Airspeed
The company Airspeed Ltd. was a British aircraft manufacturer founded in 1931 by Nevil Shute Norway and Hessel Tiltman in York .
After a few types of biplane were initially produced, the focus was then on the production of modern monoplane. In 1933, new production facilities were moved into Portsmouth . In 1934 the company became part of the Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson shipyard.
The greatest economic success was achieved during the Second World War with the AS 10 Oxford , of which around 8,500 machines were produced. The company also became known for the delivery of cargo gliders , the types AS 51 Horsa and AS 58 Horsa II, which came to a number of around 3,500.
In June 1940 de Havilland took over Swan Hunter's shares in the company. After the war, the AS 10 Oxford began to be adapted to the civilian market, which resulted in the AS 65 Consul . With the new AS 57 Ambassador , attempts have been made in vain to regain a foothold in the civilian market. In 1948, de Havilland's preferred shares were also acquired, and in June 1951, de Havilland took over Airspeed entirely, which became part of the de Havilland company.
