Cargo door

[Adam Frisch]

Wow!

Never seen a TC with a pilot door mod. Or that clamshell cargo door, either!

[JimC]

Does anyone know where I can find the tail or serial numbers of the 3 680FLs with cargo doors?

[donv]

That cargo door looks a lot like the one on the 680FL in this picture:

http://www.twincommandergroup.com/index.php?topic=116.msg12828#msg12828

When I worked line service in the early 1980s, we had a 680V freighter who came in every night with a pilot door. I can't remember what the cargo door looked like on that airplane. I don't think it pressurized, but I could be wrong. I know the pilot much preferred it to the turbine conversion 402 which they also had.

[JimC]

Found one. Still flying regularly in AU. I couldn't find a photo with both doors open, but they're clearly visible in photos and promoted in advertising materials. It has damage history - it hit a kangaroo in 1994. 



http://gamgroup.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/grand-commander.jpg

https://www.airhistory.net/photo/139566/VH-UJA

https://blueskysolutions.net.au/aircraft_portfolio/grand-commander-680/

GAM Group operates at least one 690A, three Shrikes, and two 680FLs.

Its sister ship, a 680FL with a regular door and IO-720s, is for sale on Controller.

https://www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/235287205/1965-commander-680fl-piston-twin-aircraft

[JimC]

There are at least two others - I'm going to try to find those as well.

One thing of note - this one does not have the door step, but the one in "Vintage Photos" does. It's possible that it was removed, especially after the animal damage.

[JimC]

Found another one - does anyone recognize the logo on the side? It's Spanish.

Note this one has the step, but VH-UJA does not.