
Описание
Страна : Великобритания
Год : 1938
Four-engined air-liner for Imperial Airways
Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.27 Ensign (UK)
The Ensign class of airliner was designed to an Imperial Airways specification for a new aircraft capable of carrying a large number of passengers and mail over the land sections of the Empire routes to South Africa and Australia. In the event the aircraft was proposed in two forms: the 40-seat 'European' or ‘Western’ (with 12 passengers in the front cabin, 4 in the card room, 12 in the middle cabin and 12 in the rear cabin, plus 3 toilets) and the 27-seat ‘Empire’ or ‘Eastern’(with 3 cabins and 2 toilets) which could also be configured as a 20-passenger sleeper. Both versions were externally similar, being shoulderwing monoplanes with the four 596 kW (800 hp) Armstrong Siddeley Tiger IX radial engines mounted in the leading edges of the wings. The fuselage was long and slim and a retractable undercarriage was fitted, each main leg carrying a single large Dunlop wheel.
The first A.W.27 flew on 23 January 1938 and from October it flew the London-Paris service. Production was slow, mainly because of the company’s heavy commitment to the manufacture of bombers for the RAF, but nevertheless three others were completed in time for mail-carrying flights to Australia in late 1938. However, due to engine troubles, all broke down well short of their goal. The sixth production A.W .27 was fitted with 637 kW (855 hp) Tiger IXC engines driving new de Havilland three-blade constant-speed propellers, and had a modified tail unit. This arrangement subsequently became standard on all the AAV.27s.
With the outbreak of World War II the A.W.27s were used to ferry RAF personnel initially to France and then between RAF stations within the UK. During this period several were destroyed or damaged by German fighters. In 1941 the surviving aircraft were re-engined with 671 kW (900 hp) Wright R-1820-G Cyclone radials and were known as A.W.27A Ensign Mk IIs. With the end of the war the airliners were scrapped. Altogether 14 A.W.27s had been built.
Data: Engines as above Wing span 37.49 m (123 ft 0 in) Length 34.8 m (114 ft 0 in) Max T-O weight (Mk II) 23,813 kg (52,500 lb) Max level speed 338 km/h (210 mph) Normal range (in still air) 2,205 km (1,370 miles)
Описание:
- Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation
- Flight, April 1937
SALUTE to the ENSIGN - Flight, October 1938
British Commercial Aircraft - Flight, November 1939
Britain's Civil Aircraft
Фотографии
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Мировая Авиация 83
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] 24 октября 1938г.: "Imperial Airways" начала эксплуатацию пассажирского авиалайнера Armstrong Whitworth AW.27 (27-40). Самолет RMA Ensign (G-ADSR) появился на авиалинии Лондон - Париж.
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Jane's All the World Aircraft 1980 / Encyclopedia of Aviation - Aircraft A-Z - v2
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Armstrong Whitworth Ensign.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1985-05 / A.Lumsden, T.Heffernan - Probe Probare (12)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] The size of the Ensign s massive undercarriage is apparent in this photograph of G-ADSR
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Aeroplane Monthly 1988-07 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Ensign at Croydon during its operations on the Paris route.
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Flight 1938-04 / Flight Advertisements
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] -
Air Enthusiast 1972-02 / ??? - The End of an Era
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] -
Flight 1938-10 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] ENSIGN, the first of the imposing new class for Imperial Airways, arrived at Croydon last week. That worthy veteran Scylla can be glimpsed in the background.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: Short Scylla / L.17 - Великобритания - 1934
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Flight 1938-04 / Flight Advertisements
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] -
Aeroplane Monthly 1988-07 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] G-ADSR, the first A.W.27, at Hamble before its first flight.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Sister company Armstrong Siddeley not only made fine aero engines at the Parkside plant in Coventry but excellent cars and the appearance of G-ADSR ‘Ensign’ was used to great effect in marketing the latter.
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Flight 1938-12 / Flight Advertisements
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Imperial Airways introduces the first of its fleet of fourteen new Ensign air liners - the biggest in Europe and the most comfortable in the world. Observation corridor, smoking cabin and kitchen aboard. Four engines for security, and London-Paris 80 minutes’ flying
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Flight 1938-07 / Flight Advertisements
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Другие самолёты на фотографии: Airspeed Viceroy / AS.8 - Великобритания - 1934
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Aeroplane Monthly 1988-07 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Ensign at Croydon in November 1938 after entry into service on the London-Paris route.
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Flight 1938-05 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] OUT AND UP. This unusual picture by a Flight photographer shows the Armstrong Whitworth Ensign tucking-up ner wheels as she takes off from her makers’ aerodrome. She was due to go to Martlesham yesterday.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-03 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (1)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] -
Aeroplane Monthly 1979-03 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (1)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] The first flight of the first Ensign. G-ADSR rises from Hamble on January 24, 1938, piloted by C.K.Turner-Hughes.
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Air Enthusiast 1972-02 / ??? - The End of an Era
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] An interesting picture of the Ensign flagship G-ADSR over Southampton water, with the fabric covering of the wing behind the box spar clearly visible.
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Flight 1938-01 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] G-ADSR: Last Monday morning the huge Armstrong Whitworth Ensign, first of the new 42-seaters for Imperial Airways, made her first flight, Flt. Lt. C. K. Turner-Hughes and F/O. Eric Greenwood taking her off from the A.S.T. Aerodrome, at Hamble, for an uneventful and satisfactory 15-minute flight. The machine, which is of 123ft. span, has four Armstrong Siddeley 800 h.p. 14-cylinder Tiger IXs.
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Jane's All the World Aircraft 1938 / 03 - All the world's aeroplanes
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] The Armstrong Whitworth "Ensign" Imperial Air-liner (four Armstrong Siddeley "Tiger" engines) seen from below.
A low-wing configuration was originally preferred, but the high wing was finally chosen for passenger appeal. The Ensign was Britain's largest pre-war airliner. -
Flight 1938-03 / Flight Advertisements
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] HOFFMANN. The 4 Armstrong Siddeley Tiger engines of the new "ENSIGN" planes by Messrs. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Co. Ltd. are fitted with these bearings
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Flight 1939-11 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] The Armstrong Whitworth Ensign is one of the largest transport land planes now flying, having a span of 123 ft. and a loaded weight of 46,500 lb.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-03 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (1)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] The first AW 27, G-ADSR Ensign, did not enter airline service until October 24, owing to repeated modifications for Imperial Airways.
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Air Enthusiast 1972-02 / ??? - The End of an Era
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] With the wing set at a positive angle of incidence on the fuselage, the Ensign adopted a distinct nose-down attitude in cruising flight, as shown clearly in this early photograph of the first aircraft.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1988-07 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Ensign on a test flight: G-ADSR made its 15min maiden flight on January 24, 1938, from Hamble.
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Flight 1938-05 / Flight Advertisements
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] -
Aeroplane Monthly 1985-05 / A.Lumsden, T.Heffernan - Probe Probare (12)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] This shot of G-ADSR was taken during flight tests in the spring of 1938.
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Aviation Historian 24 / R.Pegram - Imperial Airways. The 1930s: a cause for concern?
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] HANDED OVER: The Armstrong-Whitworth Ensign has now been delivered to Imperial Airways. Flight’s chief photographer, who secured the picture here, remarks that coming up alongside the vast length of Ensign is suggestive of overtaking an express train. Nose to tail, she measures 114 ft.
Almost twice the size of its Atalanta predecessor, the Armstrong Whitworth AW.27 Ensign made ts first flight on January 24, 1938. Capable of accommodating up to 27 passengers, the type incorporated a retractable undercarriage and was certainly a step in the right direction for Imperial in terms of modernising its equipment. -
Aeroplane Monthly 1974-05 / P.Moss - Wings for the Empire (5)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] The first Armstrong Whitworth A.W.27, G-ADSR Ensign, flying over Coventry in April 1938.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-04 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (2)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] A fine study of G-ADSR in its early days
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Problematical though the AW.27 may have been, it was undoubtedly an attractive-looking machine when the undercarriage did eventually retract and it got to height!
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Flight 1938-09 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] READY: Imperial Airways should very shortly be taking delivery of the first of the fourteen A.W. Ensigns, which appear to be well up on contracted performance and payload. This is a photograph of the first of the series taken on an early test flight.
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Flight 1939-06 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Now returning in series to service with Imperial Airways, the A.W. Ensign is the largest civil aeroplane at present in use. The Tiger engines have an increased power for take-off which, with constant speed airscrews, gives an initial rate of climb, with full load, of 800 ft./min.
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Flight 1939-04 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] FOUR-ENGINED FASHIONS: the Armstrong-Whitworth Ensign.
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Jane's All the World Aircraft 1946 / 03 - All the world's aeroplanes
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] The Armstrong Whitworth Ensign Commercial Transport in its original form with four Armstrong Siddeley Tiger engines.
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Flight 1938-03 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] HOISTED: The photograph shows another stage in the flight-testing of the A.W. Ensign (four 880 h.p. Siddeley Tiger IX): she is seen with her wheels retracted. Each Lockheed undercarriage is retracted by two hydraulic jacks which have an extended length of seven feet; they are believed to be the largest yet built.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1988-07 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] 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. -
Aeroplane Monthly 1979-03 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (1)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] -
Aeroplane Monthly 1979-04 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (2)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] G-ADSR passes over Purley Way on approach to Croydon Airport,
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Aeroplane Monthly 1985-05 / A.Lumsden, T.Heffernan - Probe Probare (12)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] G-ADSR as it approaches to land with everything dangling.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1985-05 / A.Lumsden, T.Heffernan - Probe Probare (12)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] G-ADSR at Hamble before its first flight. In the background on the left is the A.W.23 bomber-transport prototype, K3585.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: Armstrong Whitworth A.W.23 - Великобритания - 1935
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] ‘Ensign ’, the prototype AW.27, is lent scale by the large crowd gathered, presumably at the roll out, January 1938. It carries neither its name nor Imperial Airways lettering.
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Flight 1938-03 / Flight Advertisements
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Britain's biggest air liner is equipped with Siddeley engines cowled with fairing rings by Northern Aircraft & Engineering Products, Ltd. In the background of the photograph is the “Whitley” bomber, also fitted with our cowlings.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: Armstrong Whitworth Whitley / A.W.38 - Великобритания - 1936
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-03 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (1)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] -
Flight 1938-02 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Proportion: The first A.W. Ensign, now at Coventry, with a few attendants from the A.S.T. school fleet at Hamble.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: Avro Cadet / Type 631/643 - Великобритания - 1932
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-03 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (1)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57], G-ADSS [5], G-ADST [7], G-ADSU [6], G-ADSY [4] A Miles Magister lends scale to five Ensigns awaiting modification in 1939. Front to rear, Ensign, Elsinore, Euterpe, Egeria and Empyrean.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: Miles M.14 Magister - Великобритания - 1937
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Air Enthusiast 1972-02 / ??? - The End of an Era
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57], G-ADSS [5], G-ADST [7], G-ADSU [6], G-ADSY [4] Problems with the original Tiger engines dogged the early operations of the Ensign fleet; all five in this picture were at Hamble with work going on to rectify the engine problems.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] As with the remainder of the fleet, with wartime came camouflage and the 'underlining' of the registration letters in red, white and blue. ‘Ensign’ joined BOAC in April 1940 and was converted to Mk II status. After only 2,099 hours flying time, it was withdrawn at Almaza, Cairo, in September 1944 and eventually scrapped there.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1981-07 / Whitchurch /Gone but not forgotten/ (10)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] Ensign G-ADSR running up at Whitchurch
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-03 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (1)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSS [5] The second Ensign was G-ADSS Egeria, which made its first flight on May 26, 1938. It was scrapped at Hamble in April 1947.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1985-05 / A.Lumsden, T.Heffernan - Probe Probare (12)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSS [5] G-ADSS Egeria, the second Ensign, attracts some local interest as it crosses the road at Hamble on the way to taxying tests in 1938.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1990-12 / P.Jarrett - Elsinore shows her colours
Регистрационный номер : G-ADST [7] Elsinore in Imperial Airways livery at Croydon in November 1938. In the background stands D.H.91 Albatross G-AFDI Frobisher.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: De Havilland Albatross / D.H.91 - Великобритания - 1937
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-03 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (1)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADST [7] A pre-war photograph of Elsinore, the third AW 27, at Hamble. It was accepted by Imperial Airways on November 7, 1938, and survived until March 1947.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1990-12 / P.Jarrett - Elsinore shows her colours
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSS [5], G-ADST [7], G-ADSU [6], G-ADSX [5], G-ADSY [4] Elsinore in company with Ettrick, Euterpe, Egeria and Empyrean.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1990-12 / P.Jarrett - Elsinore shows her colours
Регистрационный номер : G-ADST [7] -
Aeroplane Monthly 1988-07 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace
Регистрационный номер : G-ADST [7] A pre-war photograph of Elsinore at Croydon, with the prototype A.W.27 Ensign in the background.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1974-05 / P.Moss - Wings for the Empire (5)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSU [6] AW27 G-ADSU Euterpe takes on mail at Croydon.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-03 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (1)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSU [6] G-ADSU Euterpe was originally allocated the Indian registration VT-AJF and the name Everest, but neither was used.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1988-07 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSV [2] 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. -
Air Enthusiast 1994-09 / A.Wood - Airline at War
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSV [2] AW Ensign II G-ADSV Explorer of BOAC at Takoradi, circa 1943. Wellingtons in the background and a most impressive refuelling truck in the foreground.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: Vickers Wellington / Type 271 - Великобритания - 1936
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Flight 1939-07 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSW [4] Before and after the passage of a warm front. In the better weather conditions of the late afternoon, the A. W. Eddystone prepares to return to Croydon.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1985-05 / A.Lumsden, T.Heffernan - Probe Probare (12)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSW [4] The sixth Ensign off the production line, G-ADSW Eddystone, went to Martlesham for testing at the end of April 1939.
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Air Enthusiast 1996-07 / Round-Out
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSW [4] Another view of G-EBIA during the skeletal existence with Armstrong Whitworth. Ensign I G-ADSW ‘Eddystone’ provides scale,
Другие самолёты на фотографии: RAF S.E.5 - Великобритания - 1916
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Flight 1939-08 / Flight
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSW [4] Three Redhill V.R. Fairey Battles with the Sabena Douglas D.C.3 and the good Imperial “E” class ship Eddystone making the foreground.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - США - 1935Fairey Battle - Великобритания - 1936
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-03 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (1)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSX [5] Croydon scene just before the war. In this view are the A.W.27s Ettrick, Elysian, Elsinore, Eddystone and Explorer, the D.H.91s Frobisher and Falcon, the H.P.45 Horatius and the Short L.17 Syrinx. Just visible in the background is a Junkers-Ju 90.
Imperial Airways airliners grounded at Croydon during the last month of peace had to stand in the open. Behind G-ADSX Ettrick can be seen G-ADSZ Elysian and G-ADST Elsinore.Другие самолёты на фотографии: De Havilland Albatross / D.H.91 - Великобритания - 1937Handley Page H.P.42 / H.P.45 - Великобритания - 1930Junkers Ju.90 - Германия - 1937Short Scylla / L.17 - Великобритания - 1934
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-04 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (2)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSY [4] G-ADSY Empyrean after modification to Mark 2 standard.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1989-10 / Personal album. Civil
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSZ [2] Ensign G-ADSZ Elysian was first flown in June 1939 and is seen here during its early days of service.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-04 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (2)
Регистрационный номер : VT-AJG Although it bore the Indian registration VT-AJG early in its life, G-ADTA Euryalus soon reverted to all-British markings.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-04 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (2)
Регистрационный номер : G-ADTB [4] G-ADTB Echo first flew on August 30, 1939, and survived until March 1947.
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Air Enthusiast 1972-02 / ??? - The End of an Era
Регистрационный номер : G-ADTB [4] Photographed at Hurn in 1946, G-ADTB displays the final form of finish and markings carried by Ensigns during the last few months of service in Africa and for their return to the UK for scrapping.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1988-07 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace
Регистрационный номер : G-ADTB [4] Echo with Cyclones, wartime national colours and Speedbird on the nose.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1974-05 / P.Moss - Wings for the Empire (5)
Frobisher and a pair of Ensigns at Croydon.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: De Havilland Albatross / D.H.91 - Великобритания - 1937
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Flight 1939-08 / Flight
IN SERVICE: The first Junkers Ju.90 to be seen in this country arrived on the normal Berlin-London run on August 1. The impressive size of this forty-seater is shown by the relative smallness of the Marcel Bloch on the right. The “accident” on the left is merely a group of Imperial machines, including two Frobisher-class and one Ensign-class liner. The Ju.90’s tail unit is interestingly complicated.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: Bloch MB.220 - Франция - 1936De Havilland Albatross / D.H.91 - Великобритания - 1937Junkers Ju.90 - Германия - 1937
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Air Enthusiast 2006-09 / A.Ord-Hume - Folland's Civil Side /Paper planes/
Perhaps because its designer was an Egyptian national, Helmy Aerogypt G-AFFG continued its development through the war. Illustrated is its Mk.III incarnation, last flown in September 1940. Work started again in 1943 when it became the Mk.IV with tricycle undercarriage. There is an AW Ensign in the background
Другие самолёты на фотографии: Helmy Aerogypt - Египет - 1939
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Aeroplane Monthly 1976-03 / H.Levy - Middle East exiles
Регистрационный номер : G-AFZU [4] After being re-engined with Wright Cyclone engines - identified by the shorter chord of the cowlings - the Ensigns were painted in a uniform type before being transferred to the Middle East for service with BOAC. These pictures show the camouflaged upper surfaces and the civil registrations, which were retained together with the BOAC "Speedbird" emblem and aircraft name on the nose.
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.27 Ensign G-AFZU Everest at Heliopolis, Egypt, in 1943. Everest survived being shot up by a Heinkel He 111 over Biscay during a ferry flight on November 9, 1941, and had logged 2,406 flying hours when il was finally scrapped at Hamble in April 1947. It was used on a shuttle service linking East and West African ports. -
Aeroplane Monthly 1979-04 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (2)
Регистрационный номер : G-AFZU [4] Everest in camouflage at Bramcote in 1941.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1990-11 / Personal album. Civil
Регистрационный номер : G-AFZU [4] Armstrong Whitworth Ensign 2 G-AFZU Everest, photographed at Lydda in February 1945. First flown in June 1941, this aircraft was delivered to BOAC and was shot at by a Heinkel He 111 in the Bay of Biscay on November 9, 1941. In company with the other Ensign 2, G-AFZV, the aircraft flew a shuttle service between East and West African ports during the war. Later it is alleged to have fallen into German hands. G-AFZU was finally scrapped at Hamble on April 16, 1947. Although construction of ’ZU began in 1939, the war delayed its completion until 1941, when the Ensign was fitted with four 950 h.p. Wright Cyclone radial engines in place of the standard Armstrong Siddeley Tigers fitted to earlier Ensigns.
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Air Enthusiast 2000-11 / G.Warner - Founding Fathers (2)
Регистрационный номер : G-AFZV [5] A W Ensign G-AFZV 'Enterprise' in camouflage. The type provided essential airlift capacity as the war started.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1988-07 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57], G-AFZU [4] Ensign (nearest) and Everest, both camouflaged and with Wright Cyclones. On the outbreak of war the Ensigns began work with National Air Communications.
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Air Enthusiast 1972-02 / ??? - The End of an Era
Регистрационный номер : G-AFZV [5] After its forced landing in French West Africa in 1942, G-AFZV, the final Ensign II, was taken to Dakar for repair by Vichy French personnel. There, the registration was changed to F-AFZV as a temporary expedient, but it later became F-BAHO after transfer to France.
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Aviation Historian 21 / P.Ricco - Flag of Convenience
Регистрационный номер : G-AFZV [5] Back on its undercarriage again, the Ensign has had its interim French civil registration applied with the simple substitution of the British "G" prefix letter with a French “F”. One of the chief problems facing the groundcrew tasked with maintaining the big British airliner was the availability of spare tyres for the mainwheels, which were an impressive 6ft 3in (1-9m) in diameter. Happily for the crews, a cache of spares was located in Paris.
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Aviation Historian 21 / P.Ricco - Flag of Convenience
Регистрационный номер : G-AFZV [5] -
Aviation Historian 21 / P.Ricco - Flag of Convenience
Регистрационный номер : G-ADSR [57] A hive of activity, the Ensign is seen here at Agadir in 1942. Back in the UK, the inquiry into the Ensign’s loss concluded that, lacking any accurate measuring equipment, the crew had pumped too much oil into the engines from the auxiliary oil tanks fitted for the flight, resulting in the extensive oil leaks off the African coast.
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Aviation Historian 21 / P.Ricco - Flag of Convenience
Регистрационный номер : F-BAHD [5] Stripped of its British camouflage down to a bare-metal finish, the Ensign is seen here having its engines run up at Ouakam in French West Africa (now Senegal) in 1942. The aircraft’s official registration, F-BAHD, has been applied and tricolour stripes added to the rudder, wings and aft fuselage, along with a large “F” on the fin.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1979-04 / R.Williams - Ensigns for the Empire (2)
Регистрационный номер : F-BAHD [5] G-AFZV served with Air France as F-AFZV and, as seen here, F-BAHO.
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Aviation Historian 21 / P.Ricco - Flag of Convenience
Регистрационный номер : F-BAHD [5] Bearing Air France’s distinctive winged seahorse logo on the forward fuselage ahead of the company’s legend, as well as its name in French service, Nouakchott, on the nose, Ensign Mk II F-BAHD (not F-BAHO as stated in some sources) is prepared for another flight at Agadir, Morocco, in 1942, before its withdrawal to France.
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Aviation Historian 21 / P.Ricco - Flag of Convenience
Регистрационный номер : F-BAHD [5] Showing its shapely fuselage to good advantage, the Ensign sits on the ramp beside the hangar at Marignane, near Marseille, in 1942. That November the Ensign was moved for the final time to Montaudran, near Toulouse.
It is now doubtful that A.W.27 Ensign G-AFZV saw service with the Luftwaffe after its capture in France, where it became F-BAHD. -
Aviation Historian 21 / P.Ricco - Flag of Convenience
Регистрационный номер : F-BAHD [5] The Ensign beside the modest terminal building at Agadir. Although the type was remarkably aerodynamically clean for its day, it was heavy on the controls, with a poor rate of climb, and pilots found it extremely tiring to fly for long periods. Indeed, wartime BOAC Ensign pilots frequently lobbied their superiors to have the type replaced in service as soon as possible.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1981-07 / Whitchurch /Gone but not forgotten/ (10)
Armstrong Whitworth Ensigns, 2 Lockheed 14 and a D.H.95 Flamingo at Whitchurch during the early part of the last war.
Другие самолёты на фотографии: De Havilland Flamingo / D.H.95 - Великобритания - 1938Lockheed Super Electra 14 - США - 1937
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Flight 1938-12 / Flight
The largest retractable undercarriage unit in the world, as fitted to the Armstrong Whitworth Ensign transport used by Imperial Airways.
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Aeroplane Monthly 1988-07 / J.Stroud - Wings of Peace
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.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
Manoeuvring the fuselage of what is believed to be No.1 from its jigs and into the main assembly hall - with the river that gave the aerodrome its name in the background. Note the jury-rigged wheels to move the stressed skin monocoque fuselage around, with the ‘main wheels’ attached to where the spar would sit.
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Flight 1937-11 / Flight
The Armstrong Whitworth Ensign - the first of a large order for Imperial Airways - comes out for an engine run.
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Flight 1937-11 / Flight
SNIFFING THE BREEZE: The first of the eagerly awaited Armstrong Whitworths of the Ensign class appeared outside the Hamble works last week-end in an almost finished condition. Twelve of these huge 42-seaters, of 123ft. span, were ordered by Imperial Airways. Four 800 h.p. fourteen-cylinder Tiger IX radials supply the power to lift more than 20 to <...> weight.
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Flight 1937-11 / Flight
FULL-SIZED: Some idea of the size of the A.W. Ensign and, in particular, of the retractable undercarriage legs and wheels, may be gathered from this Flight photograph.
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Flight 1937-04 / Flight
FINDING ITS LEGS: The main spar and undercarriage are now in place on the first of the Armstrong Whitworth Ensigns for Imperial Airways. The undercarriage is the largest retractable type in the world and is of Armstrong Whitworth design and production, except for the Lockheed hydraulic rams.
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Air Enthusiast 1972-02 / ??? - The End of an Era
The first Ensign taking shape at Hamble, showing the all-metal wing torsion box and the main undercarriage attachment.
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Flight 1937-04 / Flight
Literally "man's size," the Lockheed hydraulic undercarriage jacks, of which there are four, measure 54 in. in their closed position and 84 in. extended.
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Flight 1937-04 / Flight
The Ensilage: Another view, taken in the shops, which gives an excellent idea of the massive proportions of the stressed skin body.
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Flight 1937-04 / Flight
The after end: the fin skeleton.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
Work in progress on the tail section, August 18, 1937. The A W.27 was 23ft (7.01m) high when sitting on its tailwheel.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
July 7, 1937 and work on the first Ensign (c/n 1156, the flagship G-ADSR) is well under way. At this point the 123ft (37.49m) monster was 202 days from first flight. Note the access platforms, an ad hoc collection of scaffolding poles and wooden beams. The port out Armstrong Siddeley Tiger IXC has been ‘hung’.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
A view of No.1 also on July 7, 1937, this time from behind the trailing edge of the port wing.- the film speed in the camera not coping with the movements of the workforce even though it appears most of them have been ‘tipped off’ and told to ‘hold it’! From the aft face of the huge box spar the wing was to be fabric covered.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
A view from the front of No.1, taken on August 18, 1937 showing the workbenches for detail assembly and rectification in the foreground. All four Tigers are now in place, with the outer two cowled. Fuel tanks occupied the leading edges between the engines, between the inner engines and the wing root and outboard of the outer Tigers.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
A view of the assembly shop, July 7, 1937. The huge, bridge-like inner portion of the main spar has been settled into place on the fuselage of No.2 (c/n 1157 G-ADSS at that point destined for Indian Trans-Continental Airways as VT-AJE ‘Ellora’) while the starboard out section of spar is readied for mating up. To the right is the nose section of what is believed to be No.3.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
Work in hand on the port wing of No.5, February 2, 1938. Two engine bearers in the foreground on the plank work platform, while the outer leading edge tank has been installed.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
The spar of No.5 (c/n 1160 G-ADSV ‘Explorer’) under assembly. Such a construction would not have looked out of place in a shipyard! In the foreground are jig tables for the oval-section fuselage frames and for the moving flying surfaces. The wooden balcony in the background was where the ‘looking down’ shot of the spars was taken from.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
Wing spars lying in their forming up jigs. The spar was built in three parts (centre and two outers) and was made from light alloy with internal bracing. Behind to the right is a fuselage under way and in the background to the left the oval section frames that made up the fuselage are on their wooden pattern jigs.
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Air Enthusiast 1972-02 / ??? - The End of an Era
The assembly line for front fuselages, with four aircraft in various stages of completion.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
Work under way on the wing spar of No.6 (c/n 1161 G-ADSW ‘Eddystone’), August 18, 1937. The box spar format and internally-braced structure is evident - as is the depth of the spar, witness the man standing in it!
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Flight 1937-04 / Flight
One of the wings of tie Ensign, in which corrugated metal sheeting forms the upper and lower sides of the single box spar. The covering is partly of metal and partly of fabric. Only the leading-edge formers are in place in this view.
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Air Enthusiast 1997-05 / R.Bonser, K.Ellis - Cuckoo in the Nest
The port wing of No.1, taken September 24, 1937. In the foreground can be seen was the largest pre-1939 aircraft tyre - all 6ft 3in (1.9m) diameter of the mainwheel. The huge main undercarriage construction retracted rearwards into the wing and was designed to do so it what must have been an agonising 90 seconds during the climb out. Try as Armstrong Whitworth and Automotive Products (who made the hydraulic jacks for the undercarriage and other functions in the Ensign) might, this time was seldom achieved and the legs were determined to retract asymmetrically.
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Flight 1937-01 / Flight
Inside the fuselage. The longitudinal stringers are continuous and are joggled into the frames. The floor beam supports take the form of girders of tubular construction.
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Flight 1937-01 / Flight
(Left) The "Office": Note the two control columns, ready for their wheels, and the hanging rudder pedals. The tail-trimming wheel is seen in the centre, at floor level. (Right) A view inside the forward cabin, looking towards the pilots' cockpit.
Тип фотографий