The move into aircraft repair was followed by a post-war venture into actual aircraft production and soon Scottish Aviation was producing two aircraft of its own design for the RAF. The Prestwick Pioneer and Twin Pioneer were used successfully in Malaya by the RAF, and were highly valued for their short take-off and landing capabilities.
Following on from the Pioneer, the company produced a highly successful training aircraft: the Bulldog. Over 300 of these planes were built and sold abroad to the likes of Sweden, Nigeria, Venezuela and Botswana. The company also continued its work in aircraft modification, and moved into other fields – building buses and caravans and even an experimental electric car.
In the late 1970s, the plant also began the manufacture of the successful jet trainer – the Jetstream, manufacturing over 400, and designing and building the second generation aircraft completely in house.
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