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