The Double Eagle was a twin-engined high-wing monoplane with a retractable landing gear, the main gear retracting backwards into the engine nacelles.[1] The first aircraft (Y-1) was powered by two 130 hp (97 kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major engines, and it first flew from Hanworth on 3 July 1936, later registered G-ADVV. The second aircraft (G-AEIN) was fitted with two de Havilland Gipsy VIs.[1] Three aircraft were built, although one citation is claimed to say that only two Double Eagles were produced, and that both were impressed by the RAF.[2][dubious – discuss]
In 1940, the first aircraft (G-ADVV) was impressed into the Royal Air Force as ES949,[1] and was finally used as an instructional airframe by Armstrong-Whitworth, and later Parnall.
On 29 September 1936, the second aircraft (G-AEIN), piloted by Tommy Rose, took off in the Schlesinger Race (from PortsmouthtoJohannesburg). It was retired when it suffered damage at Almaza Airfield (Cairo), due to collapse of the undercarriage.
[3] In 1940, it was impressed into the RAF as ES950, and ended its life in 1941 as an instructional airframe.[1]
The third aircraft (ZS-AIY) was sold to the Aircraft Operating Company in South Africa as an aerial surveying aircraft, and was then re-registered ZS-AOC. In 1940, it was impressed into service with 60 Squadron of the South African Air Force as serial number 1415.[1][4]
South Africa
United Kingdom
