Armstrong Whitworth A.W.41 Albemarle
For a description of the format and data included in Production Tables, see here.
Contents
Type Description
- A.W.41 Albemarle B.Mk.I
- Mid-wing, cantilever monoplane medium bomber with twin fins and rudders, featuring a tricycle undercarriage and using non strategic materials, to Specification B.9/38 and later Specification B.18/38, to meet the requirements of OR.60. Per Williams [3] and Buttler [4], it was an original John Lloyd design for Armstrong Whitworth and not, as is often reported, derived from the Bristol Type 155. The fuselage was built in primary three sections, the structure being composed of unstressed plywood over a steel tube frame, including four circular steel longerons. The centre section of the wing was a single piece that ran through the fuselage, being built around a steel tube girder; it formed the attachment points for the central and nose fuselage sections, as well as the engines, main undercarriage legs, and extension wings. Aside from a portion of the leading edge that used light alloys, the majority of the wing was covered in plywood. The extension wings were almost entirely made of wood, save for the bracing of the two spars by steel tubing; the Frise-type ailerons and tailplane were also composed of wood. Lockheed-designed hydraulically-operated, retractable tricycle undercarriage was fitted, the main wheels retracting back into the engine nacelles, and the nose wheel retracting backwards into the front fuselage, while the tail wheel was fixed in position, albeit semi-concealed by a "bumper" configuration. Defensive armament included one Boulton Paul four gun dorsal turret and two gun manually operated ventral 'dustbin'.
In its initial bomber configuration, the aircraft had a crew of six; two pilots, navigator/bomb-aimer, radio operator and two gunners, but in its GT role only one gunner was carried, and as a transport, none. The first prototype initially featured short span wings and small area fins and rudders. Two 1,590 h.p. Bristol Hercules XI powerplants.
- A.W.41 Albemarle S.T.Mk.I
- Special Transport version of B.Mk.I; bombing gear and dorsal turret removed, replaced with hand operated twin-guns under a sliding hood. A freight door added on the starboard side.
- A.W.41 Albemarle G.T.Mk.I
- Glider Tug. B.Mk.I fitted with Malcolm glider towing gear.
- A.W.41 Albemarle S.T.Mk.II
- Troop Carrier. S.T.Mk.I with seating for 10 paratroops and a dropping hatch in the floor.
- A.W.41 Albemarle G.T.Mk.II
- S.T.Mk.II fitted with Malcolm glider towing gear.
- A.W.41 Albemarle Mk.IV
- Mk.1 with two 1,600 h.p. Wright GR-2600-A5B Cyclone 14 powerplants.
- A.W.41 Albemarle S.T.Mk.V
- S.T.Mk.II with fuel jettison equipment to meet the requirements of OR.173. Dorsal turret retained.
- A.W.41 Albemarle S.T.Mk.VI
- S.T.Mk.V with larger freight door.
- A.W.41 Albemarle G.T.Mk.VI
- S.T.Mk.VI with Malcolm towing gear.
- A.W.41 Albemarle G.T.Mk.VI
- G.T.Mk.VI srs.i with dorsal turret removed.
| A.W.41 Albemarle Mk.I Specification | |||||||||
| Span | Length | Height | Wing Area | Empty Wt | Max AUW | Cruise Speed | Maximum Speed | Range | Service Ceiling |
| 77 ft | 59 ft 11 in | 15 ft 7 in | 803.5 sq ft | 25347 lb | 36500 lb | 170 mph/ 148 kn | 265 mph/ 230 kn | 1300 mi | 18000 ft |
| 23.47 m | 18.26 m | 4.75 m | 74.65 m2 | 11497 kg | 16556 kg | 274 km/h | 426 km/h | 2092 km | 5486 m |
Projected Variants
- A.W.41 Albemarle Mk.III
- Proposed variant with Rolls-Royce Merlin powerplants.
Production Details
| Serial Range | C/n | Type (1) | Batch Qty |
Conv. | Canc'd | Notes |
| 2 prototypes ordered from Armstrong Whitworth and assembled by Air Service Training Ltd., Hamble, to Contract 816726/38, Requisition 160/E1/38. | ||||||
| P1360 - P1361 | Prototype | 2 | ||||
| 198 aircraft ordered from Gloster Aircraft, Brockworth, to Contract B.40671/39, Requisition 160/E1/30. Contract transferred to A.W.Hawksley (see note 2). Delivered between October 1940 and March 1943. See note 3. |
||||||
| P1362 - P1409 | Mk.I | 48 | (1) | P1406 converted to the prototype Mk.IV | ||
| P1430 - P1479 | 50 | |||||
| P1500 - P1529 | 30 | |||||
| P1550 - P1569 | 20 | |||||
| P1590 - P1609 | 20 | |||||
| P1630 - P1659 | 30 | |||||
| 102 aircraft ordered from Gloster Aircraft, Brockworth, to Contract B.53250/39, Requisition 1/E11/39. Contract transferred to A.W.Hawksley (see note 2). 2 aircraft delivered as Mk.I and100 Mk.II. Delivered between March 1943 and January 1944. See note 4. |
||||||
| V1598 - V1599 | Mk.I | 2 | ||||
| V1600 - V1647 | Mk.II | 48 | ||||
| V1694 - V1723 | 30 | |||||
| V1738 - V1759 | 22 | |||||
| 678 aircraft ordered from Gloster Aircraft, Brockworth, to Contract B.53250/39, Requisition 1/E11/42. Contract transferred to A.W.Hawksley (see note 2). 1 aircraft delivered as Mk.IV, 49 Mk.V and 150 Mk.VI. 478 Mk.VI cancelled. Delivered between March and November 1944. See note 4. |
||||||
| V1760 | Mk.IV | 1 | ||||
| V1761 - V1787 | Mk.V | 27 | ||||
| V1809 - V1828 | 20 | |||||
| V1841 - V1842 | 2 | |||||
| V1843 - V1885 | Mk.VI | 43 | ||||
| V1917 - V1941 | 25 | |||||
| V1962 - V2011 | 50 | |||||
| V2025 - V2039 | 15 | |||||
| V2040 - V2054 | 15 | |||||
| V2067 - V2068 | 2 | |||||
| V2069 - V2116 | 48 | |||||
| V2155 - V2179 | 25 | |||||
| V2193 - V2242 | 50 | |||||
| V2271 - V2300 | 30 | |||||
| V2314 - V2353 | 40 | |||||
| V2377 - V2406 | 30 | |||||
| V2440 - V2464 | 25 | |||||
| V2503 - V2542 | 40 | |||||
| V2573 - V2622 | 50 | |||||
| V2636 - V2665 | 30 | |||||
| V2681 - V2720 | 40 | |||||
| V2749 - V2798 | 50 | |||||
| V2812 - V2831 | 20 | |||||
| 191 aircraft ordered from A.V. Roe, to Contract B.53249/39. Cancelled. | ||||||
| V2835 - V2884 | Mk.VI | 50 | ||||
| V2933 - V2952 | 20 | |||||
| V2966 - V3000 | 35 | |||||
| V3017 - V3066 | 50 | |||||
| V3085 - V3120 | 36 | |||||
| 800 aircraft ordered from A.V. Roe, to Contract B.53249/39. Cancelled. | ||||||
| X1391 - X1440 | Mk.VI | 50 | ||||
| X1465 - X1499 | 35 | |||||
| X1516 - X1555 | 40 | |||||
| X1580 - X1609 | 30 | |||||
| X1648 - X1692 | 45 | |||||
| X1717 - X1741 | 25 | |||||
| X1790 - X1799 | 10 | |||||
| X1812 - X1846 | 35 | |||||
| X1893 - X1932 | 40 | |||||
| X1965 - X1999 | 35 | |||||
| X2026 - X2045 | 20 | |||||
| X2092 - X2106 | 15 | |||||
| X2133 - X2177 | 45 | |||||
| X2194 - X2228 | 35 | |||||
| X2253 - X2267 | 15 | |||||
| X2304 - X2353 | 50 | |||||
| X2402 - X2446 | 45 | |||||
| X2483 - X2517 | 35 | |||||
| X2542 - X2566 | 25 | |||||
| X2579 - X2613 | 35 | |||||
| X2630 - X2654 | 25 | |||||
| X2687 - X2736 | 50 | |||||
| X2753 - X2787 | 35 | |||||
| X2836 - X2860 | 25 | |||||
| 100 aircraft ordered from A.W.Hawksley, Brockworth, to Contract B.53250/39, Requisition 1/E11/42. To meet USSR requirement. Cancelled and transferred to RAF. See note 4. | ||||||
| LV482 - LV501 | Mk.VI | 20 | ||||
| LV532 - LV577 | 46 | |||||
| LV590 - LV623 | 34 | |||||
| 200 aircraft ordered from A.W.Hawksley, Brockworth, to Contract B.53250/39, Requisition 1/E11/42. To meet USSR requirement. Cancelled. See note 4. | ||||||
| NG506 - NG548 | Mk.VI | 35 | ||||
| NG561 - NG603 | 35 | |||||
| NG617 - NG656 | 35 | |||||
| NG669 - NG710 | 35 | |||||
| NG723 - NG754 | 35 | |||||
| Total Production | 602 | (1) | 1669 | |||
Aircraft Delivered to the Soviet Union
| Serial | Notes |
| 14 aircraft intended for Soviet Union. 11 delivered to the Soviet Union between March and April 1943, 3 crashed during delivery. | |
| P1455 | Lost 11 March 1943 during the delivery flight to the Soviet Union. |
| P1477 | To GVF (Grazdanskovo Vozdushnogo Flota - civil air fleet) as CCCP-L406, May 1943. |
| P1503 | Crashed in Scotland before the delivery flight to the Soviet Union. |
| P1562 | To GVF as CCCP-L408, May 1943. |
| P1567 | Left Scotland for Moscow-Vnukovo 03 March 1943 as the first to be delivered. To GVF as CCCP-L400, May 1943. |
| P1590 | To GVF as CCCP-L401, May 1943. |
| P1595 | Scheduled to GVF as CCCP-L409, but ntu due to accident. |
| P1636 | To GVF as CCCP-L402, May 1943. |
| P1637 | To GVF as CCCP-L407, May 1943. |
| P1638 | To GVF as CCCP-L410, May 1943. |
| P1640 | To GVF as CCCP-L403, May 1943. |
| P1642 | To GVF as CCCP-L404, May 1943. |
| P1645 | Lost 27 April 1943 during the delivery flight to the Soviet Union. |
| P1647 | To GVF as CCCP-L405, May 1943. |
Production Summary
All Aircraft By Mark
| Type | Built New | Conv | Canc'd | Total |
| Prototype | 2 | 2 | ||
| Albemarle Mk.I | 200 | 200 | ||
| Albemarle Mk.II | 100 | 100 | ||
| Albemarle Mk.IV | 1 | (1) | 2 | |
| Albemarle Mk.V | 49 | 49 | ||
| Albemarle Mk.VI | 250 | 1669 | 1919 | |
| 602 | (1) | 1669 |
Air Ministry Contracts Associated With Albemarle Production
| Contract | Requisition | Constructor | Total |
| 816726/38 | 160/E1/38 | Armstrong Whitworth | 2 |
| B.40671/39 | 160/E1/30 | A.W.Hawksley | 198 |
| B.53249/39 | Avro | 0 | |
| B.53250/39 | 1/E11/39 | A.W.Hawksley | 302 |
| B.20357/39 | 1/E11/42 | A.W.Hawksley | 100 |
Notes
- The Mark numbers allocated are clearly defined in the RAF contract delivery cards [8]. However, role designations are not, but they are given in most publications on the Albemarle, and those from Tapper [1], Bowyer [2] and Williams [3] are reviewed here. Unsurprisingly, there are differences. Without further evidence, this author draws no conclusions.
In addition to role designations, both Tapper and Bowyer allude to series suffices. Definition of Mark/Role/Series designations can be found in the Produced Variants list, but note the following:- This author understands that the use of "series ii" with respect to Mk.I aircraft relates to the addition of glider towing gear. As such, the use of a series ii suffix with G.T. (Glider Tug) role designation would seem superfluous.
- The use of a "Mk.IIa" and "series iii" by Bowyer [2] is both unique to him and undefined. As such, they have been omitted from the Produced Variants list.
Albermarle Role and Series DesignationsTapper Serial Range Type Batch Qty P1360 - P1361 Prototype 2 P1362 - P1401 Mk.I 40 P1402 - P1409 G.T.Mk.I 8 P1430 - P1478 G.T.Mk.I 49 P1479 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 1 P1500 - P1510 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 11 P1511 - P1529 G.T.Mk.I 19 P1550 - P1553 G.T.Mk.I 4 P1554 - P1569 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 16 P1590 - P1609 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 20 P1630 - P1659 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 30 V1598 - V1599 Mk.I 2 V1600 G.T.Mk.II 1 V1601 - V1647 S.T.Mk.II 47 V1694 - V1723 S.T.Mk.II 30 V1738 - V1759 S.T.Mk.II 22 V1760 Mk.IV 1 V1761 - V1787 S.T.Mk.V 27 V1809 - V1828 S.T.Mk.V 20 V1841 - V1842 S.T.Mk.V 2 V1843 - V1885 S.T.Mk.VI 43 V1917 - V1941 S.T.Mk.VI 25 V1962 - V2011 S.T.Mk.VI 50 V2025 - V2039 S.T.Mk.VI 15 V2040 - V2054 G.T.Mk.VI srs.i 15 V2067 - V2068 G.T.Mk.VI srs.i 2 LV482 - LV501 G.T.Mk.VI srs.ii 20 LV532 - LV577 G.T.Mk.VI srs.ii 46 LV590 - LV623 G.T.Mk.VI srs.ii 34 Bowyer Serial Range Type Batch Qty P1360 - P1361 Prototype 2 P1362 - P1369 Mk.I srs.i 8 P1370 - P1371 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 2 P1372 - P1373 Mk.I srs.i 2 P1374 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 1 P1375 - P1376 Mk.I srs.i 2 P1377 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 1 P1378 Mk.I srs.i 1 P1379 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 1 P1380 - P1384 Mk.I srs.i 5 P1385 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 1 P1386 - P1394 Mk.I srs.i 9 P1395 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 1 P1396 Mk.I srs.i 1 P1397 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 1 P1398 - P1401 Mk.I srs.i 4 P1402 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1403 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1404 - P1409 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 6 P1430 - P1432 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 3 P1433 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1434 - P1446 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 13 P1447 - P1448 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 2 P1449 - P1451 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 3 P1452 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1453 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1454 - P1457 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 4 P1458 - P1471 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 14 P1472 - P1473 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 2 P1474 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1475 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1476 - P1478 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 3 P1479 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1500 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1501 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1502 - P1510 S.T.Mk.I srs.iii 9 P1511 - P1518 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 8 P1519 - P1520 S.T.Mk.I srs.iii 2 P1521 - P1529 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 9 P1550 - P1553 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 4 P1554 - P1556 S.T.Mk.I srs.iii 3 P1557 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 1 P1558 - P1569 S.T.Mk.I srs.iii 12 P1590 - P1609 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 20 P1630 - P1659 S.T.Mk.I srs.iii 30 V1598 - V1599 G.T.Mk.I srs.iii 2 V1600 - V1605 G.T.Mk.II 6 V1606 - V1647 G.T.Mk.IIa 42 V1694 - V1723 G.T.Mk.IIa 30 V1738 - V1759 G.T.Mk.IIa 22 V1760 Mk.IV 1 V1761 - V1787 S.T.Mk.V 27 V1809 - V1828 S.T.Mk.V 20 V1841 - V1842 S.T.Mk.V 2 V1843 - V1885 G.T./S.T.Mk.VI 43 V1917 - V1941 G.T./S.T.Mk.VI 25 V1962 - V2011 G.T./S.T.Mk.VI 50 V2025 - V2039 G.T./S.T.Mk.VI 15 V2040 - V2054 G.T./S.T.Mk.VI 15 V2067 - V2068 G.T.Mk.VI srs.ii 2 LV482 - LV501 G.T.Mk.VI srs.ii 20 LV532 - LV577 G.T.Mk.VI srs.ii 46 LV590 - LV623 G.T.Mk.VI srs.ii 34 Williams Serial Range Type Batch Qty P1360 - P1361 Prototype 2 P1362 - P1393 Mk.I 32 P1394 - P1409 G.T.Mk.I 16 P1430 - P1478 G.T.Mk.I 49 P1479 S.T.Mk.I 1 P1500 - P1510 S.T.Mk.I 11 P1511 - P1529 G.T.Mk.I 19 P1550 - P1553 G.T.Mk.I 4 P1554 - P1569 S.T.Mk.I 16 P1590 - P1609 S.T.Mk.I 20 P1630 - P1659 S.T.Mk.I 30 V1598 - V1599 G.T.Mk.I 2 V1600 - V1647 G.T./S.T.Mk.II 48 V1694 - V1723 G.T./S.T.Mk.II 30 V1738 - V1759 G.T./S.T.Mk.II 22 V1760 Mk.IV 1 V1761 - V1787 S.T.Mk.V 27 V1809 - V1828 S.T.Mk.V 20 V1841 - V1842 S.T.Mk.V 2 V1843 - V1885 S.T.Mk.VI 43 V1917 - V1941 S.T.Mk.VI 25 V1962 - V2011 S.T.Mk.VI 50 V2025 - V2039 S.T.Mk.VI 15 V2040 - V2054 G.T.Mk.VI 15 V2067 - V2068 G.T.Mk.VI 2 LV482 - LV501 G.T.Mk.VI 20 LV532 - LV577 G.T.Mk.VI 46 LV590 - LV623 G.T.Mk.VI 34 Summary of how these three authors use role Mark/Role/Series designations is in the following tables:
Albermarle Role and Series Summary
Tapper Type Batch Qty Prototype 2 Mk.I 42 G.T.Mk.I 80 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 12 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 66 G.T.Mk.II 1 S.T.Mk.II 99 Mk.IV 1 S.T.Mk.V 49 S.T.Mk.VI 133 G.T.Mk.VI srs.i 17 G.T.Mk.VI srs.ii 100 Bowyer Type Batch Qty Prototype 2 Mk.I srs.i 32 G.T.Mk.I srs.ii 88 G.T.Mk.I srs.iii 2 S.T.Mk.I srs.i 8 S.T.Mk.I srs.ii 14 S.T.Mk.I srs.iii 56 G.T.Mk.II 6 G.T.Mk.IIa 94 Mk.IV 1 S.T.Mk.V 49 G.T./S.T.Mk.VI 148 G.T.Mk.VI srs.ii 102 Albermarle Role Summary
Type Tapper Bowyer Williams Batch Qty Batch Qty Batch Qty Prototype 2 2 2 Mk.I 42 32 32 G.T.Mk.I 80 90 90 S.T.Mk.I 78 78 78 G.T.Mk.II 1 100 S.T.Mk.II 99 G.T./S.T.Mk.II 100 Mk.IV 1 1 1 S.T.Mk.V 49 49 49 S.T.Mk.VI 133 133 G.T./S.T.Mk.VI 148 G.T.Mk.VI 117 102 117 Finally, the usage of the four gun dorsal turret is unclear. It is indicated that it was removed on the S.T.Mk.I, but most photographs of that Mark show the turret fitted. Does that mean that it was fitted to G.T.Mk.I aircraft? Also, the Mk.V is indicated as a Mk.II with fuel jettison, but any Mk.V photos I have seen clearly show a turret fitted.
- The Hawker Siddeley Group formed a new company at Brockworth, A.W. Hawksley Ltd, to be responsible for the assembly of the Albemarle.The aircraft were assembled using sub assemblies that came from more than a thousand subcontractors, including Harris Lebus Ltd., the Rover Car Co. and MG Motors.
- Per Albemarle contract delivery card, it was initially intended that the aircraft "be produced alternatively for bomber and G.R. use and will be modified with de-icing or barrage balloon cutter gear.
1st 70 a/c neither wing de-icing nor barrage cutters.
ii) Approximately next 130 wing de-icing only.
iii) Approx: the 200th a/c onwards, produced in batches of 50 alternating between: a) those fitted de-icing.
b) those fitted barrage balloon cutter." It is not known how much the production aircraft followed this memo. - The first part of Contract B.53250/39 to A.W. Hawksley, per Requisition No. A.A.1/E.11/39, was for 2 Mk.I and 100 Mk.II in batches between V1598 and V1759 as indicated.
The second part, per Requisition No. A.A.1/E.11/42, was initially for 550 Mk.IV, beginning with V1696 - V1723 and continuing through V2068, followed by LV482 - LV623 and NG506 - NG754, all in the indicated batches. This was then reduced to 300 Mk.IV aircraft V1760 - V2068 and LV482 - LV623 in the indicated batches, until finally only one Mk.IV was ordered, along with 49 Mk.V, the remaining 250 becoming Mk.VI.
Production References
- Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Since 1913, Oliver Tapper (Putnam., 1973)
- Aircraft For The Royal Air Force, M.J.F. Bowyer (Faber and Faber Ltd., 1980)
- The Unloved Albemarle, Ray Williams, Air Enthusiast Quarterly #39 (May-Aug 1989)
- British Secret Projects 4: Bombers 1935 to 1950, Tony Buttler (Crecy, 2020)
- Royal Air Force Aircraft P1000 - R9999, James J. Halley (Air Britain (Historians), 1996)
- Royal Air Force Aircraft W1000 - Z9999, James J. Halley (Air Britain (Historians), 1998)
- Western-built aircraft in Soviet and Eastern Block service, available from: http://www.oldwings.nl/st/foreigners.pdf
- RAF Air Historical Branch: Serial Ledger (Dept of Archive and Aviation Records, RAF Museum, Hendon, Records MF-1 thru 5)
- RAF Air Historical Branch: Contract Delivery Cards (Dept of Archive and Aviation Records, RAF Museum, Hendon, Records MFC-78-8-1)
Page Revision History
Revised at Version 2.0.0- Improved Type Description and Added Specification details.
- Added Requisition Numbers.
- Added Air Ministry Contracts Table.
- Page completely rewritten