BAe 146 variant
BAe 146 BAe 146STA
A proposed side-loading tactical military transport with a refuelling probe and an air-openable paratroop door. Only a demonstrator flew.
Image pending
History
Throughout the 146's production life British Aerospace proposed several military versions — side- and rear-loading transports, a tanker and a carrier onboard delivery aircraft — and of them all only the 146STA (Sideloading Tactical Airlifter) took shape. It was based on the 146QT freighter and kept its cargo door on the left side of the rear fuselage, adding a refuelling probe on the nose and an air-openable paratroop door. The demonstrator, fitted with a dummy probe, was displayed at the 1989 Paris Air Show and toured extensively, but attracted not a single order.