Airspeed Cambridge

The Airspeed AS.45 Cambridge was a British advanced trainer of the Second World War built by Airspeed Limited. It did not reach the production stage.

AS.45 Cambridge
Role Military advanced trainer
Manufacturer Airspeed Limited
First flight 19 February 1941
Number built 2

Development

The AS.45 was designed in response to Air Ministry Specification T.4/39 for a single-engined trainer. It was a low-wing monoplane of composite construction with a single piston engine and a tailwheel-type, retractable undercarriage. The first of two prototypes flew on 19 February 1941.[1] Testing showed deficiencies in both maximum speed and low-speed flight characteristics.

There was no attempt to rectify these shortcomings, partly because there was no shortage of advanced trainers thanks to plentiful supplies of Masters and Harvards and partly because of the importance of Airspeed's other products, the Horsa and Oxford.

Specifications (AS.45)

Data from The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 36 ft 1 in (11 m)
  • Wingspan: 42 ft 0 in (12.80 m)
  • Height: 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
  • Wing area: 290 sq ft (26.94 m2)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Mercury VIII radial engine 2-blade, 730 hp (544 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 237 mph (381 km/h, 206 kn)
  • Range: 680 mi (1,094 km, 590 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 24,800 ft (7,560 m)
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See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References
  1. Mondey, David (1994). The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II. Aerospace Publishing. ISBN 1-85152-668-4.
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