G-ADSR, the first A.W.27, at Hamble before its first flight.
Echo with Cyclones, wartime national colours and Speedbird on the nose.
Ensign (nearest) and Everest, both camouflaged and with Wright Cyclones. On the outbreak of war the Ensigns began work with National Air Communications.
Ensign at Croydon in November 1938 after entry into service on the London-Paris route.
Great Britain’s reply to the highly developed four-engined transports nearing completion in America: The Armstrong Whitworth Ensign 42-seater with four 800 h.p. Siddeley Tiger IXs.
The first A.W.27 photographed during the summer of 1938.
Ensign on a test flight: G-ADSR made its 15min maiden flight on January 24, 1938, from Hamble.
This view of the first A.W.27 fuselage outside the Hamble works gives a vivid idea of the immense size of the machine. The overall length is 110ft. The higher level windows were those on the promenade deck.
Former Imperial Airways Armstrong Whitworth Ensign G-ADSV in BOAC wartime markings at Takoradi, West Africa
Explorer being refuelled at Takoradi while operating trans-Africa services.
Ensign at Croydon during its operations on the Paris route.
Elsinore at Croydon, with Ensign in the background.
View aft from the centre cabin of Ensign. The ladder led to the roof escape hatch.
Ensign over Le Bourget Airport.
