The Albemarle, while totally mediocre, was the successful culmination of an Air Ministry specification. It came exactly as ordered. It was only the private venture genius and persisting of Geoffrey De Havilland and the Mosquito that put it in perspective as a piece of crap. The Bristol Brigand etc. also suffered by comparison. It's original manufacture was understandable, but it's continued production was folly. It's service as a glider tug was serendipitous in that it performed a function and covered up stupidity. Thus, it was a true multi-role aircraft. And significantly, it was not the worst folly produced.

You may wish to add that the poor old Albemarle was offered to the USSR in the middle years of the War and, for some weeks, one or more with Red Star markings were to be seea flying in the vicinity of Hurn airfield. The Russian opinion of this sad aircraft was no higher than our own. I'm personally glad, though, that it eventually had an important role as a glider tug in all those important airborne landings. An unfortunate and unsuccessful aircraft, perhaps, but not a heap of rubbish, thank you.

When staying at airfield as ATC cadet during war, forgotten which drome, watched an Albemarle come in with wheels up and crash land successfully! Then went up in Horsa behind a Halifax, switching from high tow to low very rough, think I was only one not sick!

This heap of flying rubbish was a contempary of the Mitchel and Marauder! Say no more! Sorry! contempory...

This heap of flying rubbish was a contempary of the Mitchel and Marauder! Say no more!

DID ANY OF THE dIFFERENT MARKS OF THIS AIRCRAFT HAVE A DOOR IN THE PORT SIDE OF THE FUSALGE FOR THE ENTRY OF PARATROOPERS, OR DID ALL AIRCRAFT HAVE THE ENTRANCE AND EXIT UNDER THE FUSALGE.