Whitley test "produced a failure at 98% of the design load" is that good?

[Observer1940]

Bill

Thanks, for those interesting comments you make, especially your comment, about when an aircraft weakness was discovered, it was then likely subsequently modified.

However, a file in AVIA 46 produced at our National Archives Kew, for the Air Ministry Whitley Aircraft Contracts was originally PA to Archives for permanent preservation, but susequently weeded and then PA to Archives twice again, with the numbered Minutes (Index Sheet) relating to correspondence of the early Whitley aircraft contract life struck out with "destroyed" written in, with the corresponding file parts removed.

A question regarding the Whitley was asked in 1940 to the makers Armstrong Whitworth about the dive speed restrictions on the Whitley.

I have seen a genuine copy of that 1940 reply from Armstrong Whitworth stating that the restrictions were due to the rear of the Whitley aircraft and applicable to all Whitley Marks with the Merlin engine. Regarding the restrictions it states:- "The limiting strength consideration is the rear fuselage in bend, probably just aft of the spar."

I have got some photographs of a Whitley V which has managed to force land, but the rear elevator and rudders have completely collapsed and the empennage damaged.

Mark