ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH ATALANTA
A.W.15 Atalanta, originally G-ABTL 'Astraea', impressed as DG450 to serve with No 1 (Madras) and No 3 (Calcutta) Flights, IAF, until August 1942
AW.15 Atalanta, originally G-ABTL 'Astraea', impressed as DG450 to serve with No 1 (Madras) and No 3 (Calcutta) Flights, IAF, until August 1942

ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH AW.15 ATALANTA - Four-engined high-wing 17-seat transport built for Imperial Airways and Indian National in 1932. Five survivors of original fleet of eight impressed (as DG450-DG454) April 1941 in India and used to evacuate civilians during Iraqi rebellion, then operated by No 1 (Madras) and No 3 (Calcutta) Flights, IAF on coastal patrols, with defensive armament of one 0.303-in (7.7-mm) machine gun and crew of three. Retired August 1942. Four 340 hp Serval III engines .

Max speed, 156 mph (251 km/h) at 3,000 ft (914 m). Gross weight, 21,000 Ib (9,525 kg). Span, 90ft 0 in (27.43 m). Length, 71 ft 6 in (21.79m).