Airspeed Courier

Airspeed Ltd. · United Kingdom · first flew 1933 · airliner

The Airspeed Courier was a British single-engine low-wing monoplane airliner of the 1930s, historically significant as the first British aircraft with retractable undercarriage to enter commercial service. Its clean design offered considerably better performance than contemporary fixed-gear biplanes.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	8.69 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

First British aircraft with retractable undercarriage in service
Single-engine low-wing 1930s British airliner
Sleek monoplane carrying five passengers

Distinguished by its very clean low-wing layout with retractable gear — unusual for British civil aircraft of 1933 — and the single radial engine with a well-fitted cowling.

Specifications

The Airspeed Courier has a length of 8.69 m (29 ft).
It has a wingspan of 14.33 m (47 ft).
Its maximum speed is 246 km/h (153 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot, up to 5 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed by A.H. Tiltman and Nevil Shute Norway (the novelist), the Courier first flew in 1933 and was operated by British airlines on short domestic routes. It achieved publicity when used in the 1934 MacRobertson Air Race to Australia. Only sixteen were built, but the type established Airspeed's reputation.

Variants

The Courier was built in a single production version, though individual aircraft carried various engine fits.

Where you'll see it

Operated by several British airlines and private owners in the mid-1930s; one example was flown in the 1934 MacRobertson Race. The type was retired from commercial use by the late 1930s.

Related aircraft

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