What 1947 prototype was still flying in 1969?

Short answer

The second prototype of the Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador, registered G-AKRD, was still airworthy in 1969. The type had first flown on 10 July 1947, with the first prototype G-AGUA flown by George B. S. Errington. G-AKRD was used to test the Proteus 705, Tyne and Dart turboprops.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

What 1947 prototype was still flying in 1969?

Airspeed Ambassador 2 ‘G ALZOAlan Wilson from Peterborough, Cambs, UK (CC BY SA), vía commons

An Ambassador turned flying test bed

The first prototype of the Airspeed AS.57 Ambassador, registered G-AGUA, made the type's maiden flight on 10 July 1947, flown by chief test pilot George B. S. Errington. Three prototypes in total were built for the test programme. The second, G-AKRD, was the first pressurised Ambassador and was fitted with a full passenger cabin for demonstration flights.

From Bristol to Rolls-Royce

From 1953, the Bristol Aeroplane Company used that second prototype to flight-test the Bristol Proteus 705 turbine engine. From March 1958 it was used by Rolls-Royce to test the Dart and Tyne turboprops. After those development trials of the Proteus 705, the Tyne and the Dart, G-AKRD was still airworthy in 1969.

The third prototype and the end of the type

The third prototype, G-ALFR, the first Ambassador 2, was initially used in BEA's entry-into-service trials and in 1955 also supported development testing of the Napier Eland turbine engine. It was later converted to airline standard and sold to Dan Air. After BEA retired the type, second-hand Ambassadors helped establish Dan-Air's scheduled and charter operations.