SAF (Armstrong Whitworth) Atlas

SAF (Armstrong Whitworth) Atlas History

In 1931, the Greek State Aircraft Factory (SAF) developed a modified version of the British Armstrong Whitworth "Atlas" aircraft for the Army Co-op role. This Greek variant aimed to be a cost-effective alternative to the original, with only minor changes to its propeller, wings, and engine components. However, its performance fell short, resulting in only ten units in service, and it had a brief operational lifespan leading up to World War II (1939-1945). Both the Greek Navy and Air Force utilized some form of the Atlas biplane.

The Greek version closely mirrored the original design, featuring two wings, a front-mounted engine, and an open-air cockpit for the pilot. An observer sat behind the pilot, equipped with a machine gun, and the aircraft could be adapted for water landings with the addition of buoys. Its tail included a circular vertical fin and a low horizontal surface. Additionally, the plane was armed with a forward-firing machine gun for the pilot and had the capacity to carry up to four 112 lb bombs under its wings.

The British Atlas, on which the Greek variant was based, saw a production run of approximately 478 units from 1927 to 1933. It served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) until 1935 and 1942, respectively.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service: 1931

Origins: Greece

Status: Retirement

Crew: 2

Production: 10

Manufacturer: State Aircraft Factory (SAF) - Greece / Armstrong Whitworth - UK

Operator: Greece

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 28.5 feet (8.70m)

Width/span: 39.5 feet (12.05m)

Height: 10.5 feet (3.20m)

Cured weight: 2,557 lbs (1,160 kg)

MTOW: 4,023 lbs (1,825 kg)

Wgt Difference: +1,466 lbs (+665kg)

Performance

Installed: 1 x Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IVC 14-cylinder twin-row air-cooled radial piston engine producing 450 hp and driving a twin-blade propeller unit in the nose.

Maximum speed: 84 km/h (135 km/h | 73 kn)

Maximum: 15,420 feet (4,700 m | 3 km)

Area: 395 km(635 km | 1,176 nautical miles)

Rate of climb: 855 ft/min (261 m/min)

Weapon

Standard:

1 x 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun for pilot's fixed forward mount.

1 x .303" (7.7mm) Lewis machine gun mounted on a learnable mount in the rear cockpit for the rear gunner.

Optional:

Carry 4 x 112 lb conventional bombs under the wings.