Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle Transport / Tug Aircraft

The Armstrong Albemarle failed to impress as a bomber and, as such, was relegated to glider tug and transport service during World War 2.

Detailing the development and operational history of the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle Transport / Tug Aircraft. Entry last updated on 5/17/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

The Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle became one of those aircraft designs that evolved into a role not initially envisioned. The system was born from an earlier Bristol-designed reconnaissance platform that went nowhere and was further evolved by Armstrong Whitworth as a bomber. When that classification failed for the Albemarle, the system was relegated to dedicated transport and glider tug, taking part in some of the major offensives and invasions of World War 2. Generally regarded as unpleasant-an-aircraft as there ever was, the Albemarle would nevertheless become an integral part of the British war effort.

The Albemarle appeared in prototype form as early as 1939 with production sending early examples to frontline forces by 1941. The system failed to shine as a dedicated bomber through the first 42 systems delivered and many were switched over to the transport role. Construction was of a mix-wood and metal, incorporating a basic fuselage with heavy glazing along the nose. The twin engines were mounted along a mid-wing monoplane arrangement. A lone, manually-operated turret was fitted in a dorsal/middle-fuselage position and could be fitted with 2 x or 4 x 7.7mm machine guns as required. Twin rudder fins were set in the tail section. Power came from 2 x Bristol Hercules XI series, 14-cylinder radial piston engines which could generate up to 1,590 horsepower apiece. One unique aspect of the Albermarle's design was in her use of a tricycle landing gear system, something no other British production aircraft had fielded up to this point.

Picture of the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle Transport / Tug Aircraft

The Albemarle took part in the invasion of Sicily to which they were used to tow support gliders into action. Additionally, the system took part in the upcoming D-Day invasion landings of June 1944 (again as glider tugs) and served with airborne elements during the airdrops over Arnhem - one of three major points controlling three major bridges in British General Bernard Law Montgomery's far-reaching "A Bridge Too Far" campaign to end the war before Christmas. In the end, the Albemarle served with some subtle distinction in her not-too-glorious - yet ultimately detrimental - transport/utility role, a role never intended for the old girl at the outset.

Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.

Image of collection of graph types

Relative Maximum Speed Rating

Hi: 300mph

Lo: 150mph

This entry's maximum listed speed (256mph).

Graph average of 225 miles-per-hour.

City-to-City Ranges

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Graph showcases the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle Mk II's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.

Aviation Era

Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.

Unit Production Comparison

Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units

Military Market HI**: 36,183 units

600

* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.

** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.

Altitude Visualization

Compare this entry against other aircraft using our Comparison Tool

Supported Mission Types:

Anti-Ship

Airborne Early Warning

VIP Travel

Origin: United Kingdom

Year: 1941

Type: Transport / Tug Aircraft

Manufacturer(s): Armstrong Whitworth - UK

Production: 600

Global Operators:
United Kingdom; Soviet Union

Historical Commitments / Honors:

Military lapel ribbon for Operation Allied Force

Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Britain

Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Midway

Military lapel ribbon for the Berlin Airlift

Military lapel ribbon for the Cuban Missile Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War

Military lapel ribbon for the French-Indochina War

Military lapel ribbon for the Golden Age of Flight

Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War

Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars

Military lapel ribbon for the Iran-Iraq War

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon for the 1982 Lebanon War

Military lapel ribbon for the Malayan Emergency

Military lapel ribbon for the attack on Pearl Harbor

Military lapel ribbon for the Six Day War

Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War

Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for the Suez Crisis

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for Warsaw Pact of the Cold War-era

Military lapel ribbon for the WASP (WW2)

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur

* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.

Structural - Crew, Dimensions, and Weights:
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle Mk II model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.

Operational
CREW

Personnel
4

Dimension
LENGTH

Feet
59.91 ft

Meters
18.26 m

Dimension
WIDTH

Feet
77.00 ft

Meters
23.47 m

Dimension
HEIGHT

Feet
15.58 ft

Meters
4.75 m

Weight
EMPTY

Pounds
22,600 lb

Kilograms
10,251 kg

Weight
LOADED

Pounds
36,500 lb

Kilograms
16,556 kg

Installed Power - Standard Day Performance:
2 x Bristol Hercules XI 14-cylinder radial air-cooled piston engines developing 1,590 horsepower each.

Performance
SPEED

Miles-per-Hour
256 mph

Kilometers-per-Hour
412 kph

Knots
222 kts

Performance
RANGE

Miles
1,350 mi

Kilometers
2,173 km

Nautical Miles
1,173 nm

Performance
CEILING

Feet
17,999 ft

Meters
5,486 m

Miles
3.41 mi

Supported Weapon Systems:

Graphical image of an aircraft medium machine gun

Armament - Hardpoints (0):

STANDARD:
2 OR 4 x 7.7mm Vickers machine guns in manually-operated dorsal turret

OPTIONAL:
Up to 4,500lb of ordnance held internally.

Variants: Series Model Variants
• Mk I - Initial Production Models; 42 being completed as bomber types whilst remaining 558 built to transport specifications.
• Mk II - Transport Variant
• Mk V - Glider Tug
• Mk VI - Glider Tug