Airspeed AS.4 Ferry

The Airspeed AS.4 Ferry is a three-engined biplane of British transport which accomplished its first flight in 1932 and was withdrawn from exploitation in 1941.

An ordering of Sir Alan Cobham

In 1930 A.H.Tiltman and N.S.Norway approached Sir Alan Cobham, hoping to convince the specialist in the flights with long distance to invest in Airspeed Ltd, in the course of constitution. Cobham, which étaitt launching an itinerant air spectacle, the National Aviation Day , required of them to carry out three-engined able to transport 10 passengers to carry out first flights during its meetings. Built according to the specifications of Cobham, AS.4 Ferry was a biplane with wings equal shifted to cloth-lined timber structure. The fuselage was located rather low compared to the lower plan so that the passengers can see the ground and reach without difficulties the cabin, the Air Cirque Cobham sometimes using impromptu grounds. 2 engines De Havilland Gipsy II of 120 ch were assembled on the lower level, a De Havilland Gipsy III of 320 ch being assembled him in the center of the higher plan to ensure a better visibility the pilot. In addition to this pilot, 10 passengers could take seat on board.

The first AS.4 Ferry Youth off Britain II accomplished its first flight on April 10th, 1932 on the ground of Sherburn-in-Elmet. It was quickly followed Youth off Britain III . In two years these apparatuses, sold 5.000 £, transported 92.000 passengers.

Four built planes

Two others AS.4 Ferry were built and G-ACFB for the Midland and Scottish Air Ferries Ltd and brought into service between Renfrew and Cambeltown, Belfast and Speke. Midland and Sco ttish closed in 1934, and it, unutilised, was dismantled in 1941. The barrel on the other hand bought by Air Publicity Ltd and used for first flights. Requisitioned by RAF and equipped with the sérial, this apparatus was actually used like cell of instruction. RAF also took into account it, used as plane of connection by the base of RAF Halton as before becoming at the end of 1941 the cell of instruction. The last AS.4 had a more exotic career. Sold in 1934 with the Himalayas Air Transport & Survey Company , became it in India and was used to transport pilgrims between Hardwar and Gaucher. It was destroyed in 1936 in its hangar by a case of arson.

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