Airspeed Ferry

Airspeed Ltd. · United Kingdom · first flew 1932 · airliner

The Airspeed Ferry was a British three-engine biplane airliner of the early 1930s, designed for short-haul passenger services. It was one of the first aircraft produced by the newly formed Airspeed company.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	3 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	12.09 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Three-engine 1930s British biplane airliner
High-wing biplane with three radial engines
Open cockpit and enclosed passenger cabin

A large three-engine biplane with the outboard engines mounted on the lower wing struts and a central nose engine; the high-wing configuration and open pilot cockpit are characteristic.

Specifications

The Airspeed Ferry has a length of 12.09 m (40 ft).
It has a wingspan of 16.76 m (55 ft).
Its maximum speed is 180 km/h (112 mph).
Typical crew: 1-2 pilots, up to 10 passengers.

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

History

Airspeed Ltd. was founded in 1931, and the Ferry was among their first designs. It flew in 1932 and was operated on short pleasure and charter flights, notably by Sir Alan Cobham's National Aviation Day displays. A small number were built for commercial operators.

Variants

The Ferry was built in a single basic configuration; minor differences in engine fit existed between individual aircraft.

Where you'll see it

Used on British pleasure-flying and charter operations in the 1930s, the Ferry is principally remembered for its association with Cobham's air pageants that introduced many British people to aviation.

Related aircraft

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