Airspeed AS.45 Cambridge

Airspeed Ltd. · United Kingdom · first flew 1941 · light aircraft

The Airspeed AS.45 Cambridge was a British two-seat monoplane trainer designed during the Second World War as a more modern replacement for existing biplane trainers. It featured a low-wing configuration with retractable undercarriage.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	11 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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WWII British low-wing monoplane basic trainer
Clean retractable-gear training design by Airspeed
Side-by-side two-seat layout for ab initio pilot training

A clean low-wing monoplane trainer with retractable gear, broadly similar in appearance to other advanced trainers of the early 1940s but identifiable by Airspeed's characteristic streamlined fuselage.

Specifications

The Airspeed AS.45 Cambridge has a length of 11 m (36 ft).
It has a wingspan of 12.8 m (42 ft).
Its maximum speed is 381 km/h (237 mph).
Typical crew: 1 pilot, 1 student.

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

History

The Cambridge was developed by Airspeed in the early 1940s in response to RAF requirements for a modern basic trainer. Although it flew and demonstrated good performance, the RAF ultimately did not order it in large numbers, preferring to standardise on existing trainer types already in production.

Variants

The Cambridge was built as a prototype and in very limited numbers; no major production variants were established.

Where you'll see it

The AS.45 did not enter widespread RAF service, remaining largely a prototype and development aircraft. Its influence on subsequent Airspeed designs was nonetheless significant.

Related aircraft

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