Handley Page Herald

Handley Page Herald
Name	Handley Page Herald
Type	Turboprop airliner
National origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer	Handley Page
First flight	25 August 1955
Introduced	1958
Produced	1959–1968
Number built	50

Handley Page Herald. The Handley Page Herald was a British turboprop airliner developed by Handley Page in the mid-1950s. Conceived as a modern replacement for the ubiquitous Douglas DC-3, it featured a high-wing design and robust construction for operations from rough airstrips. Although it achieved only modest sales against strong competition, it served reliably with numerous airlines and air forces worldwide for several decades.

Development and design

The project originated from the Handley Page Marathon, a small postwar airliner that had proven underpowered with its piston engines. Seeking a competitive design, the company's chief designer, Reginald Stafford, led a radical redesign, replacing the original wing and powerplants with a new high wing and two Alvis Leonides Major radial engines. The prototype, designated the Handley Page HPR.3 Herald, first flew from Radlett Aerodrome on 25 August 1955. To compete with emerging turboprop designs like the Fokker F27 Friendship, Handley Page subsequently re-engineered the aircraft with four Rolls-Royce Dart engines, creating the definitive Herald Series 100. This configuration offered improved performance and redundancy, crucial for operations in remote regions. The airframe was noted for its durability, featuring a large freight door and the ability to use gravel or grass runways.

Operational history

The Herald entered service with British European Airways (BEA) in 1959 on its Scottish Highlands and Islands routes, though BEA operated only a few aircraft. The type found greater success with independent British carriers such as Autair and British Midland, as well as with the Royal Air Force, which used it as a navigation trainer. Internationally, it was adopted by operators in South America, Africa, and Asia, where its ruggedness and short-field capability were highly valued. Notable operators included Aerolíneas Argentinas, Philippine Airlines, and Royal Air Lao. The Herald proved to be a dependable workhorse, particularly on low-density regional and feeder services, remaining in civilian use into the 1990s and in military service even longer.

Variants

The main production variants were the **Herald 100**, the initial passenger model seating up to 56 people. The **Herald 200**, introduced in 1961, featured a 3-foot fuselage stretch, increasing passenger capacity and freight volume. A dedicated **Herald 400** series was a convertible passenger/freight variant for the Royal Air Force, designated the **HP Herald C.1** and used by the Central Flying School. A proposed **Herald 300** with more powerful Rolls-Royce Dart engines and a **Herald 500** with a further-stretched fuselage were designed but never built. The original piston-engine prototype remained a one-off.

Operators

Primary civil operators included numerous regional airlines across the globe. In Europe, key users were British Midland, Dan-Air, and Invicta International Airlines. In Asia, it served with Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Lao, and Thai Airways Company. South American operators included Aerolíneas Argentinas, Línea Aeropostal Venezolana, and SAETA. Military operators were led by the Royal Air Force (six C.1s) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Other air arms, such as those of Botswana and Brunei, also used the type for transport and paratrooper duties.

Accidents and incidents

The Herald's safety record involved several notable accidents. On 5 September 1965, a Royal Air Lao Herald crashed near Vientiane, killing all on board. A Dan-Air Herald (G-APWJ) was involved in a fatal accident at Blackbushe Airport in 1965 following an engine failure. On 18 June 1972, a British European Airways charter flight, operated by British Midland, crashed near Kegworth following an in-flight fire, though this was a Dart Herald variant. A SAETA Herald disappeared on a flight from Quito to Cuenca in 1976, with wreckage found years later on Chimborazo volcano. Hull losses also occurred with operators like Invicta International Airlines and Air Manila.

Specifications (Herald 200)

* **Crew:** 2–3 flight deck * **Capacity:** 56–60 passengers * **Length:** 75 ft 6 in (23.01 m) * **Wingspan:** 94 ft 9 in (28.88 m) * **Height:** 24 ft 11 in (7.59 m) * **Empty weight:** 26,500 lb (12,020 kg) * **Max takeoff weight:** 43,000 lb (19,505 kg) * **Powerplant:** 4 × Rolls-Royce Dart Mk.527 turboprop engines, 1,910 shp (1,424 kW) each * **Maximum speed:** 274 mph (441 km/h, 238 kn) * **Cruise speed:** 265 mph (426 km/h, 230 kn) * **Range:** 1,450 mi (2,334 km, 1,260 nmi) * **Service ceiling:** 27,500 ft (8,380 m)

Category:Aircraft manufactured in the United Kingdom Category:British airliners 1950–1959 Category:Handley Page aircraft