Turboprop cargo aircraft
Transall 160 – Armstrong Whitworth Argosy – Lockheed L-100
The turboprop engine is a variation on the jet engine in which the thrust generated by the gas turbine is converted into power that drives a propeller. It is an efficient power plant at speeds below about 725km hour and has several advantages over turbojet and piston engines. It has a good power to weight ratio, uses readily available jet fuel and the thrust of the propellers can be used for short take off and landing in reverse pitch. These features make turboprop engines very attractive for use in military cargo aircraft and the three we are looking at today are all civil versions of military cargo aircraft.
Leigh Edmonds little box of stuff 