Handley Page
Handley Page Dart Herald
The Handley Page Dart Herald was a British short‑haul turboprop airliner developed in the late 1950s by the venerable aircraft builder Handley Page. Designed as a modern replacement for the aging Douglas DC‑3, the Dart Herald first flew on 23 July 1958 and entered service with British European Airways (BEA) in 1960. Its airframe featured a low‑wing monoplane configuration with retractable landing gear and a spacious, pressurised cabin that could accommodate up to 50 passengers in a single‑aisle layout. Power came from two Rolls‑Royce Dart turboprop engines, each delivering approximately 2,100 shaft horsepower, giving the type a cruise speed of about 300 knots and a range of roughly 1,200 nautical miles—suitable for regional routes. The Herald incorporated advanced systems for its era, such as de‑icing boots, leading‑edge slats and a fully powered flight‑control system, which contributed to safe operation in the often‑turbulent weather of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Although only 55 aircraft were built, the Dart Herald demonstrated the viability of turboprop regional transport and influenced later designs like the Fokker F27 and Hawker Siddeley HS.748, leaving a modest yet lasting imprint on post‑war commercial aviation.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 50
- First Flight
- 1955
- Service Entry
- 1961
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Handley Page
- Developer
- Handley Page
- Operator
-
Líneas Aéreas La Urraca Janus Airways EAS Europe Airlines Elan Air Globe Air Royal Jordanian Bavaria Fluggesellschaft Royal Jordanian Air Force Arkia Itavia Transbrasil
- Wikidata ID
- Q1033485