Airspeed AS.6 Envoy

For a description of the format and data included in Production Tables, see here.

Contents

Type Description

• AS.6 Envoy
• 6/8 passenger twin-engined development of the Courier, of all-wood construction apart from fabric covered control surfaces. The plywood skinned semi-monocoque fuselage featured spruce longerons and stiffeners. The wing's centre section was integral with the fuselage, while the outer wing's structure was identical to that of the Courier, as was the main undercarriage. Early-built aircraft did not feature flaps unlike later production models (see Series definitions). In a typical configuration, the cabin could accommodate eight passengers along with a single pilot, while the normal fuel capacity was 78 gallons, accommodated within a pair of aluminium tanks in the centre section. A separate aft compartment was normally used to store baggage, accessible via an exterior door on the starboard side of the aircraft. If the optional lavatory was installed, a reduced maximum capacity of six passengers was necessary. Passenger access to the cabin was via a single door on the port side of the aircraft. Two 200 h.p. Wolseley A.R.9 Mk.II powerplants.

• AS.6A Envoy
• As AS.6, fitted with two 215 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IVC powerplants

• AS.6D Envoy
• As AS.6, fiited with two 350 h.p. Wright R-760-E2 Whirlwind 7 powerplants.

• AS.6E Envoy
• As AS.6, fitted with two 340 h.p. Walter Castor II powerplants.

• AS.6G Envoy
• As AS.6, fitted with two 230 h.p. Wolseley Scorpio I powerplants.

• AS.6H Envoy
• As AS.6, fitted with two 225 h.p. Wolseley Aries III powerplants.

• AS.6J Envoy
• As AS.6, fitted with two 310 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX powerplants.

• AS.6JC Envoy
• AS.6J optimised as military/civil convertible - civil variant.

• AS.6JM Envoy
• AS.6J optimised as military/civil convertible; military variant, fitted with bomb racks, fixed fwd firing gun and a dorsal gun turret.

• AS.6K Envoy
• As AS.6, fiited with two 230 h.p. Wolseley Scorpio II powerplants.

Note: Most, but not all, Cheetah powered aircraft featured close-cowled powerplants. All others featured Townend rings.

Projected Variants

• AS.6B
• Seaplane variant.

• AS.6C
• Seaplane variant.

• AS.6F
• Photographic survey variant.

• (none)
• General Coastal Reconnaissance aircraft to Specification 18/35.

Production Details

Foreign Derivatives

Notes

1. Seven convertible civil/military Envoy IIs ordered under Contract No.470225/35 to Specification 39/35. Hamlin [2] indicates c/n's 45 and 46 as AS.6D and and AB-IX [4] indicates c/n's 45/46/49/50/51 the same. To this author, it seems unlikely that the order against this contract would mix engine types.
2. Various attempts were made to supply the indicated aircraft to the Spanish Republican forces before the next indicated ownwership, but were blocked. [2],[4].
3. It is possible that c/n 63/64/65 were also Envoys allocated to Eric Hoffman (see c/n's 61/62) but not delivered [4].
4. Mitsubishi serial listing per Air Britain [4] [5] and Taylor [1], though Taylor omits J-BAOX. Hamlin [2] differs in that he has J-BACO rather than J-BAOD (possibly confused with J-BDCO, c/n 43?). Air Britain Archive [5] gives J-BACO as Salmson 2A2/Kawasaki or later Gasuden KR-2. C/n's are unconfirmed
5. Taylor [1] and Middleton [7] indicate this as an AS.6, but Hamlin [2] and Air Britain [4] give it as an AS.6A. Photgraphic evidence would appear to give it as the former.
6. Aerodynamic problems with the short engine nacelles of the first Envoys led Airspeed to develop a longer nacelle which extended just beyond the wing trailing edge. The first aircraft so fitted appears to be c/n 30, possibly some time after first flight, as c/n 31 still retained the shorter nacelles. All following could be expected to feature the long nacelles. However, photographic evidence shows c/n's 38 and 41 also with short nacelles.
7. Taylor [1] and Air Britain Archive [6] and indicate J-BDAO, 'CO and 'DO as being an AS.6, with J-BDBO and 'EO as AS.6A, some of which appears to be born out by supporting photographs. Hamlin [2] gives only J-BDDO as an AS.6.
8. J-BEYG, an unidentified Envoy of Japanese Air Transport Co, is also reportedly c/n 41, delivered new to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries October 1935; operated by Imperial Japanese Navy June 1936, prior to transfer as J-BAOH September 1936 [4].
9. Taylor [1] and Air Britain Archive [5] indicate this as possibly J-BAOI.
10. Two Envoys were operated by the Croatian Air Force as 2001 and 2002, delivered via Germany in 1943. Probably ex Czech. [4]

Production References

1. Airspeed Aircraft Since 1931, H.A. Taylor (Putnam, 1970)
2. Oxford, Consul and Envoy File, John F. Hamlin (Air-Britain Publications, 2001)
3. Impressments Logs, Peter W. Moss (Air Britain Publications, 1962-66)
4. http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/pdfs/airspeed_prewar.pdf
5. Air Britain Archive 1/1997 (Air Britain Publications)
6. Air Britain Archive 3/1998 (Air Britain Publications)
7. Aeroplane Monthly, Sep 1978
8. RAF Air Historical Branch: Contract Delivery Cards (Dept of Archive and Aviation Records, RAF Museum, Hendon, Records MFC-78-8-1)