What a great collection of photos of a very attractive aeroplane – thanks for drawing our attention to them Newforest.

I think it’s generally accepted that the Ensign was underpowered – the common problem of airframe designer wanting more than the engine designer could provide. In the case of the AW designer (John Lloyd?) he also had one hand tied behind his back with the apparent stipulation (laid down by John Siddeley) that Armstrong Whitworth aircraft had to have Armstrong Siddeley engines in them.

The Whitley was later to have Merlins and the Ensign Mk. II had, I think, Pratt & Whitneys.

Roger Smith.