BELFAST


In the late 50's. Short Brothers tried to find a foothold in the field of transport aviation for its large military transport aircraft Short S.C.5 / 10, which began work on the project in February 1959. It was a high-rise with a tight fuselage of circular cross-section. Its cargo bay had a useful volume of 311.49 cubic meters. In the British Air Force, he received the name Belfast C.Mk.1. The aircraft was able to transport the largest guided missiles, cannons and vehicles for the British Army and Air Force, could be converted for transport from 150 to 250 troops. Loading options: six "Wasp" helicopters or two Polaris rockets. The first of the vehicles took off on January 5, 1964, but did not awaken interest from civilian buyers. Only 10 aircraft of this type were built for the British Air Force; The first of them entered the service on January 20, 1966. In the late 70-ies Belfast aircraft were put up for sale on the commercial market. Five cars were purchased by British cargo carrier British Carrier TAC HeavyLift. Three aircraft were converted for commercial use, and two remained in reserve; they proved to be effective during the Falklands campaign. All three copies of HeavyLift's Belfast were in operation until the end of 1993. Of the remaining five aircraft, four were scrapped, and one remained in the Museum of Aviation and Space in Cosford.

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