Armstrong Whitworth Ape
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
The Ape was an experimental British biplane constructed by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft during the early 1920s. Its maiden flight took place on 5 January 1926, with the objective of resolving various aerodynamic challenges.
Development
This aircraft was engineered for extensive adjustability: its fuselage length could be modified, and it allowed for the installation of various fin and tailplane designs. Both the tailplane and wing incidence angles were adjustable. Additionally, the wings could be altered in terms of stagger, rake, and dihedral. Despite this flexibility, it was not possible to convert the Ape into a monoplane or to equip it with a more powerful engine. The entire tail assembly was a single unit, so changing the tailplane’s incidence angle also affected the fin’s angle. The aircraft was powered by a modest 180 hp (130 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engine, which provided insufficient power relative to its weight, limiting its experimental capabilities. A second version of the Ape featured a larger Bristol Jupiter engine; however, additional equipment increased the weight, largely offsetting any performance gains from the more powerful engine.
The Ape continued to be used sporadically throughout the 1920s.
Operators
Specifications (First Ape)
See also
References
- Tapper, Oliver. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft since 1913. London: Putnam, 1988. ISBN 0-85177-826-7.