The Airspeed Consul is a twin-engine light transport aircraft and affordable airliner designed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Airspeed Limited.
Introduced during the immediate post-war period, it was a straight forward conversion of surplus Airspeed Oxford military trainers that had been extensively used during the Second World War.
Early on in the conflict, Airspeed’s management recognized that the vast numbers of Oxfords then in military service would need a new purpose as an inevitable consequence of demobilization greatly reducing military demand for the type.
The Consul was developed into various models, each being typically suited for a particular role, such as an air ambulance, freighter, executive transport, and airliner.
Airspeed marketed the type particularly heavily towards private owner-pilots and businesses, the latter being an a typical choice for the era.
A number were also produced with armaments, having been militarized and exported to multiple overseas air forces.
By the end of production, 162 Consuls had been produced.
