Armstrong Whitworth Atalanta

Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1932 · airliner

The Armstrong Whitworth Atalanta was a British four-engine high-wing monoplane airliner operated by Imperial Airways in the 1930s on empire routes to Africa and India. It represented a transition from biplane to monoplane operation for the airline.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	4 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	21.79 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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British four-engine high-wing monoplane airliner of the early 1930s
Used by Imperial Airways on African and Indian routes
Braced high wing with four Armstrong Siddeley Serval radial engines

Large high-wing monoplane with four radial engines mounted along the wing leading edge, an angular fuselage with large square windows, fixed undercarriage with large wheel spats, and a conventional tail.

Specifications

The Armstrong Whitworth Atalanta has a length of 21.79 m (71 ft).
It has a wingspan of 27.43 m (90 ft).
Its maximum speed is 251 km/h (156 mph).
Typical crew: 2 plus 9-17 passengers.

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

History

First flown in June 1932, the Atalanta entered Imperial Airways service later that year and operated the Croydon–Cape Town and Croydon–India routes. Eight aircraft were built; those surviving World War II were used by the Indian Air Force in a transport role.

Variants

Eight aircraft were built to essentially the same specification; some were later modified for wartime transport use.

Where you'll see it

Operated by Imperial Airways from 1932 to 1941 on African and Asian empire routes; surviving examples served with the Indian Air Force during World War II before being retired.

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