The Dash 8 was the first of several new, efficient turboprop airliners developed during the 1980s. De Havilland Canada initiated development in of it 1980 as a replacement for the earlier four-engined Dash 7 turboprop airliner. First flight was in 1983, and the plane entered service in 1984.
All Dash 8s delivered from the second quarter of 1996 (including all Series 400s) include an active Noise and Vibration Suppression (NVS) system designed to reduce cabin noise and vibration levels to near those of jet airliners. To emphasize their quietness, Bombardier has renamed the Dash 8 models as the Q Series turboprops (Q100, Q200, Q300, and Q400).
Bombardier has singled out the Q400 for more agressive marketing, launching a website [1] (http://www.q400.com) centred around the aircraft.
Variants
There are several variants of the Dash 8.
Series 100: Original 37-40 passenger version that entered service in 1984
Series 200: Series 100 with more powerful engines for improved performance
Series 300: Stretched 50-56 passenger version that entered service in 1989
Series 400: Stretched and improved 70-78 passenger version that entered service in 2000
External links
Bombardier Q Series (http://www.bombardier.com/index.jsp?id=3_0&lang=en&file=/en/3_0/3_1/3_1_2.html)
Bombardier's de Havilland Dash8 has proven to be a popular player in the regional turboprop airliner market.
De Havilland Canada began development of the Dash8 in the late 1970s in response to what it saw as a considerable market demand for a new generation 30 to 40 seat commuter airliner.
In 1998 that was changed again to Dash8 Q200 when a new interior was introduced.
Other than their road numbers, the first Dash8 order on UP is easy to distinguish by the high sand fill located on the top of the rear of the radiator compartment.
Considering that the Dash8 was only introduced 2-1/2 years before, in late-1987, and the total numbers of locomotives built by all builders in the previous 15 years, 1,000 units of any locomotive model is truly noteworthy.
It was planned that by the time of their delivery, these General Electric Dash8 units would be joining the Morrison Knudsen 1,200 horsepower switchers and the EMD LNG-fueled SD60Ms 6364 and 6365 to form the first fleet of railroad units testing this promising new, and environmentally friendly fuel.
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