Specifications
Year: 1941
Status: Retired, Out-of-Service
Manufacturer(s): Armstrong Whitworth - UK
Production: 600
Capabilities: Ground Attack; Transport;
Status: Retired, Out-of-Service
Manufacturer(s): Armstrong Whitworth - UK
Production: 600
Capabilities: Ground Attack; Transport;
Crew: 4
Length: 59.91 ft (18.26 m)
Width: 77.00 ft (23.47 m)
Height: 15.58 ft (4.75 m)
Weight (Empty): 22,600 lb (10,251 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 36,500 lb (16,556 kg)
Length: 59.91 ft (18.26 m)
Width: 77.00 ft (23.47 m)
Height: 15.58 ft (4.75 m)
Weight (Empty): 22,600 lb (10,251 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 36,500 lb (16,556 kg)
Power: 2 x Bristol Hercules XI 14-cylinder radial air-cooled piston engines developing 1,590 horsepower each.
Speed: 256 mph (412 kph; 222 kts)
Ceiling: 17,999 feet (5,486 m; 3.41 miles)
Range: 1,350 miles (2,173 km; 1,173 nm)
Ceiling: 17,999 feet (5,486 m; 3.41 miles)
Range: 1,350 miles (2,173 km; 1,173 nm)
Operators: United Kingdom; Soviet Union
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.
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.
Armament
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 / Models
• 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
