL History
G-OGIL c/n SH3068, first flew on April 8, 1981 and was registered as G-BITV two days later. It was delivered to Inter-City Airlines on May 25. 1981 and served with them for two years before being leased to British Air Ferries. Following service with Air Ecosse and Connectair, G-BITV joined Newcastle-based operator Gill Air in 1989 where it was registered G-OGIL.
It continued to serve with Gill until 1992, when a taxying accident saw the aircraft written off, or stored pending disposal. An employee with links to the North East Aircraft Museum suggested that this was an ideal aircraft to be preserved. The management at Gill Air agreed and G-OGIL was donated to the museum, arriving in April 1993 minus its engines and any serviceable parts that could still be used on the remaining fleet. On Sunday, February 23rd 1997, the mammoth task began of moving the aircraft the short distance from its outside location. A number of existing aircraft had to be moved to make way for the 330 and it took seven hours, 20 volunteers, a crane and a low loader before G-OGIL was placed within the main display building. Having made sure the aircraft was out of the harsh north-eastern weather, thought turned to restoration. During the accident, the nose cone was damaged and this needs to be replaced. This is being completed from scratch because of the difficulties faced by the museum in locating an original. A number of perspex windows are missing as are some of the cockpit instruments. However, links with local operators have proved useful in finding contacts with spares. With the aircraft under cover, the main restoration program got under way. This involved stripping out the seats, panels and floors from the inside, and locating and treating any corrosion. Considering the aircraft had been outdoors for a number of years, there was little evidence of any major corrosion taking hold. Other than the nose section, the exterior panels are in excellent condition and required very little work before the new paint scheme was applied.
Once the aircraft is restored externally, the internal restoration will see it fitted out so that disabled visitors can enter. A section will be restored so that visitors will see it as it was when in service; the museum has access to a full complement of seats.
G-OGIL at NEAM.
G-OGIL after its accident. Photo credit :Andrew Appleby.
'G-OGIL' flying for Air Ecosse as G-BITV