Short C-23 Sherpa – Fotos e Vídeo

O Curto C-23 Sherpa is a small twin-engine military transport aircraft built by Short Brothers of Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK). It is a military adaptation of the civil Short 330 and Short 360 regional airliners.

It was specifically designed for the European Distribution System Aircraft (EDSA) role to efficiently shuttle spare parts in Western Europe during the Cold War. Its key features are its STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) capability and its characteristic large, square-section fuselage with a full-width rear cargo door/ramp, which allows easy loading of bulky items.

• C-23A Sherpa: Based on the Short 330 airliner, primarily used by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for the EDSA program.
• C-23B Sherpa: New-build aircraft for the U.S. Army National Guard, featuring cabin windows and more powerful engines.
• C-23B+ Super Sherpa: Modified from second-hand Short 360 airliners by replacing the single tail with the twin-tail and cargo ramp of the C-23.
• Primary Role: Intra-theater airlift, cargo and personnel transport, airdrops, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).

The unique square cross-section of its fuselage is its most distinctive feature, designed to accommodate standard-size military cargo units.