Saturday, October 11, 2025

Armstrong Whitworth AW.52 prototype

 


2 comments:

  1. It looks like a development of the General Aircraft GAL 56 about which esteemed English test pilot Eric Brown said, "They don't come much worse than this".
    It's notable for being the first case of a British pilot using one of those new fangled Martin Baker ejection seats in an emergency in 1949 (control had been lost during a dive at 320mph). Once the pilot departed the aircraft recovered all by itself and landed with little damage being sustained Development and flying was abandoned by the manufacturer at that point but the second prototype was flown by the Royal Aircraft Establishment as a test aircraft until 1954 when it was scrapped.
    Another case of theory not being supported by reality.

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  2. Guess you got to start some place with experimental flying wings.

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