Armstrong Whitworth Ensign

The Armstrong Whitworth AW27 Ensign ( " flag " or " ensign " ) was a four-engine airliner by the British company Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft and provided space for forty passengers. It originated in the 1930s for the Imperial Airways, which started it on routes in Europe and Asia, which were continued with seaplanes to Australia and South Africa.

Construction and Development

Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft started in 1934 on request of the Imperial Airways with the development of AW27. The first aircraft was not appointed in September 1934, with delivery expected in 1936. 1935 extended the airline to order at eleven additional aircraft. Two other models were ordered in 1937.

The Ensign was a cantilever high-wing, for the construction of light metal alloys were used. The secured to the inner engine nacelles legs were hydraulically retractable, under the stern there was a tail wheel. The cockpit was designed for two pilots and a navigator. The passenger area consisted of several cabins. It could either 40 passengers are accommodated in four cabins, or were offered three cabins, which were during the day and 27 at night with record Sleeps 20 people.

Since production of the bomber Whitley for the Royal Air Force had priority, the development of the Ensign delayed. The production had to be moved in the workshops of Air Service Training Ltd in Hamble from the main plant in Coventry. By changing desires of Imperial Airways led to further delays. Consequently, the maiden flight took place only on 24 January 1938. Despite the low engine power, the aircraft was admitted in October 1938 and took the liner service between London and Paris.

Use

By Christmas 1938 three more Ensign were completed and were intended to bring the holiday mail to Australia. Due to technical problems, none of the three reached the target machine. Therefore all already built models received new, more powerful engines of the model Armstrong Siddeley Tiger IXC each with 634 kW as well as other improvements.

When war broke out in 1939 eleven machines were in use, a twelfth was on the verge of entry. In October, all machines were seized and led then by transport between London - Heston and Paris- Le Bourget. Three machines were in 1940 by enemy action lost. Another was damaged the German troops in his hands and was set after conversion to Daimler- Benz engines in service.

The last two machines from the Imperial Order received the more powerful Wright Cyclone radial engine and delivered as AW27A Ensign Mk 2. The new drive allowed the use at high temperatures and high altitudes. Between 1941 and 1943, all remaining Ensign have been converted to this engine.

The BOAC, the successor to the Imperial, put the aircraft then one on the routes between Africa and India. Had as one of these models make an emergency landing in West Africa, it came into the possession of the Vichy troops and was used only by the French, after re Ummotorisierung by the Luftwaffe. Of the remaining aircraft were parked some to serve as spare parts. The last flight took place in 1946 instead, the remaining seven Ensign were scrapped the following year.

Civilian users

Military user

  • Luftwaffe ( Wehrmacht )
  • Armée de l' Air de Vichy
  • Royal Air Force

Technical data ( A.W.27A )

Daimler-Benz
78432
de