Armstrong Whitworth Siskin
Development of the Siskin was heavily influenced by RAF Specification Type I, including its initial use of the ABC Dragonfly radial engine.The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) introduced the type in the late 1920s and operated its Siskins until shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War.[3] A major impetus for the aircraft's development was the Air Ministry's issuing of RAF Specification Type I, which called for a single-seat fighter that was powered by the ABC Dragonfly radial engine.[2] Despite early promise, the Dragonfly was disastrous, being less powerful, unreliable, and prone to overheating while excessive vibration resulted in crankshaft failures after only a few hours of use.[7] Despite the engine, the Siskin displayed generally good properties, possessing favourable stability and handling characteristics, along with performance that could outmatch its direct rivals for RAF orders.[13][14] On 13 October 1922, an initial contract for three production aircraft was placed, and a follow-on order for a further six followed on 26 January 1923, including a single two-seat variant.Shortly thereafter, Armstrong Whitworth commenced construction of the production standard Siskin, the first of which were delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in January 1924[16] for flight trials on No.[19] The Siskin IIIA was the main production version, which was first ordered during 1926,[20] and was the first all-metal framed aircraft to be procured in quantity for the RAF.By 1931, the type was showing its age, leading to the Air Ministry considering either to recondition them or to procure new-built fighters to replace them.[33] The unit continued to operate the Siskin up until the outbreak of the Second World War, shortly after which the type was rapidly retired and replaced by Hawker Hurricane monoplane fighters.Multiple examples were entered into the 1924 King's Cup air race, one of which achieving the fastest course time despite arriving fourth.[36] In the 1925 King's Cup, a Siskin V flown by Flight Lieutenant Barnard emerged as the winner, having reportedly achieved a speed in excess of 151 mph (243 km/h).
ManufacturerSir W.G. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft LimitedRoyal Air ForceRoyal Canadian Air ForceRoyal Swedish Air ForceArmstrong Whitworth Starlingsesquiplanefighter aircraftArmstrong Whitworth AircraftFirst World WarABC Dragonflyradial engineArmstrong Siddeley JaguarNo. 41 SquadronRAF NortholtBristol BulldogsSecond World Warair racesRoyal Aircraft FactorySiddeley-DeasyAir Ministrybiplaneconventional landing gearoleo strutshock absorbersradius rodsradialcowlingcylinderVickers machine gunscrankshaftArmstrong WhitworthSam D. HeronJaguaraileronsRomaniaCoventrysuperchargedsubcontractedBlackburnBristolGlosterVickersNo. 111 SquadronBristol BulldogClennell H. DickinsCamp BordenTrentonCalgaryHawker HurricanemonoplaneSiskin air demonstration teamair racingKing's Cup air raceFlight LieutenantCanadaNo. 1 SquadronSiskinsEstoniaEstonian Air ForceSwedenUnited KingdomNo. 17 SquadronNo. 19 SquadronNo. 25 SquadronNo. 29 SquadronNo. 32 SquadronNo. 43 SquadronNo. 54 SquadronNo. 56 SquadronAir Service TrainingArmstrong Siddeley Jaguar IVradial piston engineGloster GamecockGloster GrebeHawker WoodcockList of aircraft of Canada's air forcesList of aircraft of the Royal Air ForceAir EnthusiastGunston, BillAeroplane MonthlyAir-BritainF.K.10F.K.12F.K.13A.W.14A.W.15A.W.16A.W.17A.W.19A.W.23A.W.27A.W.29A.W.35A.W.38A.W.41A.W.52A.W.55A.W.169A.W.171A.W.650A.W.660A.W.670A.W.680A.W.681AlbemarleApolloArgosy (1)Argosy (2)AtalantaEnsignMeteorSea HawkScimitarSinaiaSissitStarlingTadpoleWhitleyArgosy (1920s)Atlas/Ajax/AriesF.K.9/F.K.10ArmadilloArgosy (AW.660)Airbus Canada2/180 Gyroplane