de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Dash 7

  • Period: 1970-1979
  • Uses: Prototype
  • First Flight: March 27, 1975
  • Display Status: In Reserve Hangar.

The Dash 7 was the result of many years of research in short-take-off-and-landing technology by de Havilland Canada. It was an excellent airplane, quiet and efficient, but it had the misfortune to debut in the late 1970s between the oil crisis and the 1981 recession when few operators were purchasing aircraft. Nevertheless, its good qualities ensured that 105 Dash 7s were built and sold all over the world. They were found flying in places as dissimilar as Norway and the United Arab Emirates.

The Canadian Armed Forces operated two Dash 7s, redesignated CC-132 in 1979, for transport duties. They were retired in 1986–87. De Havilland later developed the Dash 7 Ranger reconnaissance version which featured special crew accommodations and a wide variety of electronic equipment.

Museum Example

  • Registration #: C-GNBX
  • Manufacturer: de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd., Canada
  • Manufacture Date: 1975
  • Construction #: 1
  • Aquisition Date: 1988
  • Provenance: Donation from de Havilland Canada

The Museum aircraft is the pre-production prototype Dash 7 which was used by de Havilland Canada for experimental work, demonstrations, and corporate flying. The company donated the aircraft to the Museum in 1988.

Specifications

Wing Span:
28.4 m (93 ft)
Length:
15.1 m (49 ft 6 in)
Height:
5.7 m (18 ft 7 in)
Weight, Empty:
12,405 kg (27,350 lb)
Weight, Gross:
19,955 kg (44,000 lb)
Cruising Speed:
428 km/h (266 mph)
Max Speed:
Unknown
Rate of Climb:
366 m (1,200 ft) /min
Service Ceiling:
6,770 m (22,200 ft)
Range:
2,295 km (1,425 mi)
Power Plant:
four Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-50, 1,120 shp, turboprop engines