In the mid-1980, Short brothers announced
the intention to develop a 'stretched' version of the Shorts 330
(originally SD3-30) which, with more than 60 ordered at that time, was
beginning to be regarded as a commercial success. However, the new shorts
360, as it was to be know, represents rather more than a simple fuselage
extension to accommodate an extra six passengers. The opportunity was
taken to introduce simultaneously more powerful and more economic engines.
Replacement of the twin fins and rudders of the Shorts 330 by a new tail
unit with the single fin and rudder, and to provide more baggage space.
The 'stretch' involves the insertion of a 3 ft 0 in (0.91 m) plug in the fuselage forward of the wings, but the changed lines of the aft fuselage to accept the new tail unit have extended the internal length of the cabin by 5ft 1 in (1.55 m), while the overall fuselage length is increased by 12 ft 5 1/2 in (3.80 m). The result of this is to transform the distinctive, but somewhat ugly duckling 330, into a far more graceful bird, although not all will agree that it can yet be called a swan.
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