Airspeed AS-57 Ambassador

Airspeed AS-57 Ambassador 2 G-ALZO Dan - Air London, IWM Duxford
Airspeed AS-57 Ambassador 2 G-ALZO Dan - Air London

The Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador was a British high wing, twin piston-engined airliner design with triple tail fins. The Airspeed Ambassador was infamous of which is now known as the Munich Air Disaster involving the Manchester United Football Team on 6th February 1958.

  • Role: airliner
  • National: British
  • Manufacturer: Airspeed Ltd.
  • First flight: 10 July 1947
  • Introduction: 1951
  • Status: Retired
  • Produced: 1947–1953
  • Built: 23

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: three
  • Capacity: Up to 60 passengers
  • Length: 82 ft 0 in (24.99 m)
  • Wingspan: 115 ft 0 in (35.05 m)
  • Height: 18 ft 10 in (5.74 m)
  • Wing area: 1,200 ft² (111.48 m²)
  • Empty weight: 35,377 lb (16,047 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 52,500 lb (23,814 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Bristol Centaurus 661 two-row sleeve-valve radial piston engine, 2,625 hp (1,958 kw) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: (75% power, 11,650 (5,284 kg)) 312 mph
  • Cruise speed: 260 mph (418 km/h)
  • Range: 550 miles (885km)
  • Rate of climb: 1,250 ft/min (6.35 m/s)

Photo’s Rob Vogelaar www.zap16.com