Airspeed Ltd History and Aircraft Development

Airspeed Ltd. was a British aircraft manufacturer that played a significant role in the development of aviation technology during the early 20th century.

The company was founded in 1931 by Nevil Shute Norway, who would later become a renowned author.

Airspeed's first aircraft, the AS.6 Ferry, was designed for military transport and made its first flight in 1933.

The Ferry's design was notable for its use of a single wing, which provided improved efficiency and reduced drag.

Airspeed went on to produce a range of aircraft, including the AS.10 Oxford, a twin-engine trainer that became a staple of British military flight training.

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Airspeed Ltd. was founded in 1931, but it wasn't until March 1933 that the company moved to Portsmouth, where the City Council gave them generous terms for a factory building constructed at the local airport.

The first Airspeed Courier was flown from Portsmouth in 1933, and it was followed by the first twin-engined development of the Courier, the Airspeed Envoy, in 1934.

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In 1934, six Couriers were sold to an operating company for a hire purchase deposit of £5 each, but Nevil Shute Norway, the company's founder, resisted writing them down on the books because he believed they would sell immediately in the event of war.

A long-range racing version of the Envoy, the AS.8 Viceroy, was developed in 1934 for the England-Australia MacRobertson Air Race.

The demonstration Envoy was sold to the Spanish Nationalists for £6000 in cash in 1936, and most of the unsold Couriers and Envoys were sold and found their way to the Spanish Civil War around the same time.

In 1934, Airspeed negotiated a licensing agreement with Fokker, and in 1935, they signed a manufacturing licensing agreement for the Douglas DC-2 and several Fokker types, with Fokker to be a consultant for seven years.

Airspeed considered making the Fokker D.XVII fighter for Greece in 1935, but the deal ultimately fell through due to the growing tensions leading up to war.

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Airspeed Ltd. was an aircraft manufacturer that produced a range of planes, including the AS.30 Queen Wasp, which first took to the skies in 1937.

The company's aircraft designs were innovative for their time, and the AS.30 Queen Wasp was one of its notable early successes.

One of the company's most famous aircraft is the AS.51 Horsa I, which was first flown on September 12, 1941.

The Horsa I was a significant aircraft in its own right, but it's also worth noting that the company continued to develop its designs over the years.

Airspeed Ltd. also produced the AS.65 Consul, which made its first flight in March 1946.

The company's aircraft were used for a variety of purposes, including military and civilian applications.

Here's a list of some of the notable aircraft produced by Airspeed Ltd.:

Airspeed Ltd., a company with a rich history in aviation.

The company's aircraft were designated with unique types, which were often referred to as "Airspeed Type Designations."

These designations were first mentioned in Flight magazine on February 23, 1951, in an article that has been archived since 2017.

Airspeed's aircraft were known for their innovative designs, which were showcased in several publications, including Neville Shute's book "Slide Rule" published in 1954.

The book highlighted the company's aircraft, specifically on pages 233 and 234.

If you're interested in learning more about Airspeed's aircraft, here are some key specifications mentioned in the book:

Airspeed Ltd. was founded in 1931 by Nevil Shute Norway, a British engineer and novelist.

The company's first aircraft, the AS.1, was designed and built in 1931, and it was a single-engine, three-seat biplane.

Airspeed's early success led to the development of the AS.4 Ferry, a twin-engine aircraft designed for transporting people and goods.

The AS.5 Courier, a single-engine, three-seat biplane, was designed for postal services and was first flown in 1933.

In 1934, Airspeed began producing the AS.6 Envoy, a twin-engine aircraft designed for passenger transport.

The AS.10 Oxford, a twin-engine, multi-role aircraft, was designed for military and civilian use and first flew in 1937.

Airspeed's aircraft played a significant role in World War II, with many of their designs being used by the British military.

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