The Hawker Siddeley Trident was a British three-engined, short-to-medium-range airliner developed by de Havilland (later Hawker Siddeley). It first flew in 1962 and entered service in 1964 with British European Airways (BEA). Designed primarily for the European market, it was known for its sleek design, advanced avionics, and high cruising speed.
The Trident was one of the world's first airliners to feature a fully automatic landing system, a groundbreaking innovation that significantly enhanced its operational capability in adverse weather conditions. Its three Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines were mounted in the rear fuselage, giving it a clean wing design.
Despite its technological sophistication and initial success with BEA, the Trident struggled to gain a significant share of the international market, largely due to strong competition from American aircraft like the Boeing 727. It was also designed to meet specific BEA requirements, which made it less attractive to other airlines. Ultimately, 117 Tridents were built before production ceased in 1978.
