Air Weapons

Transport (1943)

Armstrong Whitworth

Albemarle

Albemarle

Originally designed as a bomber, the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle was used as a transport and glider tug throughout most of the course of the war. It was intended to be built using non-essential materials such as steel and plywood in place of light alloys which would have been in short supply during wartime and manufactured by non-aviation subcontractors but, in the event, its use as a bomber was never fulfilled. It is in the glider tug role that Albemarles were in action during all British airborne assaults after 1943 including the invasions of Sicily and Normandy and later during the failed Arnhem landings, they were also employed as pathfinders for parachute troops and special operations mostly in Europe and North Africa. The Albemarle was also notable for being the first British aircraft with tricycle undercarriage and some were even sent to Russia though it is unknown what became of them or even if they arrived.

The AW.41 Albemarle's maiden flight ended in a crash, the second flight was accomplished on 20 March 1940. It had originally designed as the Bristol Type 155 and only later taken over by Armstrong Whitworth. Production difficulties led to the Mk. I entering service until January 1943 initially as a bomber but after the first few dozen examples production was changed into a transport and glider tug, with the original bombers converted also. The Mk. I was was the major production variant although Mk. II, V and VI special transports and glider tugs were also developed. A single Mk. IV was also built with Wright Double Cyclone engines but never adopted in any production run.

Preceded by:

None

Succeeded by:

None

Datafile

DesignAlbemarle Mk. I
TypeTransport
Year1943
Crew4
Dimensions
Length18.24 m
Height4.750 m
Wing Span23.47 m
Wing Arean/a
Weight
Empty9,888 kg
Maximum16,556 kg
Wing Loading221.8 kg/m²
Performance
Speed426 km/h
Ceiling5,486 m
Range2,092 km
Powerplant
Engine2 x Hercules XI
Bristol
1,186 kW
Thrust/Weight0.29
Armament
Guns2 x .303-in
Browning Mk. II
Payload1,361 kg
Production
Built200
Total602