Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA

Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1925 · fighter

The Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA was the primary RAF single-seat fighter of the mid-to-late 1920s, notable for being the first all-metal British fighter to enter RAF service in significant numbers.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.72 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Single-bay biplane with distinctive N-type interplane struts
Supercharged Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial engine
Sesquiplane lower wing — upper span much greater than lower

Unmistakable N-strut single-bay biplane with a notably shorter lower wing, prominent radial engine with individual exhaust stacks, and a rounded fuselage typical of late-1920s RAF fighters.

Specifications

The Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA has a length of 7.72 m (25 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.11 m (33 ft).
Its maximum speed is 251 km/h (156 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

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

History

The Siskin IIIA entered RAF service in 1927 as the improved, supercharged version of the Siskin III, and equipped numerous home-defence squadrons throughout the late 1920s. It was famous for its aerobatic displays and formation flying, regularly demonstrating at RAF air displays at Hendon.

Variants

The IIIA superseded the Siskin III with a supercharged Jaguar IVS engine; a two-seat dual-control trainer variant, the Siskin IIIB, was also produced. Canada operated a small number.

Where you'll see it

The Siskin IIIA served with fourteen RAF squadrons and was gradually replaced by the Bristol Bulldog from 1929 onward, remaining in training use into the early 1930s.

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