Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle transport aircraft

The Albemarle was designed as a bomber but was never used in that capacity. It proved more useful as a transport aircraft and glider tug for the British Special Forces. The first combat use came in 1943 during the invasion of Sicily, when the Albemarle was used to tow gliders with combat units on the borg to the battlefield.

Another well-known episode of the Albemarle's activities with the Royal Air Force took place in June 1944, when four squadrons of these aircraft towed Horsa gliders, which carried detachments of Allied paratroopers towards France during the first period of Operation Overlord . Later in the same year, two squadrons provided glider towing for the attack on the Rhine bridges at Arnhem.

The Soviet Union was the only country other than the UK to use the Albemarle, although there is speculation that the USSR only became interested in the aircraft because of the engines that were later copied for their own use.

Albemarle production ended in December 1944 after having been built (502 out of 1060 ordered)

Test pilot John Grierson described the Albemarle as an average aircraft with no strengths or weaknesses.

The first 32 examples built were intended for use as reconnaissance bombers, with a team of two pilots, a navigator and a radio operator. However, Albemarle was never used in this role.

Albemarle's only defensive armament is four 7.7 mm machine guns in a Baulton Paul turret. When firing forward, the fairing in front of the turret automatically lowered. On some aircraft modified as special transports, instead of a turret turret, a retractable turret with two machine guns was installed, closed by a sliding lantern.

Most Albemarles were powered by two twin-row radial Bristol Hercules XI engines with an output of 1590 hp. With. Two planes. GT.Mk II and Mk IV. were powered by American Wright Double Cyclone engines. The Soviet air force also acquired Albemarle. It is assumed that they were valued mainly for their engines, which were later copied.

Albemarle consisted of a steel frame with spruce frames and plywood sheathing. Most of the wing structure is wooden with plywood sheathing. The center section of the wing was also covered with plywood. To tow the airframe, a quick-release Malcolm hook attached to the rear of the fuselage was used. The release mechanism was controlled by the pilot.

Specifications:

• Albemarle ST. Mk V Type: special military transport aircraft
• Powerplant: Two Bristol Hercules XI radial piston engines, 1590 hp. With. (1186 kW)
• Maximum speed: 426 km/h at an altitude of 3200 m
• Flight range: 2092 km Working ceiling: 5486 m
• Weight: empty about 6800 kg; maximum takeoff 16 556 kg
• Armament: four 7.7 mm machine guns in a Baulton Paul turret above the fuselage turret or two 7.7 mm machine guns on a retractable turret in the same place.
• Dimensions: wingspan 23.47 m length 18.26 m height 4.75 m wing area 74.65 sq. m