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The Ensign - Part of Hamble's Proud Record in Aviation History

A very significant chapter in the Hamble aircraft history was the Armstrong Whitworth Ensign class airliners. Fourteen of them were built at Hamble for Imperial Airways just before WWII. At the time it was the biggest airliner in the World, built to carry fourteen passengers with a crew of five; captain, first officer, radio operator and two cabin stewards. The first Ensign class airliners briefly did enter service with Imperial Air, but as WWII started they were pressed into troop transport and other military service.

When the actual first production model was ready it was rolled out on to AST's airfield on Sunday morning January 23, 1938. Here is a photographs of her unveiling on the Hamble airfield;

Unveiling the Ensign at Hamble

The Ensigns were notoriously underpowered but did serve in the war effort with some distinction. Three or four were lost and after the war the remaining aircraft were returned to Hamble and broke up for scrap.

Below is a photograph of the Ensign being towed across Hamble Lane (it looks to be near where the BP terminal railway line is situated).

The Ensign Crossing Hamble Lane

and here the Ensign makes it's maiden flight from Hamble...

The Ensign's Maiden Flight from Hamble

 

history from You Tube, Wikipedia Sam Weller and Peter Armitage