The Hawker Siddeley Group started designing the HS146 in 1973, along with Government support , but after the merger into BAC, that assistance had ceased leaving the project in some doubt. BAC decided to continue the aircraft as a low key private venture, but a great deal of time was lost and the eventual British Aerospace prototype 100 series G-SSSH did not fly until 3rd September 1981.

Designed for ultra quiet operation from very small airports, the 146 featured a high wing and, unusually for such a small aircraft, a four engine configuration. The small Textron Lycoming ALF 502 turbofans each giving 6,970 lb st thrust, very economical fuel burn and exceptional quietness. The large fin with high T-tail completed the unusual appearance. Short take off and landing was aided by large flaps and spoilers, as well as a split rear fuselage section that opened out as an airbrake. These design features allowed the aircraft to land in very short distances without the engines even having reverse thrust capability, further enhancing the quietness of its operation.

A series of variants was always planned and the larger 200 series with seating for 85-100 was in production at the same time as the 70-84 seat 100 series. The prototype 200, G-WISC, flew for the first time on 1st August 1982.
The 100 went into service with Dan-Air on 27th May 1983, with the 200 entering service with Air Wisconsin in June of the same year.
Despite its unique performance eventually winning it a good number of sales, the initial level of orders was slow to develop. There were a number of small orders with the only large one being placed by PSA in 1983 for 24 series 200 aircraft.
The first major order did not come until 1987 when 72 freight versions were ordered by TNT. The QT (Quiet Trader) version featured a large cargo door in the rear fuselage and could carry seven standard pallets (plus one smaller pallet) with a maximum payload of over 52,000 lb. The QC freighter version also featured an astonishingly quick passenger conversion of around 30 minutes, allowing the aircraft to be potentially used in a passenger role during the day and then a freighter role at night.
The night freighter role was ideal for the 146, as the four Lycoming engines made it one of the quietest operating aircraft in the world, jet or propeller, and this gave it a huge advantage in the more environment conscious age.
In fact a number of large airports granted the 146 excemption from the night curfew imposed on jet aircraft, giving it a major marketing boost.

More development, and further stretch, resulted in the 100-112 passenger 300 series which started service in December 1988.
In 1993 the whole range was rebranded as the Avro RJ (Regional Jetliner), with the RJ70, RJ85 and RJ100 replacing the 100, 200 & 300 series respectively. The new names relating to the minimum number of passengers carried by each version.
These aircraft shared the original 146 design, but with improvements to engines, avionics and interior. All equipment was also made common across the range meaning that airlines could consider each version as the same aircraft. The engines were the improved LF 507, manufactured now by Honeywell.
The RJ85 was the first in the RJ series, having previously been the most popular 200 series aircraft, and this entered service in April 1993, followed by the RJ100 and then the RJ70.
Sadly the final development, the Avro RJX never made it into service, although the prototype was completed the project was cancelled due to a downturn in the aviation industry.
The new aircraft was a major redevelopment, offering large improvements in fuel economy and the very latest in avionics technology.
The brand new RJX prototype is now a museum piece at the Manchester Aviation Viewing Park

(Article by David Maltby)

BAe 146 200 data
Accommodation: 2 Crew & 85-100 passengers
Engines: 4 Textron Lycoming (now Honeywell) ALF 502R-5
Span: 86ft 5in
Length: 93ft 10in
Gross weight: 93,000lb
Max payload: 20,950lb
Max cruise: 470 mph
Range: Typically 1175 miles