Armstrong Whitworth A.W.27 Ensign

Armstrong Whitworth · United Kingdom · first flew 1938 · airliner

The Armstrong Whitworth A.W.27 Ensign was a British four-engine monoplane airliner and the largest airliner built in Britain during the interwar period.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Four radial engines on a high cantilever wing
• Oval fuselage of light alloy construction
• Conventional tailplane, with fabric covering on the tail and on the wing aft of the spar

A large, high-winged four-engine monoplane with an oval fuselage and a conventional tail. The brakes were charged by an engine-driven compressor.

Specifications

• The Armstrong Whitworth A.W.27 Ensign has a length of 34.75 m (114 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 37.49 m (123 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 338 km/h (210 mph).
• Typical crew: 5.

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

History

Imperial Airways asked for tenders in 1934 and insisted on a four-engine shoulder-wing monoplane. Changes requested by the airline delayed progress, and the first flight was on 24 January 1938. Fourteen were built.

Variants

It was designed to seat up to 40. The last two aircraft were A.W.27A Mk.IIs with Wright Cyclone engines, and the eight surviving Mk.Is were upgraded to match.

Where you'll see it

Imperial Airways, then BOAC, flew Ensigns to the Middle East, Africa and India. Two were destroyed by enemy action in 1940 and one was captured in 1942. They were retired after a last passenger flight in June 1946.

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• Boeing 314A Clipper

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