Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle - Operational History

Operational History

The first Albemarle (P1360) first flew on 20 March 1940 at Hamble Aerodrome, where it was assembled by Air Service Training, and was the first of two prototypes built by Armstrong Whitworth. To improve take-off, a wider span (77 from 67 ft) wing was fitted after the 8th aircraft. Plans for using it as a bomber were dropped due to delays in reaching service, it was not an improvement over current medium bombers (such as the Vickers Wellington) and its obvious shortcomings compared to the four-engined heavy bombers about to enter service, but it was considered suitable for general reconnaissance.

The first squadron to operate the Albemarle was No. 295 at RAF Harwell in January 1943. Other squadrons to be equipped with the Albemarle were No. 296, No. 297 and No. 570. Other RAF squadrons operated small numbers of the aircraft. On 9 February 1943, the first operational flight was a 296 Squadron Albemarle which dropped leaflets over Lisieux in Normandy. Albemarles took part in many of the major British airborne operations, such as the invasion of Sicily and of Normandy and the assault on Arnhem during Operation Market Garden.

In October 1942, the Soviet Air Force placed a contract for delivery of 200 Albemarles. No. 305 Ferry Training Unit was set up at RAF Errol near Dundee to train Soviet aircrews. During training, one aircraft was lost with no survivors. On 3 March 1943, the first Soviet AF Albemarle flew successfully from Scotland to Vnukovo airfield, followed by 11 more. Two aircraft were lost over the North Sea; one to German interceptors, and the other unaccounted for. Tests of the surviving Albemarles revealed their weaknesses as transports (notably the cramped interior) and numerous technical flaws; in May 1943, the Soviet government put further deliveries on hold, and eventually cancelled them in favour of abundant American Douglas C-47 Skytrains. The Soviet camp at Errol field continued until April 1944; apparently the Soviet command hoped to secure de Havilland Mosquito deliveries. Twelve Soviet Albemarles served for about two years; at least two were lost in accidents. Surviving aircraft were retired at the end of 1945.

The pinnacle of the aircraft's career was a series of operations for D-Day on 5 June 1944. 295 and 296 Squadrons sent aircraft to Normandy with the pathfinder force, and 295 Squadron claimed to be the first squadron to drop Allied troops during Operation Overlord. On 6 June 1944, four Albemarle squadrons and the operational training unit all sent aircraft during Operation Tonga; 296 Squadron used 19 aircraft to tow Airspeed Horsas, 295 Squadron towed 21 Horsas, although it lost six in transit, 570 Squadron sent 22 aircraft with ten towing gliders, and 42 OTU used four aircraft. For Operation Mallard on 7 June 1944, the squadrons towed 220 Horsas and 30 Hamilcars to Normandy.

On 17 September 1944, during Operation Market Garden at Arnhem, 54 Horsas and two Hadrian gliders were towed to the Netherlands by 28 Albemarles of 296 and 297 squadrons; 45 aircraft were sent the following day towing gliders.

Of the 602 aircraft delivered, 17 were lost on operations, and 81 lost in accidents. The last Royal Air Force unit to operate the type was the Heavy Glider Conversion Unit, which replaced the Albemarles with Handley Page Halifaxes in February 1946, and the type was retired from operational units.