AIRSPEED ENVOY

One of three AS.6JM(II) Convertible Airspeed Envoys, No 253 (also ZS-ALF) served with the SAAF Air Survey Flight.

 

AIRSPEED AS.6 ENVOY - A twin-engined six/eight passenger light transport designed to complement the Airspeed Courier, the Airspeed Envoy first flew on June 26, 1934 at Portsmouth, with 200 hp Wolseley AR.9 Mk II engines. Last five of 82 Airspeed Envoys built were against an Air Ministry contract (to Specification 24/38) and taken on charge in March 1939 for communications duties. Two others acquired by RAF August 1938 and assigned to similar duties in India, serving until 1942. Four more, ex-civil, impressed for RAF use in UK, including one (to Specification 6/37) used by Royal Flight from 1937. Three with dorsal gun turrets (to Specification 39/35) purchased by SAAF in 1936 and four more impressed from SAA in 1938; surviving examples used for reconnaissance and survey flights over . Ethiopia and Somaliland, 1940. Production Airspeed Envoys powered by 240 hp Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IVC or 350 hp Cheetah IX engines; data apply to latter version, known as Airspeed Envoy III.

Max speed, 210 mph (338 km/h) at 7,300 ft (2,226 m). Cruising range, 650 mis (1,045 km). Gross weight, 6,300 Ib (2,860 kg). Span, 52ft 4 in (15.94 m). Length, 34 ft 6 in (10.53m).