Flyhistorisk Museum Sola · Civil aircraft
Aero Grand Commander 680FL
The aircraft’s closest relative is the American bomber Douglas A-20 Havoc from 1941. Engineers at the Douglas Aircraft Company used their spare time to develop a small business aircraft inspired by the bomber. The result was a small twin-engine aircraft named Aero Commander. President Dwight D. Eisenhower frequently used such an aircraft when flying from Washington D.C. to his ranch on weekends. In Norway, the type was used for aerial photography and by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority for oil spill response operations.
The first aircraft had seating for two pilots and up to seven passengers. The aircraft became particularly popular among business people and others who preferred to charter flights.
Development work on the aircraft began in 1944. That same year, the aircraft manufacturer
Aero Design and Engineering Company was established. In 1950, the company changed its name to Aero Commander Company.
In 1955, the US Air Force ordered 15 such aircraft. One of these became the first aircraft painted in the livery of Air Force One and was used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower for shorter flights within the United States.
The type underwent continuous development until 1986, when the final aircraft was built. The fuselage was lengthened, the cabin was pressurised, and the engines were changed from piston engines to turboprops.
THE MUSEUM’S AIRCRAFT
The aircraft on display here is a Grand Commander 680FL from 1964. It has seating for two pilots and eleven passengers. It was first operated in Canada and the United States before arriving in Norway in 1972. The first Norwegian owner was Nor-Fly. It was taken over by Fjellanger- Widerøe in 1973.
The aircraft was flown to the museum on 31 May 1989, the same day its certificate of airworthiness expired. The yellow cylinder on the underside is a replica of the radar antenna that was installed on the aircraft when it was used on missions for the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority.
Specifications
- Type
- Business aircraft
- First flight
- 1962
- Length
- 12,6 m
- Wingspan
- 13,4 m
- Height
- 4,4 m
- Weight, empty / maximum
- 2470 / 3855 kg
- Engine
- 2x Lycoming IGSO-540
- Engine power
- 380 hp
- Maximum speed
- 385 km/h
- Range
- 2100 km
- Crew
- 2x pilot
- Passenger capacity
- 11
- Country of origin
- USA
- Museum number
- FMSG2011.23.01
