The Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador was a British twin-engine airliner produced by Airspeed Limited in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was one of the last aircraft designs developed by Airspeed before the company was absorbed by de Havilland Aircraft Company in 1948.

The AS.57 Ambassador was designed to meet the post-World War II demand for a modern and efficient airliner that could operate on medium-haul routes. It was a high-wing monoplane with a pressurized cabin, making it one of the first British airliners to offer such a feature, providing a more comfortable flying experience for passengers.

The aircraft made its maiden flight on July 10, 1947. It was initially powered by four Bristol Centaurus radial engines, but this configuration was later changed to two Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines, which provided improved performance and fuel efficiency.

The Ambassador had a seating capacity of around 40 to 50 passengers, depending on the specific airline’s interior configuration. It offered a range of approximately 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers), making it suitable for regional and medium-haul routes.

Despite its promising design and features, the Ambassador faced challenges in the market. It suffered from delays in development and experienced competition from other contemporary airliners like the Vickers Viscount and the Douglas DC-6. Additionally, some early technical issues with the Dart engines affected the aircraft’s reputation.

While the Ambassador didn’t achieve widespread commercial success as initially hoped, it found service with a few airlines, including British European Airways (BEA). BEA operated the Ambassador on various routes, primarily within Europe, during the early 1950s.

In total, only 23 Airspeed AS.57 Ambassadors were produced, including both the original Ambassador and the later improved version known as the Ambassador 2. Despite its limited production and commercial success, the Ambassador contributed to the advancement of aviation technology and helped pave the way for the use of turboprop engines in future aircraft designs.

Today, no flying examples of the Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador exist, but its historical significance as one of the early British turboprop airliners remains notable in the aviation industry’s timeline.