Time Period: Interwar Period
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Transporter
Manufacturer: Airspeed Ltd.
Airspeed AS.6 Envoy Aircraft Overview
The Airspeed AS.6 Envoy was a British twin-engine, high-wing monoplane aircraft designed and built by Airspeed Limited in the 1930s. It was a development of the earlier Airspeed AS.5 Courier and was designed to be a larger, more capable aircraft suitable for both civilian and military roles.
The AS.6 Envoy was intended to serve as a comfortable passenger transport aircraft, offering increased capacity and longer range compared to the Courier. It had a metal monocoque fuselage and, like its predecessor, featured a high-wing configuration, providing excellent visibility and stability in flight.
The aircraft made its first flight in June 1934 and quickly gained popularity with airlines and private operators. The Envoy was powered by two engines, typically Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX radial engines, which provided improved performance and redundancy over the single-engine AS.5 Courier.
The civilian versions of the Airspeed AS.6 Envoy were configured to carry six to eight passengers, depending on the seating arrangement. It was used by various airlines for short-haul and regional routes, as well as by private owners and corporate operators.
Additionally, the military recognized the potential of the Envoy and ordered several variants for different roles. The Royal Air Force (RAF) used the Envoy as a transport aircraft, and some versions were adapted for wireless and navigation training duties.
During World War II, some Envoy aircraft were requisitioned for military service, and a small number of them were used as communication and liaison aircraft by the RAF.
After the war, the Envoy’s production ceased, and it was gradually replaced by more modern aircraft. However, the AS.6 Envoy played a significant role in the pre-war and wartime aviation industry, providing reliable transportation and training capabilities.
Today, there are no flying examples of the Airspeed AS.6 Envoy, but its historical importance and contributions to aviation during the interwar period and World War II are still appreciated by aviation historians and enthusiasts.
Airspeed AS.6 Envoy Specifications
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Capacity: 6 passengers
- Length: 34 ft 6 in (10.52 m)
- Wingspan: 52 ft 4 in (15.95 m)
- Height: 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
- Wing area: 339 sq ft (31.5 m2)
- Empty weight: 4,057 lb (1,840 kg)
- Gross weight: 6,300 lb (2,858 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX seven-cylinder radial engine, 345 hp (257 kW) each.
Airspeed AS.6 Envoy Performance
- Maximum speed: 210 mph (340 km/h, 180 kn) at 7,300 ft (2,230 m)
- Cruise speed: 192 mph (309 km/h, 167 kn) at 75% power and 7,300 ft (2,230 m)
- Range: 650 mi (1,050 km, 560 nmi) at 62.5% power and 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
- Service ceiling: 22,500 ft (6,900 m) service
- Time to altitude: to 10,000 ft (3,050 m), 8 min
- Wing loading: 18.6 lb/sq ft (91 kg/m2)
- Power/mass: 0.11 hp/lb (0.18 kW/kg)
