Airspeed aircraft

hesham

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Hi,

the Airspeed company's aircraft were displayed here,
but there is no existing to AS.68 & AS.69.

http://www.flightglobal.com/PDFArchive/View/1951/1951%20-%200354.html?search=Airspeed%20aircraft%201951
 

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Airspeed AS.68 Projected propeller-turbine version of Ambassador-Bristol Proteus

Airspeed AS.69 Projected marine reconnaissence version of Ambassador-Bristol Centaurus 661

source :Airspeed Aircraft since 1931:H.A.Taylor Putnam-Putnam.London 1970
 
Thank you my dear lark,

and for the AS.25,I think it was used as a design,was that right ?.
 
Airspeed AS.25 Number not allocated.

(same source as above)
 
most if not all the surviveing models of Airspeeds projects can be found at the Mosquito museam at Hatfield house. They are displayed in the same hanger as the mossi prototype, the AS 69 MPA is there but i dont recall the turbo Ambassador
 
Good find Martin,

and what was the second transport aircraft model ?.
 
I dont know what one it is. Ive only got a few photos, mainly of the projects that peeked my interest...civil transports at that time didnt quite float my boat so to speak
 
Hi ! First I introduce to You. I'm Polish and I'm sorry for my Polish - English language
as I used to learn English million years ago just from the Beatles songs and recently I practiced it
mostly in Luton, London and Cardiff pubs, but I hope that You'll understand what I mean.
English and Welsh pub mates did :)
While trying to post here I noticed the warning : " This topic has not been posted in for at least 360 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.
",
but I thought to myself, that there would be much better to refresh still existing thread
than to make a new topic, all the more so as I wanted in my post to treat the flightglobal list
enclosed by hesham. By the way thanx to him :) 'cause it helped me to complete
my own military aircraft designations register.
Unfortunately I never interested in Dutch aviation, having my time only for US, British, Australian,
German, Japanese, Soviet and Polish military airplanes, so now I have no idea
how the Fokker's fighters D.XIX as AS.19 ans D.XX as AS.21 looked like.
I would be very grateful for any information about those planes, the best for the links to photos
as in my registers every aircraft has a shortened description indicating configuration and role,
for example :
A.S.30 Queen Wasp 1II–W Tn. 33
...
33 D. Mondey : British Aircraft of World War II, s. 12.

Next question is if the Airspeed Powered Horsa, prototype of famous transport glider
with two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah 275 kW engines, has a separate designation ?
 
hi all

Airspeed designations
http://britishaviation-ptp.com/id89.html
 
harrier said:
Does anyone know anything about the Airspeed AS.49 (I don't have the Putnam)?

Here's the A.S.49:

Designed to meet Air Ministry specification T.24/40 for an intermediate single-seat fighter trainer, the AS.49 was a low-wing aircraft with fixed cantilever undercarriage and, in one form, a supercharged 295 hp de Havilland Gipsy Six IIIS (the RAF Gipsy Queen 51) with constant-speed propeller. Another version had a 250 hp Gipsy Six IV (the RAF Gipsy
Queen 31). For simplicity, cheapness and the conservation of other materials, it was to be built largely of wood with a two-spar ply-covered wing in three sections and a ply-covered fuselage.
Progress on this design had gone quite a long way when, as recorded in the company history, bombs on Hatfield (where the Airspeed design team were then working) from a raiding Ju 88 destroyed the mock-up and caused a fire which burned the design calculations and drawings.

Span 25 ft (7,6 m); overall length 22 ft 7 in (6,87 m); wing area 98 sq ft (9.1 sq m).

AS.49 (Gipsy Six IIIS). Loaded weight 2,540 lb (1,152 kg). Maximum speed at 8,000 ft (2,438 m) 228 mph (367 km/h); maximum economical cruising .speed at 8,000 ft (2,438 m)
202 mph (325 km/h); rate of climb, sea-level, J,940 ft/mIn (9-8 m/sec). Range at economical cruising speed at 8,000 ft (2,438 m) 390 miles (628 km) excluding 30 min climb.

AS.49 (Gipsy Six IV). Loaded weight 2,350 lb (1 ,066 kg). Maximum speed at sea-level 196 mph (315 km/h); maximum economical cruising speed at 6,000 ft (1,830 m) 177 mph
(285 km/h); rate of climb at sea-level 1,250 ft/min (6.3 m/sec). Range at economical cruising speed at 6,000 ft (1,830 m) 360 miles (580 km) excluding 30 min climb.
 

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Thanks a lot Stargazer! The link I posted omitted the crucial word 'trainer'! I was thinking it was perhaps some sort of emergency fighter with a tiny engine!
 
Airspeed A.S.68 3-view from L+K 1991
 

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Dear colleagues, hasn't somebody a list of year-by-year production of AS.10 Oxford? It's well known that 8586 aircraft were produced, but I never seen the distribution year-by-year. Please, help.
 
My dear Burunduk,

please see those sites;

http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a25.htm

http://britishaviation-ptp.com/airspeed_as10.html
 
I've gathered up the AS designations in plain text to make them 'search engine friendly'. A few details, corrections, and links have been added but there are still descriptive 'holes'. Other than two designation numbers which were apparently not used - 13 and 25 - there are a number of entries which are quite sketchy, (As always, further additions and/or corrections are most welcome.)

Directly below are listed those Airspeed projects for which no AS designations are known. It is just possible that the powered Horsa and General Coastal Reconnaissance Envoy concepts received sub-type designations. That's less likely for the flying boat jet fighter and highly improbable for the Sabre-powered fighters. I've also included the Airspeed-built Shackleton-Murray SM.1 light plane prototype - mainly because it seems to have acquired an Airspeed construction number.

Can anyone add further details to any of the Airspeed AS designations?

__________________________


Undesignated Airspeed Aircraft Designs

Recce Envoy
: It is often claimed that Air Ministry Specification 18/35 had been written around the winning Avro 652A proposal (which became the Anson). However, that story may be apocryphal since Airspeed also submitted an unsuccessful bid to Specification 18/35. This was in the form of a General Coastal Reconnaissance variant of the AS.6 Envoy.

Sabre Fighters: In 1940, Arthur Hagg designs for Napier Sabre-powered fighters constructed mainly from non-strategic materials (one with straight wing and retractable undercarriage; one with cranked wing and fixed, spatted main gear). Some similarities to Hagg's Napier-Heston Racer design.
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-napier-sabre-fighters-june-1940.27685/

Flying Boat Jet Fighter: Airspeed sketched out a flying boat jet fighter for airfield-free use in the Pacific Theatre. This blended-hull fighter was closely based upon the AS.37 flying target. However, the cockpit-top-mounted piston engine was replaced by a forward-placed centrifugal-flow turbojet engine with bifurcated jetpipes. Proposed armament was four 4.5 inch recoilless guns.
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-flying-boat-jet-fighter.3460

Horsa Powered-Glider: Listed under AS.52 is a proposed self-recovering, powered Horsa variant which seems to have no designation. This aircraft was to have twin radial engines of modest output - either Armstrong Siddeley Cheetahs or Pratt & Whitney Wasp. Neither engine type would have sufficient power to turn the Horsa into a transport aircraft. But, there would be enough power for empty gliders to be flown out of their landing fields.
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-transport-projects-from-1942.27668/#post-300874

Piece Work - The Experimental Shackleton-Murray SM.1 Light Aircraft

William Stancliffe Shackleton began with Bleriot/ANEC before becoming Chief Designer for Beardmore in 1924. His health took Shackleton to Australia where he became Chief Engineer at LASCO. When LASCO failed, WS Shackleton returned to the UK and joined forces with Australian Pilot, Lee Cameron Lathrop Murray. In 1931, the pair formed Forward View Aeroplanes, Ltd. and designed an ideal light aircraft, the Shackleton-Murray S.M.1. In Sept 1932, a contract was signed with Airspeed Ltd. to build the prototype S.M.1.

Construction work on the 2-seat SM.1 was begun in Airspeed's rented premises in York but completed after the firm's move to Portsmouth. The protoype SM.1 - Airspeed c/n 8 - was completed in 1933. For completeness, basic SM.1 details are given below:

SM.1: 1933 2-seat, dual control light plane, x 1
- SM.1: Open tandem-seat parasol pusher prop
- SM.1: Mainly fabric-covered wooden structure*
-- * W/ welded/pinned steel-tube centre section
-- * Wings capped with papier-maché wing tips
- SM.1: 1 x 70 hp Hirth H.M.60,** span 12.20 m
-- * Contemp. sources say 60 hp for 4-cyl H.M.60
- SM.1: (Project) Prod. vers., Pobjoy R radial
- SM.1: (Project) 1941 "ground trainer" resto.***
-- *** 1 x Armstrong Siddeley Genet 5-cyl radial
-- *** Stroud and District Technical College ATC
-- https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc279460/m2/1/high_res_d/19930090275.pdf
 
Airspeed 'AS' Aircraft Type Designations

AS.1 -- 1931 Tern high-performance sailplane, x 2*
- AS.1: Wooden const., cantilevered wings w/o dihedral
- AS.1: Design by AH Tiltman and NS Norway, span 15.24 m
- AS.1: 1st prototype, flown by NS Norway, open cockpit
-- https://scalesoaring.co.uk/airspeed-type-s-1-tern/
-- 3v: https://scalesoaring.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/tern-3-viewjpg.jpg
-- https://scalesoaring.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/tern-airborne.jpg
- AS.1: Second, assembled by Andy Coulson from spares*
- AS.1: Second, compl. with canopy & revised rear deck
-- Second AS.1 also introduced dihedral and mod. rudder
-- * Using bought parts of incompleted airframes #2 & #3
-- https://scalesoaring.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/2nd-tern3V.jpg
-- https://scalesoaring.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/tern-4-pics.jpg

AS.2 -- (Project) 1931 glider (no details)

AS.3 -- (Project) 1931 2-to-3-seat biplane light aircraft

AS.4 -- 1932 Ferry 10-pax trimotor transport biplane, x 4
- AS.4: High-mounted biplane with 3rd engine on upper wing
- AS.4: Prototype (G-ABSI) flew April 1932, Capt HV Worrall
- AS.4: 2 x DH Gipsy IIs, 1 x Gipsy III, span 16.76 m
-- G-ABSI/AV968/2758M, VT-AFO, G-ACBT, G-ACFB/DJ715

AS.5 -- 1933 Courier 5/6-seat transport monoplane, x 16*
- AS.5 : Low-wing, single-engined cabin monoplane, retr. u/c
- AS.5 : Fabric-covered wooden struct., ply-covered leading edge
-- * 1 x AS.5, 11 x AS.5A, 2 x AS.5B, 1 x AS.5C, 1 x AS.5J
-- AS.5: Initial AH Tiltman design approved by Board, April 1933
- AS.5 : Prototype (G-ABXN), 1 x 215 hp A-S Lynx, June 1934
-- Orig for Sir Alan Cobham's air-refuelled flight to India
- AS.5A: Courier I, domestic model, 215 hp Lynx IVC
- AS.5B: Courier II, export model, 270 hp Cheetah V
- AS.5C: Courier, engine testbed, 340 hp Napier Rapier
-- AS.5C c/n 20 re-engined for trials work by D Napier & Son Ltd
-- Later converted to fixed-gear AS.5A, impressed as RAF X9346
- AS.5J: Courier, 1934, 1 x 310 hp Cheetah IX **
-- ** As VT-AFY, to H.H. The Maharajah of Jaipur, Jaipur, India
-- http://www.britishaviation-ptp.com/airspeed_as5.html

AS.6 -- 1933 Envoy light twin transport monoplane, x 61
- AS.6 : AH Tiltman design for 6-pax Courier twin devel.
-- NB: The AS.6 retained the outer wing panels of the AS.5
-- Planned engines: Napier Javelins or Wolseley AR.9s
- AS.6 : Envoy Series I; lacked trailing-edge flaps, x 17
- AS.6A: Envoy Series I, 2 x 200 hp Wolseley AR.9 Mk.IIs
- AS.6A: Envoy Series I, 2 x 240 hp A-S Lynx IVCs
-- AS.6A Nos. 17-I, 36-I, 40-I, 41-I, 42-I to Japan (NKY-KK/IJN)*
-- * AS.6As referred to as Airspeed LXM in IJN designation system
- AS.6B: (Project) Srs I floatplane, 2 x Wolseley A.R.9 radials
- AS.6C: (Project) Srs I floatplane, 2 x A-S Lynx IVCs
-- Undesignated AS.6 General Coastal Recce a/c to Spec 18/35
- AS.6 : Envoy Series II; flaps, incr. tail area, x 13
- AS.6D: Envoy Srs II, 2 x 350 hp Wright Whirlwinds, x 1
- AS.6E: Envoy Srs II: 2 x 340 Walter Castor IIs, x 5
- AS.6 : Envoy Series III; improved Series II devel., x 19
- AS.6 : Srs III; flaps, ply-covered wing, increased area tailplane
- AS.6E: Envoy Srs III; 2 x 340 hp Walter Castor IIs
- AS.6F: (Project) Series II-based (qv) photographic survey a/c
-- NB: Some source list photo survey vers. as a 2nd AS.6C project
- AS.6G: Envoy Srs II, 2 x 250 hp Wolseley Scorpio Is, x 1
- AS.6H: Envoy Srs III: 2 x 250 hp Wolseley Aries IIIs, x 27
-- AS.6H prototype G-ACVI re-engined to become sole AS.6D (AS.9DI)
- AS.6I: Designation not applied
- AS.6J: Envoy Srs III for export, 2 x AS Cheetah IX
- AS.6J: Envoy, 1934 racer, 2 x 310 hp Cheetah IX
-- AS.6J for a trans-Pacific record attempt by Australian CTP Ulm
-- AS.6J re-reg'd VH-UXY, lost at sea, no trace of crew of three
-- AS.6JM: Convertible military type, bombs and dorsal gun turret**
-- AS.6JM/AS.6JC aka 'Convertible Envoy'
-- ** Armament also consisted of a fixed forward-firing machine gun
-- The SAAF had 3 x AS.6JM convertable to AS.6JC std for SA Airways
-- NB: South African AS.6JM/C devel. to meet AM Specification 39/35
-- AS.6JC: Export Envoy, civilian version of military AS.6JM
-- South African Airways had 4 x AS.6JC convertable to AS.6JM std.
- AS.6K: Envoy Srs III for export, Mitsubishi HI licensed***
- AS.6K: 2 x 250 hp Wolseley Scorpio II 9-cyl. radials
-- Alt. powerplant: (Orig.) 2 x 130 hp Gasuden Jimpu radials
-- Alt. powerplant: (Later) 2 x 240-hp A-S Lynx IVC radials
-- *** 11 x Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 'Hinazaru' (Young Crane)
-- http://www.britishaviation-ptp.com/airspeed_as6.html

AS.7 -- (Project) 1934 Envoy military transport aircraft
- AS.7J: Military Envoy, 2 x A-S Cheetah VIs
- AS.7K: Military Envoy, 2 x Wolseley Scorpio IIs

AS.8 -- 1934 Viceroy, Envoy racing deriv., x 1*
- AS.8: Strengthened u/c, 1,227 L aux. cabin fuel tank
- AS.8: 2 x 290 hp AS Cheetah VIs (NACA cowlings)
-- * G-ACMU for Capt T Neville Stack & co-pilot SL Turner
-- * Entered into MacRobertson England-Australia Air Race
-- AS.8 c/n 18 to Spanish Rep. as 'Arturo Gonzalez Gil'
-- AS.8 destroyed (in 1939?) in Spanish Rep. AF service

AS.9 - (Project) 1935 single-seat interceptor-fighter
- AS.9: Low-wing strut-braced monoplane, retr. main u/c
- AS.9: 2 x synchronized .303-in, opt. of 6 more wing guns
- AS.9: 1 x 650 hp Napier Dagger H-24, span 13.10 m
-- * Alternative powerplant 700 hp R-R Kestrel V-12*
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-AS.9.1611/

AS.10 - 1937 Oxford twin-engined military trainer
- AS.10 : Envoy devel. to meet OR.42/Spec. T.23/36
- AS.10 : (Project) 'Envoy Trainer', Wolseley engines
- AS.10 Oxford I : Twin-engined trainer, x 5944 (+1116 canc.)
-- GP trainer to Spec T.13/36, Cheetah IXs, dorsal turret
- AS.10 Oxford I : Exper'l Metropolitan-Vickers u/c retract.
- AS.10 Oxford II: Pilot/nav. trainer, x 2440 (+674 cancelled)
-- Dual-control pilot & navigation trainer, adapted to other roles
- AS.10 Oxford II: Ambulance, Cheetah IXs
- AS.10 Oxford II: Exper'l twin fins/rudders, Cheetah IXs
-- Twin-finned Oxford used for spinning trials
- AS.10 Oxford II: Exper'l, Rotol cs props, Cheetah XVs
- AS.10 Oxford II: Experimental MacLaren u/c, AS Cheetah Xs
- AS.10 Oxford II: Experimental aircraft with two D.H. Gipsy Queen IVs
- AS.10 Oxford III: 2 x 420 hp Cheetah XVs radials, x 1*
-- * P1864, differed in more powerful engines & some additional equip.
- AS.10 Oxford IV: (Project) Oxford III pilot-trainer**
-- ** NB: Oxford IV also unoff. desig. for re-engined Mk.I***
-- *** Fitted with 2 x 250 hp DH Gipsy Queen IV inline engines

AS.11 - (Project) 1935 Metal Courier vers. for Canadian market
- AS.11: All-metal contruction (but probably still fabric-covered)
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-AS.11-metal-courier.9251/

AS.12 - (Project) 1935 4-engined aircraft
- AS.12: (No details)

13 - Type number not used

AS.14 -- (Project) 1935 twin-engined, light transport a/c
- AS.14: High-winged, retr. main u/c, 2 crew + 12-15 pax
- AS.14: (1935) 2 x 450 hp P&W Wasp Juniors,* span 22.40 m
-- Alt. engines: 2 x 620 hp A-S Panther VI 14-cyl radials
- AS.14: (1936) 2 x 930 hp Bristol Pegasus XC, span 26.20 m
-- AS.14 mock-up built, to have been named Ambassador
-- * PD Stempt lists as "550 hp" (typo or R-1340 ref?)
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-as-14-as-24-transport-projects.27472/

AS.15 - (Project) 1935 day & night bomber/troop carrier
- AS.15: High-wing, retr. main u/c, twin fins/rudders
- AS.15: 4 x ~1,300 hp air-cooled radials,* span 116'
-- * Poss. Bristol Twin Aquila or A-S engines
-- Nose, tail, retr. dorsal and ventral gun positions
- AS.15A: Projected passenger version of AS.15 bomber
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-as15-bomber-concept-1935.27927/
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-as-15.32554/

AS.16 - (Project) 1935 high-winged 4-engined transport
- AS.16: Proposed license-built Fokker F.XXII airliner
- AS.16: 4 x 500 hp P&W Wasp T1D1, span 30.00 m*
-- * Specs for Fokker F.XXII, AS.16 may have differed

AS.17 - (Project) 1935 single-seat sesquiplane fighter
- AS.17: Proposed license-built Fokker D.XVII fighter
- AS.17: 1 x 646 hp R-R Kestrel IIS, span 9.60 m*
-- * Specs for Fokker D.XVII, AS.17 may have differed
-- * PD Stemp lists Kestrel IV (as per AS.19)
-- AS.17 intended to satisfy Greek requirement

AS.18 - (Project) 1935 AS.17/Fokker D.XVII variant
- AS.18: (No details)

AS.19 - (Project) 1935 single-seat sesquiplane fighter
- AS.19: Proposed license-built Fokker D.XIX fighter
-- D.XIX: Impr. D.XVII, canopy, spats, 4-gun armament
- AS.19: 1 x 755 hp R-R Kestrel IV, span 9.60 m*
-- * Specs for Fokker D.XIX, AS.19 may have differed

AS.20 - (Project) 1935 high-winged 4-engined transport
- AS.20: Proposed license-built Fokker F.XXXVI airliner
- AS.20: 4 x 750 hp Wright SGR-1820-F2, span 33.00 m*
-- * Specs for Fokker F.XXXVI, AS.20 may have differed

AS.21 - (Project) 1935 single-seat sesquiplane fighter
- AS.21: Proposed license-built Fokker D.XX fighter
-- D.XX: (??) Poss. D.XIX variant w/ radial engine*
-- * PD Stemp lists Kestrel IV (as per AS.19)

AS.22 - (Project) 1935 2-seat sesquiplane recce-bomber
- AS.22: Proposed license-built version of Fokker C.X
- AS.22: 1 x Kestrel or Pegasus, span 12.00 m*
-- * Specs for Fokker C.X, AS.22 may have differed
-- * PD Stemp lists R-R Kestrel V for AS.22
- AS.22A: Floatplane deriv., aka unbuilt Fokker C.X-W

AS.23 - (Project) 1935 license-built Douglas DC-2
- AS.23: Arranged through Fokker's Douglas agreement

AS.24 - (Project) 1935 long-range AS.14 mail-carrier deriv.
- AS.24: Wings/empennage as per AS.14; long, thin fuselage
- AS.24: 2 x 450 hp P&W Wasp Juniors, span 22.40 m*
-- * PD Stemp lists larger Pegasus variant as AS.14
-- * 2 x 930 hp Bristol Pegasus XC, span 26.20 m
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-as-14-as-24-transport-projects.27472/

25 - Type number not used

AS.26 - (Project) 1935 vehicle-carrying transport biplane
- AS.26: Fuselage sim. to Cunliffe Owen's Burnelli project

AS.27 (I) - (Project) 1935 Gen'l Purpose/Coastal Patrol
- AS.27 (I): Slow-speed, single-seat, fixed-gear a/c
- AS.27 (I): 1 x 225 hp Wolseley Aries,* span (??) m
-- * Alt. powerplant 250 hp Wolseley Scorpio radial
- AS.27: (I) Staggered HB Irving-style biplane layout**
-- ** Extreme dihedral on lower wing, near 'box wing'
- AS.27: Alt. version, high-winged/parasol monoplane

AS.27 (II) - (Project) 1935 'Special Defence' monoplane
- AS.27 (II): Single-seat, high-winged cabin monoplane
- AS.27 (II): 1 x 350 hp A-S Cheetah IX, span 11.58 m
-- AS.27 redesigned to meet Air Ministry Spec. 38/35
- AS.27 : Intended for RAF, 2 x prototype ordered*
- AS.27 : 1 x 350 hp A-S Cheetah IX, span 15.24 m
-- RAF ordered 2 x AS.27 (K8846 and K8847), not built**
-- ** Contract 486768/36 later cancelled
- AS.27A: PD Stemp's speculative desig. for AS.27 (II)?

AS.28 - (Project) 1935 twin-engine passenger transport
- AS.28: (No details)

AS.29 - (Project) 1935 4-engined heavy bomber type
- AS.29: Mid-winged monoplane, retractable main u/c
- AS.29: Nose/tail positions, retr. dorsal turret
- AS.29: 4 x 650 hp Bristol Aquila radials
- AS.29: 4 x 850 hp Rolls-Royce Goshawk Bs
-- AS.29 to OR.19/Spec. B.1/35 (Vickers Warwick)

AS.30 - 1937 Queen Wasp biplane gunnery target, x 7
- AS.30: Radio-controlled* land or floatplane to Q.32/35
- AS.30: 1 x 350 hp A-S Cheetah IX, span 9.45 m
-- * Optionally-piloted, single-seat cockpit
- AS.30: Intended as RAF/RN DH.82B Queen Bee repl.
-- AS.30: Helmeted cowling, spatted u/c or twin floats
- AS.30: 1st prototype K8887 landplane flew June 1937
- AS.30: 2nd prototype K8888 floatplane flew Oct 1937
- AS.30: 65 x prod'n anticipated, only 10 ordered**
-- ** RAF P5441-P5450, only 5 x completed (+ parts)
-- http://www.britishaviation-ptp.com/airspeed_as30.html

AS.31 - (Project) 1935 twin-boom high-speed experimental a/c
- AS.31: Single-engine, low-wing, twin-boomed, cabin on tail
- AS.31: 1 x R-R Merlin E tractor V-12, span 10.06 m
-- Hessel Tiltman fighter concept to meet OR.30/Spec 32/35*
-- * Despite being a research a/c, 8 x .303-inch Brownings
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-AS.31.2407/

AS.32 - (Project) 1936 4-engined, 24-passenger airliner
- AS.32: 1 x 650 hp Bristol Aquila 9-cyl., span 33.22 m
-- Alt. powerplant: 4 x 390 hp Wolseley Libra 9-cyl*
-- * Libra was to be larger displacement Scorpio

AS.33 - (Project) 1936 4-engined, 24-passenger airliner
- AS.32: 1 x 495 hp Bristol Aquila 9-cyl., span 33.22 m
-- Alt. powerplant: 4 x 390 hp Wolseley Libra 9-cyl.
-- Similar to AS.32 (above, qv) other than powerplants

AS.34 - (Project) 1936 4-engined, 12-to-15-seat airliner
- AS.34 : 4 x 345 hp A-S Cheetah IX 9-cyl radials
- AS.34A: 4 x 305 hp Wolseley Scorpio II engines

AS.35 - (Project) 1936 4-engined, 8-seat airliner
- AS.35 : Similar to AS.34 (qv) other than engines
- AS.35 : 4 x de Havilland Gipsy Six II L6s

AS.36 - (Project) 1936 2-seat 'ab initio' trainer
- AS.36: Tandem seat, low-wing, spatted u/c, twin fins
- AS.36: 1 x 205 hp DH Gipsy Six II, span 12.80 m
- AS.36: To meet Air Ministry Specification T.1/37*
-- * Like General GAL.32, Percival P.20, failed to place
-- * Heston T.1/37, Miles M.15, & Parnall 382 placed

AS.37 - (Project) 1937 radio-control target flying-boat
- AS.37: Pilot-optional, tractor engine above cockpit
- AS.37: T-tail, low-set wings, no stabilizing floats*
-- * Thickened inner wing panels as planing surfaces
- AS.37: 1 x DH Gipsy Six II 6-cyl., span 8.53 m
-- * Spec Q.8/37; tricycle beaching gear/undercarriage
-- NB: Airframe re-used for flying boat jet fighter
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-projects.3450/#post-27452

AS.38 - (Project) 1937 cabin biplane communications a/c
- AS.38: AS.30 Queen Wasp adapted to comms role
- AS.30: 1 x 375 hp A-S Cheetah X, span 9.45 m

AS.39 - 1940 Fleet Shadower carrier-borne obs. a/c
- AS.37: 3-seat, high-wing, twin-tail, fixed main gear
- AS.37: 4 x 130 hp Pobjoy Niagara Vs, span 16.25 m
- AS.37: To Spec. S.23/37, design work begun in 1937
-- Prototype N1323 flew 11 Oct 1940, N1324 not completed

AS.40 - 1938 Oxford civil radio research conversion
- AS.40: x 1 + 38 conv., some sources say 2 x new-built

AS.41 - 1946 exper'l Oxford with Alvis Leonides
- AS.41: Engine installation by Miles Aircraft Ltd.
- AS.41: AS.10 LX119 Oxford I conv., later G-AJWJ

AS.42 - 1938 Oxford I to Spec. T.39/37 for New Zealand
- AS.42: 2 x 375 hp Armstrong-Siddeley Cheetah X
-- Oxford Is diverted from RAF contract to NZ, x 4
-- L4556/NZ250, L4557/NZ251, L4592/NZ252, L4593/NZ253

AS.43 - 1938 AS.42 Oxford I survey variant for NZ
- AS.43: 2 x 375 hp Armstrong-Siddeley Cheetah X
-- Oxford I diverted from RAF contract to NZ, x 1
-- L4610/NZ254, delivered to New Zealand in Dec 1938

AS.44: (Project) 1938 twin-engined Oxford repl.
- AS.44: 4-seat gunnery trainer, various config.
- AS.44 (I) : Low-wing, trike u/c, low twin tails
- AS.44 (I) : 2 x Bristol Aquilas, span 17.52 m
- AS.44 (II): High-wing, trike, high twin tails
- AS.44 (II): 2 x AS Cheetah IX radials*
-- * Alt. powerplants: 2 x Alvis Leonides
-- Low- and high-wings related eliptical types
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-as-44-twin-engined-trainer-aircraft.7065/

AS.45 - 1940 Cambridge 2-seat advanced trainer
- AS.45: Low-wing, retractable main undercarriage
- AS.45: 1 x 730 hp Mercury VIII, span 12.80 m
-- Prototype T2449 flew Feb 1941, 2nd prototype T2453
-- AS.45 Cambridge to AM Specification T.4/39

AS.46 - 1942 Oxford V, re-engined (incl. conversions)
- AS.46: 2 x Two Pratt and Whitney Wasp Juniors
- AS.46 Oxford V Series I : Winterized Canadian vers.
- AS.46 Oxford V Series II: Hamilton-Standard cs props
-- Srs II conv. lacked cabin heating/prov'n for oil warming
-- AS.46 production x 252 (incl. 56 conv. from other Marks)

AS.47 - (Project) 1939-40 push-pull high-speed bomber*
- AS.47: Low-wing, twin-boom/tailplanes, trike u/c
-- Crew positions staggered (raised pilot to portside)
- AS.47: 2 x 2,200 hp Napier Sabre 24s, span 17.67 m
- AS.47: Alternative proposal, 2 x R-R Merlins
-- * Possibly developed towards AM Spec. B.7/40
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-a-s-47.500/

AS.48 - (Project) 1939 single-seat night fighter
- AS.48: 1 x Napier Sabre engine, span 12.19 m
-- Armament, 6 x 20 mm cannons in wings

AS.49 - (Project) 1939 fighter-trainer to Spec. T.24/40
- AS.49: Single-seat, low wing, fixed u/c, span 7.60 m
- AS.49: Wooden struc., 2-spar plywood-covered wings
- AS.49: 1 x 250 hp DH Gipsy Queen 31 *
-- * de Havilland Gipsy Six IV inline 6-cyl.
- AS.49: 1 x 295 hp DH Gipsy Queen 51 **
-- ** Supercharged Gipsy Six III 6-cylinder
-- 50 x ordered (BH727, BS827-BS848, BS863-BS890
-- AS.49 mockup destroyed by bombing at Hatfield***
-- *** Ju 88A-1 of Stab I/KG 77, 02 October 1940
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-aircraft.3050/#post-140464

AS.50 - (Project) 1940 AS.30 Queen Wasp-based trainer
- AS.50: To AM Spec. T.24/40, as back-up for AS.49 (?)
- AS.50: 1 x 350 hp A-S Cheetah IX, span 9.45 m
-- aka Airspeed AS.50 Trainer

AS.51 - 1941 Horsa I troop-carrying glider, Spec X.26/40
- AS.51: OR.99, wooden const., 24–to-36 fully armed troops
- AS.51: 2 + 20-to-25 troops; wooden constr., span 26.83 m
- AS.51: Horsa I had fwd portside loading door/ramp
-- http://www.britishaviation-ptp.com/airspeed_as51.html

AS.52 - (Project) 1941 Horsa glide-bomber to Spec X.3/41
- AS.52: Emerg. Tallboy-carrier for Tirpitz attack*
- AS.52: 202 x ordered to meet OR.104, all later cancelled
–- * Canc., Lancaster mod. to carry 12,000 lb Tallboy**
-- ** PD Stemp says bombload was only "up to 8,000 lbs."

AS.53 - (Project) 1941 Horsa I for vehicle transport

AS.54 - (Project) 1942 2-seat training glider to Spec TX.3/43
- AS.54: Towards OR.122, to train transport glider pilots
- AS.54: Span 10.97 m, described as "similar to the AS.51"*
-- * Presumably, PD Stemp was referring to general outline
- AS.54: Spec TX.3/43 satified by General Aircraft GAL.55

AS.55 - (Project) 1942-43 high-wing military transport
- AS.55 : Various arrangements/engine types studied
- AS.55 (I) : Raised cockpit, nose 'visor' door
- AS.55 (I) : Tricycle u/c, Horsa-like tail
- AS.55 (I) : Crew of 3 + 66 seats for trooping
- AS.55: 2 x 1,650 hp Bristol Hercules XIVs
- AS.55: 2 x 2,000 hp Bristol Centaurus
-- Centaurus-powered vers. with twin fins
- AS.55: 4 x 1,085 hp Bristol Taurus XXs
- AS.55: 4 x 1,200 hp P&W Twin Wasps
- AS.55: 4 x 1,280 hp R-R Merlin XXIs
- AS.55 (II): Twin-boom, rear cone door, span 35.05 m
- AS.55 (II): 2 x 1,560 hp Bristol Hercules XIs
- AS.55 (III): Transport for Brabazon Types 3A/3B*
-- * Atlantic/Empire proposal by Sir Alan Cobham
- AS.55 (III): 4 x Bristol Herculess, span 35.96 m
- AS.55 (III): 40 pax overland, or 20 Atlantic bunks
-- AS.55 (III) was to incl. in-flight refuelling
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...ects-from-1942.27668/#lg=thread-27668&slide=0

AS.56 - (Project) 1942 medium-alt. single-seat fighter
- AS.56: To Spec F.6/42 Hawker Typhoon repl.
- AS.56: Low-wing monoplane, 4 x 20 mm cannons
- AS.56: 1 x 2,240 hp Napier Sabre IV,* span 12.19 m
-- * Fan-cooled annular radiator to reduce drag
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-AS.56-fighter.12932/

AS.57 - 1947 Ambassador medium-range airliner, x 23
- AS.57: Ambassador 40-50-seater, AM Spec C.25/43
- AS.57: High-wing, triple fin, tricycle landing gear
- AS.57: (Project) 1947 2 x Bristol Hercules
-- 1947 project 40-seater, Arthur Hagg felt too small
- AS.57: 1st prototype, G-AGUA, first flew Sept 1947
-- 1st prototype: 2 x Bristol Centaurus 130s
- AS.57: 2nd prototype, G-AKDR became engine testbed*
-- * Napier Eland, R-R Dart & Tyne
- AS.57: 3rd prototype, G-ALFR to Napier as testbed**
-- ** 3,007 ehp Napier Eland E6.IV turboprop
- AS.57: Ambassador I 'Elizabethan' class
- AS.57: 2 x 2,625 hp Bristol Centaurus 631s
- AS.57: 1950 Ambassador I, 48-seat airliner
- AS.57: 2 x Bristol Centaurus 661s, prod. model
-- AS.57 G-AMAD (1st prod. a/c) conv. to freighter
-- AS.57 G-ALZR to R-R as Tyne turboprop testbed
-- http://www.britishaviation-ptp.com/airspeed_as57.html

AS.58 - 1943 Horsa II vehicle-transport glider
- AS.58: Hinged, swing-open nose; twin nose wheels
-- Related, self-recovering powered Horsa II
-- 2 x A-S Cheetahs or P&W Wasp radials
-- http://www.britishaviation-ptp.com/airspeed_as51.html
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-transport-projects-from-1942.27668/#post-300874

AS.59 - (Project) 1945 turboprop Ambassador II
- AS.59: Fuselage lengthened 1.52 m, 4 engine nacelles
- AS.59: 4 x Napier Naiads or Rolls-Royce Darts
-- Some sources also list twin-engined AS.59 variants*
-- * 2 x Bristol Proteus or Bristol Theseus**
-- ** This probably represents confusion with AS.68 (qv)

AS.60 - (Project) 1945 Ayrshire military transport
- AS.60: Military transport deriv. of Ambassador
- AS.60: 2 x Bristol Centaurus 130s, span 35.05 m
- AS.60: As AS.57 except clamshell rear fuselage doors*
-- * Necessitating raised rear fuselage and tailplane
-- To Air Ministry Specification C.13/45 (for OR.165)
-- 30 AS.60 ordered, VP219-VP248 to contract Acft/5958**
-- * Cancelled, poss. 10 x to Contract 6/Acft/783/CB.10
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/post-war-british-military-transports.5120/

AS.61 - (Project) 194? Douglas Dakota Mk.I conversion
- AS.61: Presumably conv. from military to civil stands
-- Dakota Mk.I was Lend-Lease C-47 [/i]Skytrain[/i]

AS.62 - (Project) 194? Douglas Dakota Mk.II conversion
- AS.62: Presumably conv. from military to civil stands
-- Dakota Mk.II was Lend-Lease C-53 [/i]Skytrooper[/i]

AS.63 - (Project) 194? Douglas Dakota Mk.III conversion
- AS.63: Presumably conv. from military to civil stands
-- Dakota Mk.IV was Lend-Lease C-47A [/i]Skytrain[/i]

AS.64 - (Project) 1945 military Ambassador for RAF
- AS.64: Military transport deriv. of Ambassador
- AS.64: As AS.60 (except poss. pod-and-boom fuselage)
-- Said to be to Air Ministry Spec C.26/43 (OR.156)*
-- * Seems very unlikely (C.26/43 led to DH.104 Dove)

AS.65 - 1946 Consul postwar Oxford conv.
- AS.65: 2 x 375 hp A-S Cheetah X 7-cyl radials*
-- * G-AKCW conv. to Alvis Leonides for Air Ministry
- AS.65 : Civil conv., 5-to-6 pax commuter airliner
- AS.65 : Civil conv., 4 pax executive transport a/c
- AS.65 : Ambulance conv., side litter-loading door
-- 3 x Turkish AF AS.65 ambulance Consuls, 1947
- AS.65 : Military conv., 2 x .303, underwing RP racks
-- Opt'l dorsal turret, not fitted to Burmese AF a/c
-- 27 x ex-RAF Oxford conv. (+ 10 not completed)
-- 36 x non-RAF Oxford conv.* (+6 not completed)
-- * Incl. 8 x Wasp Junior-powered ex-RCAF Mk.Vs
-- http://www.britishaviation-ptp.com/airspeed_as65.html

AS.66 - (Project) 1947 Ambassador civil freighter
- AS.66: Civil freighter vers. of AS.60 Ayrshire
- AS.66: 2 x Bristol Centaurus (??), span 35.05 m
- AS.66: As AS.67 (qv) except for cargo door arrangement*
-- * AS.66 having AS.60 clamshell rear fuselage doors**
-- PD Stemp: "side-loading 8 ft double doors on the port"
-- PD Stemp's ref. may be to an alt. to clamshell doors
-- To Air Ministry Specification C.13/45 (for OR.165)
-- https://www.mediastorehouse.com/p/164/freighter-version-airspeed-ambassador-9892943.jpg.webp

AS.67 - (Project) 1950 Ambassador civil freighter*
- AS.67: Civil freighter devel. of AS.60 Ayrshire
- AS.67: 2 x Bristol Centaurus (??), span 35.05 m
-- * Actually better described as 'combi' pax/freighter
-- NB: Span not incl. tip tanks shown in GA drawings
-- AS.67 differed from AS.66 in cargo door arrangment*
-- Side-hinged rear door forms a pod-and-boom fuselage
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-aircraft-projects.3327/
-- https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/airspeed-ambassador-as67-freighter-520300220

AS.68 - (Project) 195? turboprop Ambassador variant
- AS.68: 2 x Bristol Proteus turbopropellers
- AS.68: 4 x Rolls-Royce Dart turbopropellers
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airspeed-aircraft-projects.3327/#post-354762

AS.69 - (Project) 1951 twin-engined maritime recce a/c
- AS.69: Mid-wing, twin tail, based on Ambassador
- AS.69: Retract. radar radome just fwd of weapon bays
- AS.69: Glazed nose, obs. 'bubbles', 2 x dorsal turrets
- AS.69: 2 x Bristol Centaurus radials
_______________________________________________________

A Few Sources

http://www.britishaviation-ptp.com/airspeed.html (type list)

http://www.britishaviation-ptp.com/airspeed_prdn.html (production list links)

http://www.hatfield-herts.co.uk/aviation/airspeed.html (history)

http://www.hatfield-herts.co.uk/aviation/airspeed_1930-39.html (corporate timeline)
http://www.hatfield-herts.co.uk/aviation/airspeed_1940-68.html (corporate timeline)

Kites, Birds & Stuff - Over 150 Years of British Aviation: Volume 1, Makers & Manufacturers - A to C
by P. D. Stemp
 
(Glider designs. Poland / Great Britain.
In the late 1940s, Polish designers and engineers working in British
industry began to consider the possibility of organizing a Polish aviation
factory in the USA, Ireland, Argentina, or South Africa. Initially, the
products offered by the factory were to be various variants of the
"Gazela" training aircraft designed by Eng. Jerzy Dąbrowski and two
gliders
, designed jointly by Henryk Milicer and Thompson (Irishman),
working together at Airspeed ?.

samolotypolskie.pl - Milicer- Thompson szybowce )

I mentioned this from two days,but simple question,can we assume
that,there was anther two designations for those Projects,and maybe
they were AS.70 & AS.71 ?,could we ?.
 
Last edited:
On another note, regarding the Airspeed Envoys bought by Japan during the 1930s, including the one that was evaluated by the IJN:
 
(Glider designs. Poland / Great Britain.
In the late 1940s, Polish designers and engineers working in British
industry began to consider the possibility of organizing a Polish aviation
factory in the USA, Ireland, Argentina, or South Africa. Initially, the
products offered by the factory were to be various variants of the
"Gazela" training aircraft designed by Eng. Jerzy Dąbrowski and two
gliders
, designed jointly by Henryk Milicer and Thompson (Irishman),
working together at Airspeed ?.

samolotypolskie.pl - Milicer- Thompson szybowce )

I mentioned this from two days,but simple question,can we assume
that,there was anther two designations for those Projects,and maybe
they were AS.70 & AS.71 ?,could we ?.

That Dąbrowski trainer was the Gazelle (not "Gazela").
-- https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/dabrowski-gazelle-of-1938-and-1943.16475/

Thompson and Milicer (aka Henry K. Millicer) had their own designation sequence for gliders - eg: the T.M.2 laminar-flow high performance sailplane. One assumes that there must also have been a 'T.M.1'?
 
From Aeroplane monthly 1981.
 

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