Airspeed Consul

The Airspeed Consul was a British light twin‑engine transport built by Airspeed Ltd. after World War II, first flying in 1946 and entering service the following year. Developed from the wartime Airspeed Oxford trainer, the Consul retained the robust wooden‑and‑metal construction and high‑wing layout but was fitted with two de‑rated Blackburn Cirrus Major I engines delivering 115 hp each, giving a modest cruising speed of around 160 mph and a range of 600 mi. The aircraft could accommodate up to five passengers or be configured for cargo, medical evacuation or aerial survey, making it a versatile post‑war utility plane. Only 80 examples were produced, but the type proved popular with civilian operators in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, where its low operating costs and forgiving handling suited fledgling airlines and charter services. The Consul also demonstrated the feasibility of converting military trainers into economical civilian transports, influencing later designs such as the de Havilland Dove. Though short‑lived, the Consul marked Airspeed Ltd.’s transition from wartime production to the commercial market and remains a notable example of British ingenuity in the early jet age. Its legacy endures among vintage aircraft enthusiasts and museum collections worldwide.

Airspeed Ltd.

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