Destination's Journey

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Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 before delivery

Armstrong Whitworth A.W.XVI

Armstrong Whitworth A.W.XVI

The Armstrong Whitworth A.W.XVI (or A.W.16) was a British single-engine biplane fighter developed for operation from the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers. It first flew in 1930, but only 18 were built, including two prototypes.

Designed to meet Specification F9/26, the A.W.16 had unequal-span wings supported by N-type interplane struts and a fixed, spatted undercarriage. Its power came from an Armstrong Siddeley Panther radial engine, cowled in a Townend ring. Engine problems during development delayed its evaluation, and the Hawker Nimrod was selected instead for the Royal Navy.

Armstrong Whitworth nonetheless sought export sales, and the type found a buyer in China. Sixteen aircraft were ordered by the Guangxi (Kwangsi) Air Force and delivered in 1931 via Hong Kong. Initially these served with regional warlord forces, but by 1937 they had become part of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force.

One prototype was later modified to test the experimental 15-cylinder, three-row Armstrong Siddeley Hyena engine, but cooling issues led to its abandonment. The second prototype was rebuilt into the more advanced Armstrong Whitworth A.W.35 Scimitar.

The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The first prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 (S1591)
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
The second prototype of the Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 A-2
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 with modified fin, exhaust system and simplified Townend ring
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 with modified fin, exhaust system and simplified Townend ring
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 with double Townend ring
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 with double Townend ring
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 with an Armstrong Siddeley Hyena engine
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 with an Armstrong Siddeley Hyena engine
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 S1591 on HMS Courageous during September 1933 when Flying Officer Adye carried out trials on behalf of 800 Sqn FAA.
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 S1591 on HMS Courageous during September 1933 when Flying Officer Adye carried out trials on behalf of 800 Sqn FAA.
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 before delivery
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 before delivery
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16s of the Kwangsi Air Force.
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16s of the Kwangsi Air Force.
Two Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16s at Hunjao airfield, Shanghai in May 1934 before delivery to Kaifeng.
Two Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16s at Hunjao airfield, Shanghai in May 1934 before delivery to Kaifeng.
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 that came to grief during its service with the Kwangshi Air Force in China
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 that came to grief during its service with the Kwangshi Air Force in China
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 G-ABKF, seen at Germiston Aerodrome, Rand on January 8, 1933.
Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 G-ABKF, seen at Germiston Aerodrome, Rand on January 8, 1933.
Civilian Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 G-ABRJ
Civilian Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16 G-ABRJ
Civilian Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16
Civilian Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16