"In 1979 SaabScania of Sweden and Fairchild in the USA reached an agreement to conduct joint feasibility and development studies on a 30 to 40 seat commuter airliner. The resulting SF340 design was launched in September 1980 with the aim of capturing 25 to 30% of its market. Within the 65/35 SaabFairchild partnership split Saab was responsible for the fuselage, fin and final assembly, while Fairchild was responsible for the wings, engine nacelles and empennage. The two companies selected the General Electric CT7 (a commercial development of the T700 which powers Sikorsky's S70 series of military helicopters) to power the new airliner. The first of three SF340 prototypes first flew on January 25 1983, while the first production aircraft flew in early March 1984. US and European certification was awarded that June. From November 1 1985 Saab assumed overall responsibility for the SF340 following Fairchild's decision to divest itself of its aircraft divisions."
Awesome Base Textures and Repaint by G. La Cruz
