Armstrong Whitworth A.W.27 Ensign

The Armstrong Whitworth A.W.27 Ensign was a four-engine shoulder-wing monoplane airliner and the largest airliner built in Britain between the wars. Imperial Airways asked for it in 1934 as a big landplane powered by four Armstrong Siddeley Tiger radial engines for its European and Asian routes, with seats for up to 40 passengers and room for airmail. Constant change requests from the airline delayed the programme, and the first flight did not take place until 24 January 1938. Early service was hampered by mechanical problems, and the later aircraft used Wright radial engines. British Overseas Airways Corporation flew the Ensigns during the Second World War between Britain and the Middle East, Africa and India, often in support of military operations; two were destroyed by enemy action in 1940 and one was captured in 1942. The type was retired after a final passenger flight in June 1946.