Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16
| Industry | Aircraft manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1919 |
| Headquarters | Coventry , United Kingdom |
| Products | Aircraft, including the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 |
The Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (also known as the A.W.XVI) was a British single-engine biplane fighter aircraft crafted by the manufacturer Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft.
This model featured a single-bay biplane design with unequal-span wings supported by N-shaped interplane struts. Its appearance closely mirrored that of the A.W.XIV Starling Mk I, though it exhibited a less pronounced, humped fuselage compared to the Siskin. The landing gear was fixed, spatted, and undivided. Power was provided by an Armstrong Siddeley Panther radial engine—previously designated as the Jaguar Major—housed within a streamlined Townend ring. The aircraft’s first flight took place in 1930.
Originally created to satisfy Specification F9/26, delays caused by engine issues hindered its chances in the domestic market, where it lost out to the competing Hawker Nimrod. Armstrong Whitworth continued to promote the aircraft, particularly targeting export clients. Both initial prototypes underwent modifications for further development; notably, the second prototype was transformed into the Armstrong Whitworth Scimitar. Several units were sold to the Chinese Guangxi Air Force and later operated by the Chinese Nationalist Air Force.
Development
The A.W.16 was engineered by Armstrong Whitworth in response to the requirements outlined in Specification F9/26. Although its maiden flight occurred in 1930, this was too late for consideration under that specification. Instead, it was entered for evaluation against specification Specification N21/26, which called for a naval fighter for the Fleet Air Arm. Development setbacks related to the Armstrong Siddeley Panther radial engine caused significant delays, allowing the competing Hawker Nimrod to be procured before the A.W.16 could be assessed. Upon evaluation, the A.W.16 demonstrated inferior performance relative to the Nimrod and exhibited poor handling characteristics on exposed carrier decks.
Although it failed to secure this contract, Armstrong Whitworth proceeded with marketing efforts and constructed a second prototype (registration G-ACCD) equipped with a more dependable Panther IIA engine. This version was submitted against Specification F7/30, targeting a Royal Air Force contract. By this stage, however, the A.W.16 was deemed obsolete and quickly eliminated from consideration—a competition ultimately won by the Gloster Gladiator. Despite this, production continued with seventeen aircraft ordered by China’s Guangxi Air Force.
In 1933, the first prototype underwent experimental modification with a 15-cylinder three-row Armstrong Siddeley Hyena radial engine; however, due to cooling difficulties, this powerplant was abandoned. The second prototype was subsequently converted into the Armstrong Whitworth Scimitar fighter variant.
Design
The Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 was a single-engine biplane fighter characterized by its metal framework and a single-bay staggered wing configuration, resulting in a notably streamlined profile.[1] In the early 1930s, the manufacturer asserted that the A.W.16 had the capability to be the fastest single-seat fighter aircraft globally at that time. This performance was achieved through a combination of its aerodynamic sleekness, a powerful engine, and meticulous attention to aerodynamic detail during its design phase.[1] Every strut end, landing gear fitting, and other components contributing to aerodynamic drag were carefully faired, while navigation lights were seamlessly integrated into the leading edges of the wings and rudder.[1] The fuselage featured a rectangular steel tube structure with mechanical joints reinforced by wire cross-bracing; removable metal panels covered the front section, and fabric was used on the rear areas.[2]
Positioned just behind the trailing edge of the upper wing, the cockpit was regarded as spacious and comfortable for its time.[3] Pilots enjoyed an expansive field of vision both forward and downward. Although the fuselage dimensions were constrained by the Panther engine's maximum diameter, the pilot’s elevated seating combined with the fuselage’s top deck and side contours minimized any negative impact on visibility caused by the engine.[4] For ease of ingress and egress—especially in emergencies—two handgrips were provided, and the port-side door was equipped with a sturdy opening mechanism.[2] Both the seat and a straightforward rudder bar were adjustable to suit pilot preference. The aircraft was fully equipped for night operations, including wireless communication and heating systems.[2]
The wings exhibited unequal spans with a staggered single-bay layout.[4] The upper wing consisted of two sections joined near the centerline and mounted above the fuselage on B-shaped splayed struts; each side featured one set of interplane struts. Its construction followed Armstrong Whitworth's standard practice of combining built-up spars with drawn steel strips, while ribs were girder-like open sections.[4] Fabric covered nearly all wing surfaces except for metal sheeting on the leading edges. Narrow-chord Frise-type ailerons were installed on all four wings; these were mounted on ball bearings and statically balanced by positioning their hinge lines behind the aileron spars.[4]
Inter-aileron balance struts hinged to the leading edges helped counterbalance mass forces acting on the ailerons.[4] This system underwent comprehensive flight testing with close cooperation between designers and test pilots. Additionally, an auxiliary adjustment feature consisted of narrow hinged surfaces inset into the trailing edges of the upper ailerons, functioning similarly to trim tabs at high speeds.[4] The control system contributed positively to overall handling qualities, remaining light at high speeds while maintaining effectiveness near typical stall velocities for single-seat fighters. Lateral control received particular focus; it was reported to be well-balanced and free from excessive mechanical friction or losses.[4]
Propulsion was provided by a single Armstrong Siddeley Panther air-cooled radial engine that could be either moderately or fully supercharged and featured gearing.[1] Townend rings were fitted to enhance cooling efficiency. The exhaust system included an extended silencer-flame damper combination which significantly reduced engine noise emissions.[5]
Electrical power originated from two engine-driven generators housed within the fuselage: one dedicated to radio operation and another supplying lighting and heating systems.[1] The landing gear wheels were enclosed within aerodynamic spats. Shock absorption utilized a combination of oleo struts and rubber springs. Brakes operated independently on each wheel.[6] The tail assembly was constructed from steel with fabric covering and required minimal external bracing except for two sloped tubes supporting each side of the stabilizer's forward spar against the base of its control mechanism. Both elevator and rudder surfaces were aerodynamically balanced.[1]
Armament consisted of two fixed forward-firing .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine guns mounted atop the cowling directly ahead of the pilot, firing through the propeller arc.[2] There was provision for installing a gun camera on the upper wing. Additionally, a rack beneath the lower wing allowed carriage of four light fragmentation bombs.[2]
Operational history
The 16 A.W.16 fighters destined for the Guangxi Air Force were manufactured towards the end of 1931 and transported through Hong Kong. Initially, these aircraft served under the air forces of regional warlords; however, in 1937, the A.W.16s, together with the entire Guangxi Air Force, were integrated into the primary Chinese Nationalist Air Force.
Operators
- Republic of China (1912–1949)
- Guangxi Air Force
- Republic of China (1912–1949)
Specifications (A.W.16)
Citations
Bibliography
- Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (1994). The Complete Book of Fighters. New York, USA: Smithmark. ISBN 0-8317-3939-8.
- Mason, Francis K. (1992). The British Fighter since 1912. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-082-7.
- Tapper, Oliver (1988). Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft since 1913. London, United Kingdom: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-826-7.
- "The Armstrong Whitworth A.W. XVI military Airplane (British): a single-seat biplane" National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, dated 1 January 1932. NACA-AC-156, 93R19557.
External links
- Armstrong Whitworth A.W.XVI – Directory of British Aircraft