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Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle

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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
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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,
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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:– 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
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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
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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.
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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
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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:– 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)
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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
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on 20 March 1940, its entry to service was delayed by the redesign effort, thus the first RAF squadron to operate the Albemarle,
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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.
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Transport arm of 1st Air Division, later 10th Guards Air division (to 1944); naval air units until retirement in 1945.
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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.
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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
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including operations in North Africa. Albemarle II from November 1943 to October 1944 at RAF Hurn and then
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on 7 June 1944, the squadrons towed 220 Horsas and 30 Hamilcars to Normandy. On 17 September 1944, during
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engines in mind, but also with provisions for the use of Bristol Hercules as an alternative powerplant.
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No. 301 Ferry Training Unit operated four Albemarles at RAF Lyneham from November 1942 to April 1943.
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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 – 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
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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
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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
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and tailplane were also composed of wood. The structure of the forward section used
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The origins of the Albemarle can be traced back to the mid-1930s and the issuing of
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Most Marks were divided into "Series" to distinguish differences in equipment. The
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The Albemarle's production run was principally undertaken by A.W. Hawksley Ltd of
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placed a contract for delivery of 200 Albemarles in October 1942. An RAF unit –
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in December 1945 and withdrew the last operational Albemarles in February 1946.
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aircraft were equipped with gear for towing gliders. The Mk II could carry ten
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Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle of No. 296 or 297 Squadron RAF, taking off from
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Twelve aircraft were exported to the Soviet Union (two more lost in transit).
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Two Γ— .303 in (7.7 mm) machine guns in ventral turret (first prototype only)
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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
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in January 1943. Other squadrons to be equipped with the Albemarle included
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facility. Both Gloster and Armstrong Whitworth were member companies of the
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265 mph (426 km/h, 230 kn) at 10,500 ft (3,200 m)
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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)
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and an 80 ft (24 m) wingspan capable of 300 mph and a
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at RAF Finmere (two aircraft between October 1942 and April 1943)
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that used light alloys, the majority of the wing was covered in
1752:, Thirty-nine, May–August 1989, pp. 29–42. ISSN 0143-5450. 532: 404: 345: 229: 819:– 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
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No. 3 Glider Training School operated eight Albemarles at
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III and the latter used the 1,600 hp (1,200 kW)
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towing, in addition to other secondary duties. Albemarle
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Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle Mark I series 2 (P1475) of
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British Secret Projects: Fighters and Bombers 1935–1950
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over a steel tube frame, including four circular steel
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used one aircraft between September and November 1942.
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Coastal Command Development Unit used two aircraft at
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at RAF Ashbourne from September 1943 to February 1945.
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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:– Albemarle I from November 1942 to March 1944 at 1405: 1403: 988:Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment 833:– Albemarle I from July 1943 to December 1944 at 805:– Albemarle I from November 1943 to July 1944 at 789:– 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. 87–91. 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. 284–285. 1596:Tapper 1988, pp. 283–284. 1454:Tapper 1988, pp. 277–278. 1418:Tapper 1988, pp. 280–281. 1409:Tapper 1988, pp. 279–280. 1361:Tapper 1988, pp. 278–279. 1327:Tapper 1988, pp. 276–277. 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. 335–337. 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:– One prototype only. 670:– 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:– 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 120:1941–1944 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:– 117 688:– 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:– 49 664:– 99 658:– 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:.

Index


511 Squadron
Manufacturer
Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft
A W Hawksley Ltd
Royal Air Force
Soviet Air Force
transport aircraft
Armstrong Whitworth
A.W. Hawksley Ltd
Gloster Aircraft Company
Royal Air Force
Second World War
medium bomber
Specification B.9/38
aerial reconnaissance
maiden flight
No. 295
RAF Harwell
Vickers Wellington
paratroop
glider
squadrons
Normandy landings
Arnhem
Operation Market Garden
Soviet Air Force
Douglas C-47 Skytrain
Specification B.9/38
Air Ministry

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