Arrow
Arrow Aircraft (Leeds) Ltd.Arrow Aircraft Ltd.
Contents
History
Arrow Aircraft (Leeds) Ltd. was formed at Leeds in April, 1930 to produce the Arrow Active single-seat all-metal aerobatic biplane, largely designed by Arthur Cecil Thornton (responsible for Blackburn Bluebird of 1924). Although it was originally hoped that the military might show an interest in the aircraft, this did not transpire, and the Active was flown as a sports plane.
Mainly due to the recession, the Active was not successful and in 1935, the company name was changed to Arrow Aircraft Ltd and moved to larger premises in Yeadon, concentrating mainly on aircraft components and armaments.
In 1951, the business was taken over by Hepworth and Grandage and in 1957 the assets of Arrow Aircraft Ltd were acquired by Slingsby Sailplanes Ltd.
Company References
- British Light Aeroplanes 1920-1940, Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume (GMS Enterprises, 2000)
Project Data
| Project No | Type No | Name | Alternative Name(s) | Year | Spec (Requirement) | Status | Qty | Description | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active I | 1931 | Proto | 1 | 1S, 1E biplane sports aircraft | 1,2,3,4,5 | ||||
| Active II | 1932 | Proto | 1 | 1S, 1E biplane sports aircraft | 1,2,3,5 |
- British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1, A.J. Jackson (Putnam, 2nd Ed., 1973)
- British Light Aeroplanes 1920-1940, Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume (GMS Enterprises, 2000)
- Aeroplane Monthly Nov 1977
- Flight 24 Jul 1931
- Air Britain Archive, 2003/3 (Air-Britain Publications)
Production Details and Type Description
All metal single seat single bay biplane, the upper wing being mounted directly on top of the fuselage. The fuselage was approximately oval and built in three sections: the forward section, including the engine mountings, was of monocoque construction having steel channel longitudinal members and duralumin sheet covering. The centre portion supported the wings and consisted of a box-type structure, while the rear fuselage was a rigidly braced tubular steel structure of triangular section with formers and stringers to support an external fabric covering. The wings were of unequal span and chord, with dihedral on the top only. Each wing featured a single steel, figure-8 sectioned, spar and drawn duralumin ribs with diagonal bracing tubes and stiffening diaphragms. The wings were fabric covered, as were the Frise type ailerons, fitted to the upper wing only. Wing bracing was by single interplane struts, and the wings could be folded for ease of storage. A small fin supported a larger, unbalanced rudder. One 115 h.p. Cirrus Hermes IIB powerplant.
One aircraft only : G-ABIX, c/n 1, registered to Arrow Aircraft (Leeds) Ltd.
Similar to the Active I, but with the upper wing raised above the fuselage on short cabane struts, the pilot's headrest fairing now extending the length of the upper fuselage, and larger fin and rudder. One 120 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy III powerplant.
One aircraft only : G-ABVE, c/n 2, registered to Arrow Aircraft (Leeds) Ltd..
| Arrow Active II Specification | |||||||||
| Span | Length | Height | Wing Area | Empty Wt | Max AUW | Cruise Speed | Maximum Speed | Range | Service Ceiling |
| 24 ft | 18 ft 10 in | 7 ft 3 in | 120 sq ft | 925 lb | 1325 lb | 128 mph/ 111 kn | 144 mph/ 125 kn | 420 mi | |
| 7.32 m | 5.74 m | 2.21 m | 11.15 m2 | 420 kg | 601 kg | 206 km/h | 232 km/h | 676 km | |
Total Arrow Production2
Page Revision History
Revised at Version 2.0.0- Company History expanded.
- Added Type Description and Specification details.