ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH AW.27
ENSIGN - Four-engined
27-40 passenger airliner designed by J Lloyd to an Imperial Airways specification
in 1934, and first flown on January 24, 1938, at Hamble. Twelve Ensign
Mk 1 (935 hp Tiger IXC engines) built, all used by National Air Communications
service (with civilian crews and registrations) from September 1939 to
June 1940.
Armstrong Whitworth Ensign II: Eight surviving Ensign Is con-verted
1941-43 to have 950 hp Cyclone GR-1820-G102A engines plus two new-built
aircraft to similar standard, with gross weight of 55,500 Ib (25,174 kg)
and max speed of 210 mph (338 km/h). Based in Middle East to operate BOAC
routes from East Africa to India until end of War. One force-landed in
French West Africa February 1942, then used by Vichy French forces and
Air France until impressed for service with Luftwaffe.
