AS.57 AMBASSADOR


The Brabazonian Committee, which existed in Great Britain during the war, was established to develop a strategy for the post-war development of civil aviation. His report of 1943 contained a recommendation for the design and construction of a twin-engine transport aircraft of small and medium range with a capacity of about 30 passengers. As a result, the Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador appeared, developed by a group of designers headed by Arthur Hagg. While England participated in military operations, the plane existed only in the drawings. An experienced specimen made his first flight on July 10, 1947, and a year later the first (and only) order was received for 20 Ambassador aircraft from British Airways Airways. It was a freestanding all-metal high-wing with a fuselage reinforced to ensure the cabin's airtightness. The characteristic three-tail tail was high on the mowed up rear of the fuselage, and the main struts of the retractable tricycle landing gear had paired wheels. The crew consisted of three people, and in the passenger cabin were accommodated up to 47 people. The thrust was created by two valveless star-shaped engines of Bristol Centaurus. Due to delays in the production of these aircrafts, BEA was able to implement the first flight of the AS.57 aircraft only on March 13, 1952. It was lost so much time that there were much more advanced airliners like Vickers Viscount with a turboprop engine, after which the demand for AS.57 aircraft disappeared. Despite this, AS.57, used by BEA as Elizabeth class aircraft, for six years of operation confirmed that they are related to successful development. The second prototype AS.57 was later used for finishing the tests of the turboprop engines Bristol Proteus 705, Rolls-Royce Tyne and Rolls-Royce Dart and was suitable for flights even in 1969. The third prototype was used to test the Napier Eland turboprop engine, but was later redesigned and sold to Dan Eyre.

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