499:; according to aviation author Ray Williams, the type was only used ever used as a bomber on two occasions. Accordingly, later built aircraft were configured as transports, called either "General Transport" (GT) or "Special Transport" (ST). Amongst the modifications made was the elimination of the ventral turret, while the dorsal unit was downgraded to a manually-operated twin gun arrangement; the internal space was heavily altered by the elimination of bomb-aiming apparatus and the rear fuselage tank. Additions also included a quick-release hook, installed at the rearmost part of the fuselage for the towing of
31:
999:
586:
746:
769:
315:
economical cruise while carrying 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) of bombs. Bristol was already busy with other aircraft production and development and stopped work on the 155. Changes in policy made the Air Staff reconsider the
Albemarle as principally a reconnaissance aircraft capable of carrying out bombing. Among other effects, this meant more fuel to give a 4,000 mi (6,400 km) range. An upper dorsal turret and a (retractable) ventral turret for downward firing were added.
419:. The structure was intentionally divided in order that it might readily permit individual sections to be removed and replaced in the event of battle damage being sustained. The centre section of the wing was a single piece that ran through the fuselage, being built around a steel tube girder; it formed the attachment points for the central and nose fuselage sections, as well as the engines, main undercarriage legs, and extension wings. Aside from a portion of the
454:, the main wheels retracting back into the engine nacelles, and the nose wheel retracting backwards into the front fuselage, while the tail wheel was fixed in position, albeit semi-concealed by a "bumper" configuration. It was one of the particularly notable design features of the Albemarle, according to Tapper, it was the first British-built aircraft with a retractable nose-wheel to be built in quantity for the
570:, one to German fighters and the other to unknown causes. Tests of the surviving Albemarles revealed their weaknesses as transports (notably the cramped interior) and numerous technical flaws; in May 1943, the Soviet government suspended deliveries and eventually cancelled them in favour of abundant American
274:, in order that the aircraft could be readily built by less experienced manufacturers from outside the aircraft industry. Furthermore, the envisioned aircraft had to be engineered in a manner that would allow it to be divided into relatively compact subsections, all of which had to fit on to a standard
482:
The two pilots sat side by side in the forward portion of the cockpit, while the radio operator was seated behind the pilots. The navigator's position was in the aircraft's nose, and thus was forward of the cockpit. The bomb aimer's sighting panel was incorporated into the crew hatch in the underside
343:
was damaged after a forced landing during the test flight programme, but was promptly repaired. Early flights of the type by test pilots typically described it as being relatively average and being free of flaws. A number of modifications were made to the design during this late stage of development,
314:
In June 1938, mock-ups of both the AW.41 and
Bristol 155 were examined, while revised specifications B.17/38 and B.18/38 were drawn up for the respective designs; de Havilland opted against submitting a design. The specification stipulated 250 mph (400 km/h) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
609:, on the night of 5/6 June 1944. 295 and 296 Squadrons sent aircraft to Normandy with the pathfinder force, and 295 Squadron claimed to be the first squadron to drop Allied airborne troops over Normandy. On 6 June 1944, four Albemarle squadrons and the operational training unit sent aircraft during
323:
In
October 1938, 200 aircraft were ordered "off the drawing board" (i.e. without producing a prototype). The aircraft had a positive reputation and there were initially high hopes for its performance, however it never quite lived up to expectations. Furthermore, according to aviation author Oliver
487:
design, which was electrically operated and originally armed with four
Browning machine guns. A fairing forward of the turret automatically retracted as the turret rotated to fire forwards. The original bomber configuration of the Albemarle required a crew of six including two gunners; one in the
516:) and possessing inferior performance to the new generation four-engined heavy bombers that were also about to enter service with the RAF. However, the aircraft was considered to be suitable for general reconnaissance and transport duties, and thus was re-orientated towards such missions.
278:
to facilitate the adoption of a dispersed manufacturing strategy. At the time, the Air
Ministry was particularly concerned that, in the event of a major conflict arising, there would be restrictions on the supply of critical materials that could undermine mass production efforts.
324:
Tapper, the brief was a relatively difficult one for any company to fulfil. Initially, physical work centred around the construction of a pair of lead aircraft, which were to be test flown prior to the commencement of full-rate manufacture of the type. The first
Albemarle,
837:, RAF Stoney Cross and then RAF Brize Norton. Albemarle II from February 1943 to December 1944 at RAF Stoney Cross and then RAF Brize Norton. Albemarle V from April 1944 to December 1944 at RAF Brize Norton. Albemarle VI from July 1944 to December 1944 at RAF Brize Norton.
470:
propeller unit. Fuel was typically stored in four tanks, two in the center fuselage and two within the wings centre section; in circumstances where extended range would be required, a maximum of additional auxiliary tanks could be installed within the aircraft's
344:
including the extensive redesign of the aircraft's structure by Lloyd at
Coventry. Further measures were made to improve the Albemarle's take-off performance, such as the adoption of a wider span 77 ft (23 m) wing, and the thickening of the
503:. When used as a paratroop transport, a maximum of ten fully armed troops could be carried; these paratroopers were provided with a dropping hatch in the rear fuselage along with a single large loading door in the starboard side of the fuselage.
240:
also opted to order 200 aircraft; of these, only a handful of
Albemarles were delivered to the Soviets prior to the Soviet government deciding to suspend deliveries in May 1943, and later cancelling the order in favour of procuring the American
352:
to correct a tendency to over-balance. Occurrences of the engines overheating were never fully resolved, the main change in this area being the raising of the maximum permissible operational temperature from 280C to 300C.
629:
gliders were towed to the
Netherlands by 28 Albemarles of 296 and 297 squadrons; 45 aircraft were sent the following day towing gliders. Of the 602 aircraft delivered, 17 were lost on operations and 81 lost in accidents.
853:β Albemarle I from November 1943 to August 1944 at RAF Hurn and then RAF Harwell. Albemarle II from November 1943 to August 1944 at RAF Hurn and then RAF Harwell. Albemarle V from May 1944 to August 1944 at RAF Harwell.
338:
This first flight had actually been unintended, the test pilot having picked up too much speed during a ground taxi run, and had only taken off with the barest margin after traversing the entire runway. Months later,
702:(eight aircraft) had the four gun turret replaced with hand-operated twin-guns under a sliding hood. As a special transport, a loading door was fitted on the starboard side and the rear fuel tank was removed. The 14
306:
engines. The rival
Armstrong Whitworth AW.41 design used a tricycle undercarriage and was built up of sub-sections to ease manufacture by firms without aircraft construction experience. The AW.41 was designed with
511:
Ambitions to use Albemarle in the bomber role were dropped almost immediately upon the type reaching service; this was due to it not representing an improvement over current medium bombers (such as the
483:
of the nose. In the rear fuselage, several glazed panels were present so that a "fire controller" could help coordinate the aircraft's defensive turrets against attackers. The dorsal turret was a
882:
2229:
236:. While the Albemarle remained in service throughout the conflict, the final examples in RAF service were withdrawn less than a year after the war's end. During October 1942, the
2174:
2134:
2129:
2124:
2119:
2114:
2104:
2099:
2089:
2084:
2079:
2074:
2069:
2064:
2059:
2049:
2044:
2034:
2029:
2019:
2014:
2009:
2004:
1999:
1989:
1979:
1974:
1969:
1959:
1954:
1949:
1767:
Neil, Tom. "The Silver Spitfire" 2013. Wing Cmdr Neil includes his impressions of the Albemarle and his hair raising attempts to fly one without any instruction or manual.
1939:
1858:
189:
for an aircraft that could be built of wood and metal without using any light alloys; however, military planners decided to deemphasise the bomber role in favour of
372:
group, one of the largest aircraft manufacturing interests in Britain. Individual parts and sub-assemblies for the Albemarle were produced by in excess of 1,000
1809:
856:
617:; 295 Squadron towed 21 Horsas, although it lost six in transit; 570 Squadron sent 22 aircraft with ten towing gliders; and 42 OTU used four aircraft. For
535:β was set up to train Soviet ferry crews. During training, one aircraft was lost with no survivors. The first RAF squadron to operate the Albemarle was
2596:
1085:
769 imp gal (924 US gal; 3,500 L) normal, 1,399 imp gal (1,680 US gal; 6,360 L) with auxiliary tanks
987:
388:, which built the tailplane units. Production of the Albemarle was terminated during December 1944, by which point 602 aircraft had been completed.
907:
2616:
710:
and the Mk V was the same but for a fuel jettison system. All production Albemarles were powered by a pair of 1,590 hp (1,190 kW)
302:
design with 70 ft (21 m) span with a maximum speed of 320 mph (510 km/h). Both designs, known as the Type 155, used two
813:. Albemarle II from October 1943 to July 1944 at RAF Hurn and then RAF Harwell. Albemarle V from April 1944 to July 1944 at RAF Harwell.
1802:
943:
827:. Albemarle V from April 1944 to October 1944 at RAF Brize Norton. Albemarle VI from August 1944 to October 1944 at RAF Brize Norton.
578:. Tapper speculated that a major reason for the Soviet's interest in the Albemarle had been its Bristol Hercules engines, which were
566:
airfield, near Moscow, on 3 March 1943, and was followed soon afterwards by eleven more aircraft. Two Albemarles were lost over the
325:
259:
186:
197:
on 20 March 1940, its entry to service was delayed by the redesign effort, thus the first RAF squadron to operate the Albemarle,
495:
As a bomber, the Albemarle was commonly considered to be inferior to several other aircraft already in RAF service, such as the
2591:
427:. The extension wings were almost entirely made of wood, save for the bracing of the two spars by steel tubing; the Frise-type
364:, which was specifically formed to construct the Albemarle. Originally, Gloster was to have undertaken this work itself at its
2611:
2586:
1795:
1382:
1427:
876:
930:
No. 305 Ferry Training Unit bases at RAF Errol from January 1943 to train Soviet Air Force crews, disbanded in April 1944.
761:
Transport arm of 1st Air Division, later 10th Guards Air division (to 1944); naval air units until retirement in 1945.
163:
81:
2556:
2219:
2164:
2159:
2154:
2149:
1742:
1720:
1705:
1690:
1675:
1547:
1250:
633:
The final RAF unit to operate the Albemarle was the Heavy Glider Conversion Unit, which replaced its examples with
574:. The Soviet camp at Errol Field continued until April 1944: apparently the Soviet government had hoped to secure
488:
four-gun dorsal turret and one in a manually operated twin-gun ventral turret but only the first 32 aircraft, the
524:
555:. The first operational flight was on 9 February 1943, in which a 296 Squadron Albemarle dropped leaflets over
892:
from January to April 1943 and August 1944 to October 1944 when it became No. 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit.
2478:
2139:
1903:
563:
193:
and transport missions, leading to the aircraft being extensively redesigned mid-development. Performing its
479:-operated doors and spanned from just aft of the cockpit to roughly halfway between the wings and the tail.
2493:
2483:
2327:
2284:
2264:
2234:
2024:
1924:
1919:
1818:
1683:
Aircraft for the Royal Air Force: The "Griffon" Spitfire, The Albemarle Bomber and the Shetland Flying-Boat
983:
823:
including operations in North Africa. Albemarle II from November 1943 to October 1944 at RAF Hurn and then
71:
621:
on 7 June 1944, the squadrons towed 220 Horsas and 30 Hamilcars to Normandy. On 17 September 1944, during
2421:
2294:
2039:
1255:
155:
1778:
1755:
311:
engines in mind, but also with provisions for the use of Bristol Hercules as an alternative powerplant.
2606:
2488:
2468:
2463:
2447:
2442:
2411:
2406:
2401:
2337:
2332:
2322:
2279:
2269:
2249:
2214:
2204:
2169:
2144:
2109:
2094:
1994:
1984:
1964:
1944:
1929:
1888:
1883:
1843:
1174:
2561:
2514:
2509:
2385:
2244:
2239:
2224:
2194:
1934:
1898:
1893:
1878:
1873:
1868:
1863:
1853:
1848:
927:
No. 301 Ferry Training Unit operated four Albemarles at RAF Lyneham from November 1942 to April 1943.
295:
287:
212:
Instead, the Albemarle was used by RAF squadrons primarily for general and special transport duties,
2535:
2299:
361:
167:
2473:
2437:
2209:
622:
467:
294:, were approached to produce designs to meet the specification. Bristol proposed two designs β a
233:
209:, were already in use in quantity, all plans for using the Albemarle as a bomber were abandoned.
601:
From mid-1943, RAF Albemarles took part in many British airborne operations, beginning with the
30:
1238:
1233:
637:
during February 1946, at which point the type was formally retired from all operational units.
407:. The fuselage was built in three primary sections; the structure being composed of unstressed
66:
1035:
Six (two pilots, navigator/bomb-aimer, radio operator and two gunners) in Bomber configuration
2416:
2274:
951:
575:
571:
451:
299:
242:
190:
726:
Albemarles were development projects for testing different powerplants; the former used the
205:, did not receive the type in quantity until January 1943. As superior bombers, such as the
2601:
1760:
1223:
850:
840:
830:
816:
802:
796:
786:
634:
552:
548:
544:
536:
443:
198:
36:
645:
Over the course of its production life, a number of variants of the Albemarle were built:
8:
889:
866:
283:
221:
159:
978:
Operation Refresher Training Unit at RAF Hampstead Norris from May 1944 to February 1945
331:, was assembled at Hamble Aerodrome by Air Service Training; the aircraft performed its
2360:
972:
727:
606:
602:
513:
496:
308:
275:
225:
206:
990:. One was operated by De Havilland Propellers for research into reversing propellers.
933:
Torpedo Development Unit at Gosport used one aircraft between April and September 1942
2367:
1738:
1716:
1701:
1686:
1671:
1543:
1378:
998:
965:
618:
500:
431:
and tailplane were also composed of wood. The structure of the forward section used
258:
The origins of the Albemarle can be traced back to the mid-1930s and the issuing of
2353:
1092:
896:
824:
820:
711:
698:
Most Marks were divided into "Series" to distinguish differences in equipment. The
590:
579:
520:
459:
436:
303:
237:
96:
585:
356:
The Albemarle's production run was principally undertaken by A.W. Hawksley Ltd of
2530:
2289:
2259:
1372:
780:
610:
455:
432:
369:
217:
171:
91:
523:
placed a contract for delivery of 200 Albemarles in October 1942. An RAF unit β
2254:
1787:
1228:
1218:
1208:
899:
in December 1945 and withdrew the last operational Albemarles in February 1946.
774:
706:
aircraft were equipped with gear for towing gliders. The Mk II could carry ten
614:
1585:
589:
Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle of No. 296 or 297 Squadron RAF, taking off from
2580:
1213:
1096:
790:
758:
Twelve aircraft were exported to the Soviet Union (two more lost in transit).
731:
715:
463:
447:
381:
373:
349:
332:
267:
194:
182:
1730:, Volume 1, No. 11. New Milton, Hants, UK: 21st Profile Ltd. ISSN 0961-8120.
1180:
Two Γ .303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns in ventral turret (first prototype only)
982:
Aircraft were also operated for tests and trials by aircraft companies, the
895:
No. 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit at RAF Brize Norton from 1944, moved to
543:
in January 1943. Other squadrons to be equipped with the Albemarle included
368:
facility. Both Gloster and Armstrong Whitworth were member companies of the
1170:
834:
751:
484:
420:
416:
385:
291:
263:
175:
1120:
265 mph (426 km/h, 230 kn) at 10,500 ft (3,200 m)
1032:
Four (two pilots, navigator and radio operator) in Transport configuration
1670:. Elvington, Yorkshire, UK: Yorkshire Air Museum, Reproduction ed. 1996.
1203:
947:
937:
860:
844:
810:
594:
540:
213:
202:
921:
914:
903:
799:
operated one aircraft at Doncaster between October 1942 and April 1943.
605:. The pinnacle of the aircraft's career was a series of operations for
397:
357:
1132:
70 mph (110 km/h, 61 kn) (flaps and undercarriage down)
707:
626:
567:
528:
476:
400:
365:
298:
and an 80 ft (24 m) wingspan capable of 300 mph and a
958:
870:
806:
472:
412:
377:
879:
at RAF Finmere (two aircraft between October 1942 and April 1943)
556:
428:
424:
408:
423:
that used light alloys, the majority of the wing was covered in
1752:, Thirty-nine, MayβAugust 1989, pp. 29β42. ISSN 0143-5450.
532:
404:
345:
229:
819:β Albemarle I from January 1943 to October 1944 at RAF Hurn,
271:
270:
of wood and metal construction, without the use of any light
170:. It was one of many aircraft which entered service with the
1188:
Internal bomb bay for 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) of bombs
920:
No. 3 Glider Training School operated eight Albemarles at
730:
III and the latter used the 1,600 hp (1,200 kW)
220:
towing, in addition to other secondary duties. Albemarle
35:
Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle Mark I series 2 (P1475) of
1698:
British Secret Projects: Fighters and Bombers 1935β1950
411:
over a steel tube frame, including four circular steel
968:
used one aircraft between September and November 1942.
957:
Coastal Command Development Unit used two aircraft at
885:
at RAF Ashbourne from September 1943 to February 1945.
888:
Heavy Glider Conversion Unit at RAF Brize Norton and
466:, each capable of 1,590 hp and driving a three-blade
376:. Amongst the companies that were subcontracted were
1198:
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
1492:
1490:
843:β Albemarle I from November 1942 to March 1944 at
1405:
1403:
988:Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
833:β Albemarle I from July 1943 to December 1944 at
805:β Albemarle I from November 1943 to July 1944 at
789:β Albemarle I from October 1942 to April 1943 at
396:The Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle was a mid-wing
384:, which constructed the wing centre section, and
2578:
1817:
562:A Soviet-crewed Albemarle flew from Scotland to
282:Several aircraft manufacturing firms, including
181:The Albemarle had been originally designed as a
1558:
1556:
1507:
1505:
1487:
1279:
1277:
1275:
971:Bomber Development Unit used three aircraft at
158:developed by the British aircraft manufacturer
1572:
1570:
1568:
1468:
1466:
1464:
1462:
1460:
1400:
1357:
1355:
1323:
1321:
1319:
582:and subsequently copied by Soviet industries.
1803:
1586:Mark Felton video on Soviet use of Albemarles
1345:
1343:
1341:
1339:
1337:
1335:
1333:
1309:
1307:
1305:
1303:
1301:
1291:
1289:
1138:1,300 mi (2,100 km, 1,100 nmi)
1626:
1608:
1599:
1590:
1553:
1523:
1502:
1475:
1448:
1412:
1272:
1715:. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. 1994.
1635:
1617:
1565:
1514:
1457:
1391:
1352:
1316:
993:
1810:
1796:
1700:. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2004.
1668:Air Transport Auxiliary Ferry Pilots Notes
1652:Air Transport Auxiliary Ferry Pilots Notes
1330:
1298:
1286:
944:Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment
475:. This sizable bomb bay was equipped with
2597:1940s British military transport aircraft
1126:170 mph (270 km/h, 150 kn)
1002:Orthographic projection of the Albemarle.
492:, were produced in such a configuration.
415:; most elements were bolted together via
1748:Williams, Ray. "The Unloved Albemarle".
1540:Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II
997:
584:
1735:Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft since 1913
1374:Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Since 1913
1014:Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft since 1913
913:No. 23 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit at
902:No. 22 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit at
613:; 296 Squadron used 19 aircraft to tow
597:, with an Airspeed Horsa Mark I in tow.
2579:
1370:
506:
435:tubing as to reduce interference with
1791:
1532:
1099:, 1,590 hp (1,190 kW) each
16:1940 airlifter by Armstrong Whitworth
2617:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft
1067:803.5 sq ft (74.65 m)
1049:59 ft 11 in (18.26 m)
961:between September and December 1942.
883:No. 42 Operational Training Unit RAF
877:No. 13 Operational Training Unit RAF
152:Armstrong Whitworth A.W.41 Albemarle
1685:. London: Faber & Faber, 1980.
1055:77 ft 0 in (23.47 m)
910:from October 1944 to November 1945.
380:, to produce the forward fuselage,
13:
1764:. 27 January 1944. pp. 87β91.
1542:. New York: Crescent Books, 1988.
1061:15 ft 7 in (4.75 m)
954:between May 1942 and October 1944.
940:used one aircraft during May 1943,
936:Telecommunications Flying Unit at
458:. Power was provided by a pair of
318:
14:
2628:
1772:
975:between August and November 1942.
863:from September 1942 to March 1943
1251:List of aircraft of World War II
1105:3-bladed de Havilland Hydromatic
924:between January and August 1945.
767:
744:
29:
1756:"Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle"
1660:
1644:
1579:
1436:
1421:
1079:36,500 lb (16,556 kg)
1073:25,347 lb (11,497 kg)
873:from September to October 1942.
1364:
1150:980 ft/min (5.0 m/s)
917:from October to December 1944.
248:
1:
2592:1940s British bomber aircraft
1726:Morgan, Eric B. "Albemarle".
1713:The British Bomber since 1914
1261:
1144:18,000 ft (5,500 m)
625:at Arnhem, 54 Horsas and two
253:
2612:Aircraft first flown in 1940
2587:Armstrong Whitworth aircraft
1819:Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft
1266:
984:Royal Aircraft Establishment
737:
266:. This sought a twin-engine
72:Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft
7:
1433:. Retrieved: 15 March 2007.
1428:"British Aircraft of WWII."
1256:List of aircraft of the RAF
1192:
640:
10:
2633:
1614:Tapper 1988, pp. 281, 286.
1095:XI 14-cylinder air-cooled
964:Central Gunnery School at
296:conventional undercarriage
162:and primarily produced by
2544:
2523:
2502:
2456:
2430:
2394:
2378:
2346:
2315:
2308:
2187:
1912:
1836:
1825:
1779:"Whitley and Albemarle",
1605:Tapper 1988, pp. 284β285.
1596:Tapper 1988, pp. 283β284.
1454:Tapper 1988, pp. 277β278.
1418:Tapper 1988, pp. 280β281.
1409:Tapper 1988, pp. 279β280.
1361:Tapper 1988, pp. 278β279.
1327:Tapper 1988, pp. 276β277.
442:The Albemarle featured a
391:
140:
132:
124:
116:
111:
103:
87:
77:
65:
57:
49:
44:
28:
23:
1737:. London: Putnam, 1988.
1397:Mason 1994, pp. 335β337.
994:Specifications (ST Mk I)
362:Gloster Aircraft Company
168:Gloster Aircraft Company
1499:27 January 1944, p. 88.
1484:27 January 1944, p. 90.
1445:27 January 1944, p. 89.
1377:. Putnam. p. 276.
1371:Tapper, Oliver (1973).
1020:General characteristics
859:used three aircraft at
623:Operation Market Garden
468:de Havilland Hydromatic
450:-operated, retractable
234:Operation Market Garden
1239:Savoia-Marchetti SM.81
1234:Savoia-Marchetti SM.79
1003:
635:Handley Page Halifaxes
598:
576:de Havilland Mosquitos
572:Douglas C-47 Skytrains
452:tricycle undercarriage
360:, a subsidiary of the
300:tricycle undercarriage
166:, a subsidiary of the
1681:Bowyer, Michael J.F.
1632:Williams 1989, p. 40.
1562:Williams 1989, p. 41.
1529:Williams 1989, p. 36.
1511:Williams 1989, p. 37.
1295:Tapper 1988, pp. 285.
1175:Browning machine guns
1010:The Unloved Albemarle
1001:
952:RAF Sherburn-in-Elmet
869:used two aircraft at
732:Wright Double Cyclone
676:β One prototype only.
670:β One prototype only.
588:
243:Douglas C-47 Skytrain
191:aerial reconnaissance
53:Transport, glider tug
1913:Post-First World War
1641:Tapper 1988, p. 286.
1623:Tapper 1988, p. 281.
1576:Tapper 1988, p. 283.
1520:Tapper 1988, p. 279.
1472:Tapper 1988, p. 278.
1349:Tapper 1988, p. 277.
1313:Tapper 1988, p. 276.
1283:Buttler 2004, p. 75.
1224:Martin B-26 Marauder
851:No. 570 Squadron RAF
841:No. 511 Squadron RAF
831:No. 297 Squadron RAF
817:No. 296 Squadron RAF
803:No. 295 Squadron RAF
797:No. 271 Squadron RAF
787:No. 161 Squadron RAF
260:Specification B.9/38
187:Specification B.9/38
1728:Twentyfirst Profile
1538:Bridgman, Leonard.
1077:Max takeoff weight:
890:RAF North Luffenham
867:No. 1406 Flight RAF
857:No. 1404 Flight RAF
507:Operational history
460:Bristol Hercules XI
403:with twin fins and
284:Armstrong Whitworth
228:and the assault on
160:Armstrong Whitworth
45:General information
1711:Mason, Francis K.
1004:
973:RAF Gransden Lodge
728:Rolls-Royce Merlin
603:invasion of Sicily
599:
580:reverse engineered
514:Vickers Wellington
497:Vickers Wellington
437:magnetic compasses
335:on 20 March 1940.
309:Rolls-Royce Merlin
276:Queen Mary trailer
207:Vickers Wellington
156:transport aircraft
154:was a twin-engine
2607:Mid-wing aircraft
2574:
2573:
2570:
2569:
2379:Army co-operation
2183:
2182:
1384:978-0-370-10004-3
1177:in dorsal turret.
966:RAF Sutton Bridge
619:Operation Mallard
226:Normandy landings
174:(RAF) during the
164:A.W. Hawksley Ltd
148:
147:
125:Introduction date
2624:
2386:Atlas/Ajax/Aries
2313:
2312:
1834:
1833:
1812:
1805:
1798:
1789:
1788:
1733:Tapper, Oliver.
1655:
1648:
1642:
1639:
1633:
1630:
1624:
1621:
1615:
1612:
1606:
1603:
1597:
1594:
1588:
1583:
1577:
1574:
1563:
1560:
1551:
1536:
1530:
1527:
1521:
1518:
1512:
1509:
1500:
1494:
1485:
1479:
1473:
1470:
1455:
1452:
1446:
1440:
1434:
1425:
1419:
1416:
1410:
1407:
1398:
1395:
1389:
1388:
1368:
1362:
1359:
1350:
1347:
1328:
1325:
1314:
1311:
1296:
1293:
1284:
1281:
1158:
1142:Service ceiling:
1113:
1093:Bristol Hercules
1022:
897:RAF Elsham Wolds
825:RAF Brize Norton
821:RAF Stoney Cross
773:
771:
770:
750:
748:
747:
712:Bristol Hercules
704:ST Mk I Series 2
700:ST Mk I Series 1
521:Soviet Air Force
304:Bristol Hercules
238:Soviet Air Force
224:participated in
176:Second World War
97:Soviet Air Force
82:A W Hawksley Ltd
33:
21:
20:
2632:
2631:
2627:
2626:
2625:
2623:
2622:
2621:
2577:
2576:
2575:
2566:
2557:Argosy (AW.660)
2540:
2519:
2503:General purpose
2498:
2452:
2426:
2390:
2374:
2342:
2304:
2179:
1908:
1837:First World War
1829:
1827:
1821:
1816:
1775:
1770:
1696:Buttler, Tony.
1663:
1658:
1649:
1645:
1640:
1636:
1631:
1627:
1622:
1618:
1613:
1609:
1604:
1600:
1595:
1591:
1584:
1580:
1575:
1566:
1561:
1554:
1537:
1533:
1528:
1524:
1519:
1515:
1510:
1503:
1495:
1488:
1480:
1476:
1471:
1458:
1453:
1449:
1441:
1437:
1431:jaapteeuwen.com
1426:
1422:
1417:
1413:
1408:
1401:
1396:
1392:
1385:
1369:
1365:
1360:
1353:
1348:
1331:
1326:
1317:
1312:
1299:
1294:
1287:
1282:
1273:
1269:
1264:
1195:
1166:
1159:
1154:
1109:
1029:
1018:
996:
781:Royal Air Force
768:
766:
745:
743:
740:
643:
615:Airspeed Horsas
611:Operation Tonga
509:
456:Royal Air Force
433:stainless steel
394:
370:Hawker Siddeley
321:
319:Into production
262:by the British
256:
251:
172:Royal Air Force
99:
92:Royal Air Force
58:National origin
40:
17:
12:
11:
5:
2630:
2620:
2619:
2614:
2609:
2604:
2599:
2594:
2589:
2572:
2571:
2568:
2567:
2565:
2564:
2559:
2554:
2548:
2546:
2542:
2541:
2539:
2538:
2533:
2527:
2525:
2524:Reconnaissance
2521:
2520:
2518:
2517:
2512:
2506:
2504:
2500:
2499:
2497:
2496:
2491:
2486:
2481:
2476:
2471:
2466:
2460:
2458:
2454:
2453:
2451:
2450:
2445:
2440:
2434:
2432:
2428:
2427:
2425:
2424:
2419:
2414:
2409:
2404:
2398:
2396:
2392:
2391:
2389:
2388:
2382:
2380:
2376:
2375:
2373:
2372:
2365:
2358:
2350:
2348:
2344:
2343:
2341:
2340:
2335:
2330:
2325:
2323:Argosy (1920s)
2319:
2317:
2310:
2306:
2305:
2303:
2302:
2297:
2292:
2287:
2282:
2277:
2272:
2267:
2262:
2257:
2252:
2247:
2242:
2237:
2232:
2227:
2222:
2217:
2212:
2207:
2202:
2197:
2191:
2189:
2185:
2184:
2181:
2180:
2178:
2177:
2172:
2167:
2162:
2157:
2152:
2147:
2142:
2137:
2132:
2127:
2122:
2117:
2112:
2107:
2102:
2097:
2092:
2087:
2082:
2077:
2072:
2067:
2062:
2057:
2052:
2047:
2042:
2037:
2032:
2027:
2022:
2017:
2012:
2007:
2002:
1997:
1992:
1987:
1982:
1977:
1972:
1967:
1962:
1957:
1952:
1947:
1942:
1937:
1932:
1927:
1922:
1916:
1914:
1910:
1909:
1907:
1906:
1901:
1896:
1891:
1886:
1881:
1876:
1871:
1866:
1861:
1856:
1851:
1846:
1840:
1838:
1831:
1823:
1822:
1815:
1814:
1807:
1800:
1792:
1786:
1785:
1774:
1773:External links
1771:
1769:
1768:
1765:
1753:
1750:Air Enthusiast
1746:
1731:
1724:
1709:
1694:
1679:
1664:
1662:
1659:
1657:
1656:
1643:
1634:
1625:
1616:
1607:
1598:
1589:
1578:
1564:
1552:
1531:
1522:
1513:
1501:
1486:
1474:
1456:
1447:
1435:
1420:
1411:
1399:
1390:
1383:
1363:
1351:
1329:
1315:
1297:
1285:
1270:
1268:
1265:
1263:
1260:
1259:
1258:
1253:
1242:
1241:
1236:
1231:
1229:Mitsubishi G4M
1226:
1221:
1219:Nakajima Ki-49
1216:
1211:
1209:Heinkel He 111
1206:
1194:
1191:
1190:
1189:
1183:
1182:
1181:
1178:
1152:
1151:
1148:Rate of climb:
1145:
1139:
1133:
1127:
1121:
1118:Maximum speed:
1107:
1106:
1100:
1097:radial engines
1086:
1083:Fuel capacity:
1080:
1074:
1068:
1062:
1056:
1050:
1044:
1038:
1037:
1036:
1033:
995:
992:
980:
979:
976:
969:
962:
955:
941:
934:
931:
928:
925:
918:
911:
900:
893:
886:
880:
874:
864:
854:
848:
838:
828:
814:
800:
794:
778:
777:
775:United Kingdom
763:
762:
759:
755:
754:
739:
736:
716:radial engines
696:
695:
689:
683:
677:
671:
665:
659:
653:
642:
639:
508:
505:
464:radial engines
393:
390:
374:subcontractors
320:
317:
255:
252:
250:
247:
216:transport and
146:
145:
142:
138:
137:
134:
130:
129:
126:
122:
121:
118:
114:
113:
109:
108:
105:
101:
100:
95:
89:
85:
84:
79:
75:
74:
69:
63:
62:
61:United Kingdom
59:
55:
54:
51:
47:
46:
42:
41:
34:
26:
25:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
2629:
2618:
2615:
2613:
2610:
2608:
2605:
2603:
2600:
2598:
2595:
2593:
2590:
2588:
2585:
2584:
2582:
2563:
2560:
2558:
2555:
2553:
2550:
2549:
2547:
2543:
2537:
2534:
2532:
2529:
2528:
2526:
2522:
2516:
2513:
2511:
2508:
2507:
2505:
2501:
2495:
2492:
2490:
2487:
2485:
2482:
2480:
2477:
2475:
2472:
2470:
2467:
2465:
2462:
2461:
2459:
2455:
2449:
2446:
2444:
2441:
2439:
2436:
2435:
2433:
2429:
2423:
2420:
2418:
2415:
2413:
2410:
2408:
2405:
2403:
2400:
2399:
2397:
2393:
2387:
2384:
2383:
2381:
2377:
2371:
2370:
2366:
2364:
2363:
2359:
2357:
2356:
2352:
2351:
2349:
2345:
2339:
2336:
2334:
2331:
2329:
2326:
2324:
2321:
2320:
2318:
2314:
2311:
2307:
2301:
2298:
2296:
2293:
2291:
2288:
2286:
2283:
2281:
2278:
2276:
2273:
2271:
2268:
2266:
2263:
2261:
2258:
2256:
2253:
2251:
2248:
2246:
2243:
2241:
2238:
2236:
2233:
2231:
2228:
2226:
2223:
2221:
2218:
2216:
2213:
2211:
2208:
2206:
2203:
2201:
2198:
2196:
2193:
2192:
2190:
2186:
2176:
2173:
2171:
2168:
2166:
2163:
2161:
2158:
2156:
2153:
2151:
2148:
2146:
2143:
2141:
2138:
2136:
2133:
2131:
2128:
2126:
2123:
2121:
2118:
2116:
2113:
2111:
2108:
2106:
2103:
2101:
2098:
2096:
2093:
2091:
2088:
2086:
2083:
2081:
2078:
2076:
2073:
2071:
2068:
2066:
2063:
2061:
2058:
2056:
2053:
2051:
2048:
2046:
2043:
2041:
2038:
2036:
2033:
2031:
2028:
2026:
2023:
2021:
2018:
2016:
2013:
2011:
2008:
2006:
2003:
2001:
1998:
1996:
1993:
1991:
1988:
1986:
1983:
1981:
1978:
1976:
1973:
1971:
1968:
1966:
1963:
1961:
1958:
1956:
1953:
1951:
1948:
1946:
1943:
1941:
1938:
1936:
1933:
1931:
1928:
1926:
1923:
1921:
1918:
1917:
1915:
1911:
1905:
1902:
1900:
1897:
1895:
1892:
1890:
1887:
1885:
1882:
1880:
1877:
1875:
1872:
1870:
1867:
1865:
1862:
1860:
1857:
1855:
1852:
1850:
1847:
1845:
1842:
1841:
1839:
1835:
1832:
1824:
1820:
1813:
1808:
1806:
1801:
1799:
1794:
1793:
1790:
1784:
1782:
1777:
1776:
1766:
1763:
1762:
1757:
1754:
1751:
1747:
1744:
1743:0-85177-826-7
1740:
1736:
1732:
1729:
1725:
1722:
1721:0-85177-861-5
1718:
1714:
1710:
1707:
1706:1-85780-179-2
1703:
1699:
1695:
1692:
1691:0-571-11515-2
1688:
1684:
1680:
1677:
1676:0-9512379-8-5
1673:
1669:
1666:
1665:
1653:
1650:"Albemarle",
1647:
1638:
1629:
1620:
1611:
1602:
1593:
1587:
1582:
1573:
1571:
1569:
1559:
1557:
1549:
1548:0-517-67964-7
1545:
1541:
1535:
1526:
1517:
1508:
1506:
1498:
1493:
1491:
1483:
1478:
1469:
1467:
1465:
1463:
1461:
1451:
1444:
1439:
1432:
1429:
1424:
1415:
1406:
1404:
1394:
1386:
1380:
1376:
1375:
1367:
1358:
1356:
1346:
1344:
1342:
1340:
1338:
1336:
1334:
1324:
1322:
1320:
1310:
1308:
1306:
1304:
1302:
1292:
1290:
1280:
1278:
1276:
1271:
1257:
1254:
1252:
1249:
1248:
1247:
1246:
1245:Related lists
1240:
1237:
1235:
1232:
1230:
1227:
1225:
1222:
1220:
1217:
1215:
1214:Ilyushin Il-4
1212:
1210:
1207:
1205:
1202:
1201:
1200:
1199:
1187:
1184:
1179:
1176:
1172:
1168:
1167:
1165:
1162:
1161:
1160:
1157:
1149:
1146:
1143:
1140:
1137:
1134:
1131:
1128:
1125:
1124:Cruise speed:
1122:
1119:
1116:
1115:
1114:
1112:
1104:
1101:
1098:
1094:
1090:
1087:
1084:
1081:
1078:
1075:
1072:
1071:Empty weight:
1069:
1066:
1063:
1060:
1057:
1054:
1051:
1048:
1045:
1042:
1039:
1034:
1031:
1030:
1028:
1025:
1024:
1023:
1021:
1016:
1015:
1011:
1008:
1000:
991:
989:
985:
977:
974:
970:
967:
963:
960:
956:
953:
949:
945:
942:
939:
935:
932:
929:
926:
923:
919:
916:
912:
909:
908:RAF Blakehill
905:
901:
898:
894:
891:
887:
884:
881:
878:
875:
872:
868:
865:
862:
858:
855:
852:
849:
846:
842:
839:
836:
832:
829:
826:
822:
818:
815:
812:
808:
804:
801:
798:
795:
792:
791:RAF Tempsford
788:
785:
784:
783:
782:
776:
765:
764:
760:
757:
756:
753:
742:
741:
735:
733:
729:
725:
721:
717:
713:
709:
705:
701:
693:
690:
687:
684:
681:
678:
675:
672:
669:
666:
663:
660:
657:
654:
652:β 99 aircraft
651:
648:
647:
646:
638:
636:
631:
628:
624:
620:
616:
612:
608:
604:
596:
592:
587:
583:
581:
577:
573:
569:
565:
560:
559:in Normandy.
558:
554:
550:
546:
542:
538:
534:
530:
526:
522:
517:
515:
504:
502:
498:
493:
491:
490:Mk I Series I
486:
480:
478:
477:hydraulically
474:
469:
465:
461:
457:
453:
449:
448:hydraulically
445:
440:
438:
434:
430:
426:
422:
418:
417:gusset plates
414:
410:
406:
402:
399:
389:
387:
383:
379:
375:
371:
367:
363:
359:
354:
351:
350:trailing edge
347:
342:
336:
334:
333:maiden flight
330:
327:
326:serial number
316:
312:
310:
305:
301:
297:
293:
289:
285:
280:
277:
273:
269:
268:medium bomber
265:
261:
246:
244:
239:
235:
231:
227:
223:
219:
215:
210:
208:
204:
200:
196:
195:maiden flight
192:
188:
184:
183:medium bomber
179:
177:
173:
169:
165:
161:
157:
153:
144:February 1946
143:
139:
136:20 March 1940
135:
131:
127:
123:
119:
115:
110:
106:
102:
98:
93:
90:
88:Primary users
86:
83:
80:
76:
73:
70:
68:
64:
60:
56:
52:
48:
43:
38:
32:
27:
22:
19:
2551:
2464:F.K.9/F.K.10
2431:Experimental
2368:
2361:
2354:
2199:
2054:
1830:designations
1826:Manufacturer
1783:4 April 1946
1780:
1759:
1749:
1734:
1727:
1712:
1697:
1682:
1667:
1661:Bibliography
1651:
1646:
1637:
1628:
1619:
1610:
1601:
1592:
1581:
1539:
1534:
1525:
1516:
1496:
1481:
1477:
1450:
1442:
1438:
1430:
1423:
1414:
1393:
1373:
1366:
1244:
1243:
1197:
1196:
1185:
1163:
1155:
1153:
1147:
1141:
1135:
1130:Stall speed:
1129:
1123:
1117:
1110:
1108:
1102:
1088:
1082:
1076:
1070:
1064:
1058:
1052:
1046:
1040:
1026:
1019:
1017:
1013:
1009:
1006:
1005:
981:
835:RAF Thruxton
779:
752:Soviet Union
723:
719:
703:
699:
697:
691:
685:
679:
673:
667:
661:
655:
649:
644:
632:
627:Waco Hadrian
600:
591:Brize Norton
561:
518:
510:
494:
489:
485:Boulton-Paul
481:
441:
421:leading edge
395:
386:Harris Lebus
355:
340:
337:
328:
322:
313:
292:de Havilland
281:
264:Air Ministry
257:
211:
180:
151:
149:
133:First flight
128:January 1943
117:Manufactured
104:Number built
67:Manufacturer
37:511 Squadron
18:
2602:Glider tugs
1204:CANT Z.1007
1111:Performance
1103:Propellers:
1089:Powerplant:
948:RAF Ringway
938:RAF Defford
861:RAF St Eval
845:RAF Lyneham
811:RAF Harwell
595:Oxfordshire
541:RAF Harwell
525:No. 305 FTU
462:air-cooled
249:Development
203:RAF Harwell
2581:Categories
2545:Transports
2220:Argosy (2)
2215:Argosy (1)
1262:References
1065:Wing area:
1043:ten troops
922:RAF Exeter
915:RAF Peplow
904:RAF Keevil
708:paratroops
446:-designed
398:cantilever
358:Gloucester
254:Background
185:to fulfil
2552:Albemarle
2479:Armadillo
2316:Airliners
2230:Armadillo
2200:Albemarle
1828:numerical
1267:Citations
1173:(7.7 mm)
1053:Wingspan:
1041:Capacity:
1007:Data from
809:and then
738:Operators
568:North Sea
529:RAF Errol
413:longerons
401:monoplane
366:Brockwood
245:instead.
222:squadrons
214:paratroop
120:1941β1944
24:Albemarle
2494:Starling
2484:Scimitar
2457:Fighters
2347:Airships
2328:Atalanta
2285:Starling
2265:Scimitar
2260:Sea Hawk
2235:Atalanta
1193:See also
1156:Armament
959:RAF Tain
871:RAF Wick
807:RAF Hurn
692:GT Mk VI
686:ST Mk VI
662:ST Mk II
641:Variants
473:bomb bay
444:Lockheed
429:ailerons
378:MG Motor
78:Built by
2531:Tadpole
2448:A.W.171
2422:Whitley
2395:Bombers
2309:By role
2295:Whitley
2290:Tadpole
2188:By name
2175:A.W.690
2170:A.W.681
2165:A.W.680
2160:A.W.670
2155:A.W.660
2150:A.W.650
2145:A.W.171
2140:A.W.169
2135:A.W.168
1171:.303 in
1169:Four Γ
1059:Height:
1047:Length:
680:ST Mk V
656:GT Mk I
650:ST Mk I
564:Vnukovo
557:Lisieux
553:No. 570
549:No. 297
545:No. 296
537:No. 295
501:gliders
425:plywood
409:plywood
405:rudders
288:Bristol
232:during
199:No. 295
141:Retired
112:History
39:c. 1943
2489:Siskin
2469:A.W.16
2443:A.W.52
2417:Sinaia
2412:A.W.29
2407:A.W.23
2402:A.W.19
2338:Apollo
2333:Ensign
2280:Sissit
2275:Sinaia
2270:Siskin
2255:Meteor
2250:Ensign
2205:Apollo
2130:A.W.59
2125:A.W.58
2120:A.W.57
2115:A.W.56
2110:A.W.55
2105:A.W.54
2100:A.W.53
2095:A.W.52
2090:A.W.51
2085:A.W.50
2080:A.W.49
2075:A.W.48
2070:A.W.45
2065:A.W.44
2060:A.W.43
2055:A.W.41
2050:A.W.40
2045:A.W.39
2040:A.W.38
2035:A.W.37
2030:A.W.36
2025:A.W.35
2020:A.W.34
2015:A.W.33
2010:A.W.32
2005:A.W.31
2000:A.W.30
1995:A.W.29
1990:A.W.28
1985:A.W.27
1980:A.W.26
1975:A.W.25
1970:A.W.24
1965:A.W.23
1960:A.W.22
1955:A.W.21
1950:A.W.20
1945:A.W.19
1940:A.W.18
1935:A.W.17
1930:A.W.16
1925:A.W.15
1920:A.W.14
1899:F.K.13
1894:F.K.12
1889:F.K.10
1781:Flight
1761:Flight
1741:
1719:
1704:
1689:
1674:
1546:
1497:Flight
1482:Flight
1443:Flight
1381:
1186:Bombs:
1136:Range:
986:, and
772:
749:
720:Mk III
718:. The
668:Mk III
533:Dundee
392:Design
346:rudder
272:alloys
230:Arnhem
218:glider
2562:Awana
2515:F.K.8
2510:F.K.3
2245:Awana
2240:Atlas
2225:Aries
1904:F.M.4
1884:F.K.9
1879:F.K.8
1874:F.K.7
1869:F.K.6
1864:F.K.5
1859:F.K.4
1854:F.K.3
1849:F.K.2
1844:F.K.1
1164:Guns:
1027:Crew:
724:Mk IV
694:β 117
688:β 133
674:Mk IV
607:D-Day
531:near
527:, at
382:Rover
341:P1360
329:P1360
94:(RAF)
2536:Wolf
2300:Wolf
2195:Ajax
1739:ISBN
1717:ISBN
1702:ISBN
1687:ISBN
1672:ISBN
1544:ISBN
1379:ISBN
1091:2 Γ
950:and
906:and
722:and
682:β 49
664:β 99
658:β 69
551:and
519:The
290:and
150:The
50:Type
2474:Ara
2438:Ape
2369:R33
2362:R29
2355:25r
2210:Ara
946:at
714:XI
539:at
348:'s
201:at
107:602
2583::
1758:,
1567:^
1555:^
1504:^
1489:^
1459:^
1402:^
1354:^
1332:^
1318:^
1300:^
1288:^
1274:^
1012:,
734:.
593:,
547:,
439:.
286:,
178:.
1811:e
1804:t
1797:v
1745:.
1723:.
1708:.
1693:.
1678:.
1654:.
1550:.
1387:.
847:.
793:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.