Avro
Encyclopedia
Avro was a British
aircraft manufacturer, with numerous landmark designs such as the Avro 504
trainer in the First World War, the Avro Lancaster
, one of the pre-eminent bombers of the Second World War
, and the delta wing Avro Vulcan
, a stalwart of the Cold War
.
One of the world's first aircraft builders, A.V. Roe and Company was established at Brownsfield Mill, Great Ancoats Street, Manchester
, by Alliott Verdon Roe
and his brother Humphrey Verdon Roe on 1 January 1910. Humphrey's contribution was chiefly financial and organizational; funding it from the earnings of the family brace business and Managing director until he joined the RFC in 1917. Alliot had already made a name for himself as a pilot at Brooklands
near Weybridge
in Surrey
and Farnborough
in Hampshire
. One early product was the A.V. Roe Bulls Eye, a duplex triplane with a wingspan of 20 feet. The company built the world's first totally enclosed monoplane
in 1912, but it was the well-proportioned, wooden biplane
known as the Avro 504
that kept the firm busy throughout the First World War
and beyond. Production totalled 8,340 at several factories: Hamble, Failsworth, Miles Platting and Newton Heath and continued for almost 20 years. This was a substantial achievement considering the novelty of powered aircraft in this period.
who had an urgent need for more factory space for vehicle body building. In 1924, the Company left Alexandra Park Aerodrome
in south Manchester where test flying had taken place during the period since 1918 and the site was taken over by a mixture of recreation and housing development. A rural site to the south of the growing city was found at New Hall Farm, Woodford in Cheshire
, which continues to serve aviation builders BAE Systems
to this day. In 1928 Crossley Motors sold AVRO to Armstrong Siddeley
Holdings Ltd. In 1928, A.V.Roe resigned from the company he had founded and formed the Saunders-Roe
company that after World War II developed several radical designs for combat jets, and, eventually, a range of powerful hovercraft
. In 1935, Avro became a subsidiary of Hawker Siddeley.
Maintaining their skills in designing trainer
aircraft, the company built a more robust biplane called the Avro Tutor in the 1930s that the Royal Air Force (RAF)
also bought in quantity. A twin piston-engined airliner called the Anson
followed but as tensions rose again in Europe the firm's emphasis returned to combat aircraft. The Avro Manchester
, Lancaster
, and Lincoln
were particularly famous Avro designs. Over 7,000 Lancasters were built and their bombing capabilities led to their use in the famous Dam Busters
raid. Of the total, nearly half were built at Avro's Woodford and Chadderton (Manchester) sites, with some 700 Lancasters built at the Avro "shadow" factory next to Leeds Bradford Airport (formerly Yeadon Aerodrome), north-west Leeds
. This factory employed 17,500 workers at a time when the population of Yeadon was just 10,000. The old taxiway from the factory to the runway is still evident.
and maritime reconnaissance Shackleton
were derived from the successful Lancaster design. The Tudor
was a pressurised but problematic post-war Avro airliner that faced strong competition from designs by Bristol
, Canadair
, Douglas
, Handley Page
, and Lockheed
. With the same wings and engines as the Lincoln, it achieved only a short (34 completed) production run following a first flight in June 1945 and the cancellation of an order from BOAC
. The older Avro York
was somewhat more successful in both the RAF and in commercial service, being distinguished by a fuselage square in cross-section. Both Tudors and Yorks played an important humanitarian part in the Berlin Airlift.
The postwar Vulcan
bomber
s, originally designed as a nuclear strike aircraft, were used to maintain the British nuclear deterrent, armed with the Avro Blue Steel
stand-off nuclear bomb. The Vulcan
saw service as a conventional bomber during the British campaign to recapture the Falkland Islands
in 1982. Recently Vulcan XH558 flew again after several years of refurbishment, and several are prized as museum exhibits.
A twin turboprop airliner
, the Avro 748
, was developed during the 1950s and sold widely across the globe, powered by two Rolls-Royce Dart
engines. The Royal Flight bought a few and a variant with a rear-loading ramp and a "kneeling" main undercarriage was sold to the RAF and several members of the Commonwealth
as the Andover.
firm in Malton, Ontario
, and renamed the operation A.V. Roe Canada Limited. Commonly known as Avro Canada
, it was actually a subsidiary of the Hawker Siddeley Group and used the Avro name for trading purposes.
from 1994 to 2001. This aircraft type is sometimes also loosely called the "Avro 146".
The BAe ATP (Advanced Turbo Prop) design evolved from the Avro 748
and examples continue in use on shorter, mainly domestic, scheduled air services. A few Avro 504s, Tutors, Ansons and Lancasters, along with a single Vulcan, XH558 (Vulcan to the Sky), are lovingly maintained in flying condition as reminders of the heritage of this influential English company. At 39 years, the noisy but impressive Shackleton held the distinction of being the aircraft with the longest period of active RAF service, until overtaken by the English Electric Canberra
in 1998.
In 1927 Alliott Verdon-Roe designed a two-wheeler car powered by a 350cc Villiers
air-cooled engine. An outrigger wheel kept the car upright when stationary. The Mobile did not go into production.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
aircraft manufacturer, with numerous landmark designs such as the Avro 504
Avro 504
The Avro 504 was a World War I biplane aircraft made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others. Production during the War totalled 8,970 and continued for almost 20 years, making it the most-produced aircraft of any kind that served in World War I, in any military capacity, during...
trainer in the First World War, the Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
, one of the pre-eminent bombers of the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and the delta wing Avro Vulcan
Avro Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan, sometimes referred to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan, was a jet-powered delta wing strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A V Roe & Co designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced,...
, a stalwart of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
Early history
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, by Alliott Verdon Roe
Alliott Verdon Roe
Sir Edwin Alliott Verdon Roe OBE, FRAeS was a pioneer English pilot and aircraft manufacturer, and founder in 1910 of the Avro company...
and his brother Humphrey Verdon Roe on 1 January 1910. Humphrey's contribution was chiefly financial and organizational; funding it from the earnings of the family brace business and Managing director until he joined the RFC in 1917. Alliot had already made a name for himself as a pilot at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
near Weybridge
Weybridge
Weybridge is a town in the Elmbridge district of Surrey in South East England. It is bounded to the north by the River Thames at the mouth of the River Wey, from which it gets its name...
in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
and Farnborough
Farnborough, Hampshire
-History:Name changes: Ferneberga ; Farnburghe, Farenberg ; Farnborowe, Fremborough, Fameborough .Tower Hill, Cove: There is substantial evidence...
in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. One early product was the A.V. Roe Bulls Eye, a duplex triplane with a wingspan of 20 feet. The company built the world's first totally enclosed monoplane
Monoplane
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with one main set of wing surfaces, in contrast to a biplane or triplane. Since the late 1930s it has been the most common form for a fixed wing aircraft.-Types of monoplane:...
in 1912, but it was the well-proportioned, wooden biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
known as the Avro 504
Avro 504
The Avro 504 was a World War I biplane aircraft made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others. Production during the War totalled 8,970 and continued for almost 20 years, making it the most-produced aircraft of any kind that served in World War I, in any military capacity, during...
that kept the firm busy throughout the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and beyond. Production totalled 8,340 at several factories: Hamble, Failsworth, Miles Platting and Newton Heath and continued for almost 20 years. This was a substantial achievement considering the novelty of powered aircraft in this period.
The inter-war years
After the boom in orders during the First World War, the lack of new work with peace caused severe financial problems and in August 1920 68.5% of the company's shares were acquired by nearby Crossley MotorsCrossley Motors
Crossley Motors was a British motor vehicle manufacturer based in Manchester, England. They produced approximately 19,000 high quality cars from 1904 until 1938, 5,500 buses from 1926 until 1958 and 21,000 goods and military vehicles from 1914 to 1945.Crossley Brothers, originally...
who had an urgent need for more factory space for vehicle body building. In 1924, the Company left Alexandra Park Aerodrome
Alexandra Park Aerodrome
Alexandra Park Aerodrome was the second purpose-built aerodrome in the Manchester area. The site was chosen by the War Department in 1917 because of its open agricultural nature, and lay between the neighbouring districts of Fallowfield, Chorlton, Withington and West Didsbury, at the junction of...
in south Manchester where test flying had taken place during the period since 1918 and the site was taken over by a mixture of recreation and housing development. A rural site to the south of the growing city was found at New Hall Farm, Woodford in Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, which continues to serve aviation builders BAE Systems
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
to this day. In 1928 Crossley Motors sold AVRO to Armstrong Siddeley
Armstrong Siddeley
Armstrong Siddeley was a British engineering group that operated during the first half of the 20th century. It was formed in 1919 and is best known for the production of luxury motor cars and aircraft engines.-Siddeley Autocars:...
Holdings Ltd. In 1928, A.V.Roe resigned from the company he had founded and formed the Saunders-Roe
Saunders-Roe
Saunders-Roe Limited was a British aero- and marine-engineering company based at Columbine Works East Cowes, Isle of Wight.-History:The name was adopted in 1929 after Alliot Verdon Roe and John Lord took a controlling interest in the boat-builders S.E. Saunders...
company that after World War II developed several radical designs for combat jets, and, eventually, a range of powerful hovercraft
Hovercraft
A hovercraft is a craft capable of traveling over surfaces while supported by a cushion of slow moving, high-pressure air which is ejected against the surface below and contained within a "skirt." Although supported by air, a hovercraft is not considered an aircraft.Hovercraft are used throughout...
. In 1935, Avro became a subsidiary of Hawker Siddeley.
The Second World War
Trainer (aircraft)
A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate in-flight training of pilots and aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristics and a simplified cockpit arrangement—allows...
aircraft, the company built a more robust biplane called the Avro Tutor in the 1930s that the Royal Air Force (RAF)
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
also bought in quantity. A twin piston-engined airliner called the Anson
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
followed but as tensions rose again in Europe the firm's emphasis returned to combat aircraft. The Avro Manchester
Avro Manchester
|-See also:-References:NotesCitationsBibliography* Buttler, Tony. British Secret Projects: Fighters and Bombers 1935–1950. Hickley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2004. ISBN 978-1857801798....
, Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
, and Lincoln
Avro Lincoln
The Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, was a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were known initially as the Lancaster IV and V, but were renamed Lincoln I and II...
were particularly famous Avro designs. Over 7,000 Lancasters were built and their bombing capabilities led to their use in the famous Dam Busters
Operation Chastise
Operation Chastise was an attack on German dams carried out on 16–17 May 1943 by Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron, subsequently known as the "Dambusters", using a specially developed "bouncing bomb" invented and developed by Barnes Wallis...
raid. Of the total, nearly half were built at Avro's Woodford and Chadderton (Manchester) sites, with some 700 Lancasters built at the Avro "shadow" factory next to Leeds Bradford Airport (formerly Yeadon Aerodrome), north-west Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
. This factory employed 17,500 workers at a time when the population of Yeadon was just 10,000. The old taxiway from the factory to the runway is still evident.
Postwar developments
The civilian LancastrianAvro Lancastrian
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Franks, Richard A. The Avro Lancaster, Manchester and Lincoln: A Comprehensive Guide for the Modeller. London: SAM Publications, 2000. ISBN 0-9533465-3-6....
and maritime reconnaissance Shackleton
Avro Shackleton
The Avro Shackleton was a British long-range maritime patrol aircraft for use by the Royal Air Force. It was developed by Avro from the Avro Lincoln bomber with a new fuselage...
were derived from the successful Lancaster design. The Tudor
Avro Tudor
Avro's Type 688 Tudor was a British piston-engined airliner based on their four-engine Lincoln bomber, itself a descendant of the famous Lancaster heavy bomber, and was Britain's first pressurised airliner...
was a pressurised but problematic post-war Avro airliner that faced strong competition from designs by Bristol
Bristol Aeroplane Company
The Bristol Aeroplane Company, originally the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, was both one of the first and one of the most important British aviation companies, designing and manufacturing both airframes and aero engines...
, Canadair
Bombardier Aerospace
Bombardier Aerospace is a division of Bombardier Inc. and is the third-largest airplane manufacturer in the world. It is headquartered in Dorval, Quebec, Canada.- History :...
, Douglas
Douglas Aircraft Company
The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas...
, Handley Page
Handley Page Aircraft Company
Handley Page Limited was founded by Frederick Handley Page in 1909 as the United Kingdom's first publicly traded aircraft manufacturing company. It went into voluntary liquidation and ceased to exist in 1970...
, and Lockheed
Lockheed Corporation
The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
. With the same wings and engines as the Lincoln, it achieved only a short (34 completed) production run following a first flight in June 1945 and the cancellation of an order from BOAC
Boac
Boac may refer to:* Boac, Marinduque, a municipality in the Southern Philippines* Boac , an American rapper* British Overseas Airways Corporation, a former British state-owned airline...
. The older Avro York
Avro York
The Avro York was a British transport aircraft that was derived from the Second World War Lancaster heavy bomber, and used in both military and airliner roles between 1943 and 1964.-Design and development:...
was somewhat more successful in both the RAF and in commercial service, being distinguished by a fuselage square in cross-section. Both Tudors and Yorks played an important humanitarian part in the Berlin Airlift.
The postwar Vulcan
Avro Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan, sometimes referred to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan, was a jet-powered delta wing strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A V Roe & Co designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced,...
bomber
Bomber
A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...
s, originally designed as a nuclear strike aircraft, were used to maintain the British nuclear deterrent, armed with the Avro Blue Steel
Blue Steel missile
The Avro Blue Steel was a British air-launched, rocket-propelled nuclear stand-off missile, built to arm the V bomber force. It was the primary British nuclear deterrent weapon until the Royal Navy started operating Polaris missile armed nuclear submarines....
stand-off nuclear bomb. The Vulcan
Avro Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan, sometimes referred to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan, was a jet-powered delta wing strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A V Roe & Co designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced,...
saw service as a conventional bomber during the British campaign to recapture the Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
in 1982. Recently Vulcan XH558 flew again after several years of refurbishment, and several are prized as museum exhibits.
A twin turboprop airliner
Airliner
An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo. Such aircraft are operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an aircraft intended for carrying multiple passengers in commercial...
, the Avro 748
Avro 748
The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 is a medium-sized turboprop airliner originally designed by the British firm Avro in the late 1950s as a replacement for the now-aged DC-3s then in widespread service as feederliners. Avro concentrated on performance, notably for STOL operations, and found a dedicated...
, was developed during the 1950s and sold widely across the globe, powered by two Rolls-Royce Dart
Rolls-Royce Dart
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:*...
engines. The Royal Flight bought a few and a variant with a rear-loading ramp and a "kneeling" main undercarriage was sold to the RAF and several members of the Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
as the Andover.
Avro Canada
In 1945, Hawker Siddeley Group purchased the former Victory AircraftVictory Aircraft
Victory Aircraft Limited was a Canadian manufacturing company that, during the Second World War, built mainly British-designed aircraft under license. It acted as a shadow factory, safe from the reach of German bombers....
firm in Malton, Ontario
Malton, Ontario
Malton is a neighbourhood in the northeastern part of the city of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, located to the northwest of Toronto. The neighbourhood has a population of approximately 36,400 as of 2002....
, and renamed the operation A.V. Roe Canada Limited. Commonly known as Avro Canada
Avro Canada
Commonly known as Avro Canada, this company started in 1945 as an aircraft plant and became within thirteen years the third-largest company in Canada, one of the largest 100 companies in the world, and directly employing over 50,000...
, it was actually a subsidiary of the Hawker Siddeley Group and used the Avro name for trading purposes.
Amalgamation
When the company was absorbed into Hawker Siddeley Aviation in July 1963, the Avro name ceased to be used. But the brand had a strong heritage appeal, and the marketing name "Avro RJ" (regional jet) was used by British Aerospace for production of the RJ-85 and RJ-100 models of the BAe 146BAe 146
The British Aerospace 146 is a medium-sized commercial airliner formerly manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace, later part of BAE Systems. Production ran from 1983 until 2002. Manufacture of an improved version known as the Avro RJ began in 1992...
from 1994 to 2001. This aircraft type is sometimes also loosely called the "Avro 146".
The BAe ATP (Advanced Turbo Prop) design evolved from the Avro 748
Avro 748
The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 is a medium-sized turboprop airliner originally designed by the British firm Avro in the late 1950s as a replacement for the now-aged DC-3s then in widespread service as feederliners. Avro concentrated on performance, notably for STOL operations, and found a dedicated...
and examples continue in use on shorter, mainly domestic, scheduled air services. A few Avro 504s, Tutors, Ansons and Lancasters, along with a single Vulcan, XH558 (Vulcan to the Sky), are lovingly maintained in flying condition as reminders of the heritage of this influential English company. At 39 years, the noisy but impressive Shackleton held the distinction of being the aircraft with the longest period of active RAF service, until overtaken by the English Electric Canberra
English Electric Canberra
The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
in 1998.
Avro aeroplanes
- Roe I BiplaneRoe I Biplane|-See also:* I * II Triplane* III Triplane* IV Triplane-External links:*...
- Roe I Triplane
- Roe II TriplaneRoe II Triplane|-See also:-References:*...
- Roe III TriplaneRoe III Triplane|-See also:-References:*...
- Roe IV TriplaneRoe IV Triplane-Bibliography:* Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft Since 1908 London: Putnam, 1965.* Taylor, M.J.H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation London: Studio Editions, 1989, p.91* World Aircraft Information Files London: Bright Star. File 889, Sheet 92...
- Avro Mercury
- Avro Curtiss typeLakes Water BirdThe Lakes Waterbird, sometimes known as the Avro Curtiss type is remembered as the first consistently successful British seaplane, developed by the Windemere based Lakes Flying Co, during 1911.-Development:...
- Roe-DuiganAvro Duigan|-References:* Lewis P British Aircraft 1809-1914. London: Putnam, 1962* Jackson A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908 London: Putnam, 1965* Penrose H British Aviation: The Pioneer Years. London: Putnam, 1967...
- Roe-Burga monoplane
- Roe Type D
- Roe Type F
- Roe Type G
- Avro 500 (Type E)Avro 500-References:* Lewis. P British Aircraft 1809-1914. London: Putnam 1962* World Aircraft Information Files, File 889 Sheet 92 . London: BrightStar...
- Avro 501 (Type H)Avro 501|-See also:-References:*...
- Avro 502
- Avro 503 (Type H)
- Avro 504Avro 504The Avro 504 was a World War I biplane aircraft made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others. Production during the War totalled 8,970 and continued for almost 20 years, making it the most-produced aircraft of any kind that served in World War I, in any military capacity, during...
- Avro 508Avro 508|-References:* "". Flight, 21 March 1914. pp. 295-297.*Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London:Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-834-8....
- Avro 509 – proposed twin engined tractor biplane seaplane, not built.
- Avro 510Avro 510-Notes:Most sources give the powerplant of the 510 as a Sunbeam Nubian, an engine that would not yet exist until all the 510s had been withdrawn from service in 1916. The Wolverhampton Museum of Industry website cites Eric Brew's Sunbeam Aero Engines and identifies the 510's engine as a...
- Avro 511
- Avro 519Avro 519-External links:*...
- Avro 521Avro 521-Bibliography:* William Green and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Colour Library Direct, Godalming, UK: 1994. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.* Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London:Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-834-8....
- Avro 523 PikeAvro Pike|-References:NotesClimb to 5,000 ft in 9 min 30 sec.CitationsBibliography* Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-834-8....
- Avro 529
- Avro 530Avro 530-Bibliography:* William Green and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Colour Library Direct, Godalming, UK: 1994. ISBN 1-85833-777-1....
- Avro 531 SpiderAvro Spider-References:NotesBibliography* Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-834-8.* Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989, p. 93....
- Avro 533 ManchesterAvro 533 Manchester-Bibliography:* Harlin, E.A. and G.A. Jenks. Avro: An Aircraft Album. Shepperton, Middlesex, UK: Ian Allen, 1973. ISBN 0-7710-0342-4.* Holmes, Harry. Avro: The History of an Aircraft Company. Wiltshire, UK: The Crowood Press, 2004. ISBN 1-86126-651-0....
- Avro 534 BabyAvro Baby-External links:* Contemporary technical description with photographs and drawings....
- Avro 536Avro 536-References:*...
- Avro 539Avro 539|-See also:-External links:*...
- Avro 547Avro 547-External links:*...
- Avro 548Avro 548-External links:*...
- Avro 549 AldershotAvro Aldershot-See also:-External links:*...
- Avro 552Avro 552-External links:*...
- Avro 555 BisonAvro Bison-See also:...
- Avro 557 Ava
- Avro 558Avro 558|-See also:-External links:*...
- Avro 560Avro 560-External links:*...
- Avro 561 AndoverAvro Andover|-References:* Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London:Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-834-8-External links:* *...
- Avro 562 AvisAvro Avis|-See also:-External links:*...
- Avro 566 AvengerAvro Avenger-External links:* *...
- Avro 571 BuffaloAvro Buffalo|-See also:...
- Avro 581Avro AvianThe Avro Avian was a series of British light aircraft designed and built by Avro in the 1920s and '30s. While the various versions of the Avian were sound aircraft, they were comprehensively outsold by the de Havilland Moth and its descendants....
- Avro 584 AvocetAvro Avocet-External links:* *...
- Avro 594 AvianAvro AvianThe Avro Avian was a series of British light aircraft designed and built by Avro in the 1920s and '30s. While the various versions of the Avian were sound aircraft, they were comprehensively outsold by the de Havilland Moth and its descendants....
- Avro 604 AntelopeAvro Antelope|-See also:-External links:*...
- Avro 616 AvianAvro AvianThe Avro Avian was a series of British light aircraft designed and built by Avro in the 1920s and '30s. While the various versions of the Avian were sound aircraft, they were comprehensively outsold by the de Havilland Moth and its descendants....
- Avro 618 TenAvro 618 Ten-See also:-References:* Priest, Joan Virtue in Flying. 1975 Angus & Robertson ISBN 0207132305-External links:* —Image collection of Ed Coates...
- Avro 619 FiveAvro 618 Ten-See also:-References:* Priest, Joan Virtue in Flying. 1975 Angus & Robertson ISBN 0207132305-External links:* —Image collection of Ed Coates...
- Avro 621 Tutor
- Avro 624 SixAvro 618 Ten-See also:-References:* Priest, Joan Virtue in Flying. 1975 Angus & Robertson ISBN 0207132305-External links:* —Image collection of Ed Coates...
- Avro 626 PrefectAvro Prefect-Bibliography:* Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908, 2nd edition. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-834-8.* Pacco, John. "Avro 626 'Prefect'" Belgisch Leger/Armee Belge: Het Militair Vliegwezen/l'Aeronautique Militaire 1930-1940. Aartselaar, Belgium: J.P. Publications, 2003,...
- Avro 627 MailplaneAvro Mailplane|-See also:...
- Avro 631 CadetAvro Cadet|-See also:-External links:**...
- Avro 636 (1935)
- Avro 638 Club CadetAvro 638|-See also:-External links:*...
(1933) - Avro 641 CommodoreAvro Commodore|-See also:...
(1935) - Avro 642 EighteenAvro 642 Eighteen-See also:...
- Avro 643 CadetAvro Cadet|-See also:-External links:**...
- Avro 652Avro 652|-See also:...
- Avro 652A AnsonAvro AnsonThe Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
(1935) - Avro 671 RotaCierva C.30A AutogiroThe Cierva C.30 was an autogiro designed by Juan de la Cierva and built under licence from the Cierva Autogiro Company by A V Roe & Co Ltd , Lioré-et-Olivier and Focke-Wulf.-Design and development:...
(1935) - Avro 679 ManchesterAvro Manchester|-See also:-References:NotesCitationsBibliography* Buttler, Tony. British Secret Projects: Fighters and Bombers 1935–1950. Hickley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2004. ISBN 978-1857801798....
(1939) - Avro 683 LancasterAvro LancasterThe Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
(1941)- Avro Lancaster PA474Avro Lancaster PA474Avro Lancaster PA474 is a four-engined, Second World War, heavy bomber operated by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as a tribute to all members of Bomber Command during the Second World War....
- List of Avro Lancaster operators
- List of surviving Avro Lancasters
- Avro Lancaster PA474
- Avro 684Avro 684The Avro 684 was a prototype British heavy bomber of the Second World War, based on Avro's successful Lancaster.-Design:In August, Avro completed the drawings for the 684 Stratosphere Bomber, a design based on the Lancaster which had then just entered production...
(1941) - Avro 685 YorkAvro YorkThe Avro York was a British transport aircraft that was derived from the Second World War Lancaster heavy bomber, and used in both military and airliner roles between 1943 and 1964.-Design and development:...
(1942) - Avro 688 TudorAvro TudorAvro's Type 688 Tudor was a British piston-engined airliner based on their four-engine Lincoln bomber, itself a descendant of the famous Lancaster heavy bomber, and was Britain's first pressurised airliner...
(1945) - Avro 689 TudorAvro TudorAvro's Type 688 Tudor was a British piston-engined airliner based on their four-engine Lincoln bomber, itself a descendant of the famous Lancaster heavy bomber, and was Britain's first pressurised airliner...
- Avro 691 LancastrianAvro Lancastrian|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Franks, Richard A. The Avro Lancaster, Manchester and Lincoln: A Comprehensive Guide for the Modeller. London: SAM Publications, 2000. ISBN 0-9533465-3-6....
(1943) - Avro 694 LincolnAvro LincolnThe Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, was a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were known initially as the Lancaster IV and V, but were renamed Lincoln I and II...
(1944) - Avro 701 AthenaAvro Athena|-See also:-External links:*...
(1948) - Avro 695 LincolnianAvro LincolnThe Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, was a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were known initially as the Lancaster IV and V, but were renamed Lincoln I and II...
(1949) - Avro 696 ShackletonAvro ShackletonThe Avro Shackleton was a British long-range maritime patrol aircraft for use by the Royal Air Force. It was developed by Avro from the Avro Lincoln bomber with a new fuselage...
(1949) - Avro 698 VulcanAvro VulcanThe Avro Vulcan, sometimes referred to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan, was a jet-powered delta wing strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A V Roe & Co designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced,...
(1952)- Avro Vulcan XH558Avro Vulcan XH558Avro Vulcan XH558 The Spirit Of Great Britain is the only airworthy example of the 134 Avro Vulcan V-bombers that were operated by the Royal Air Force from 1953 until 1984. Vulcan XH558 served with the RAF between 1960 and 1985 in the bomber, maritime reconnaissance and air-to-air refuelling roles...
- Avro Vulcan XM655Avro Vulcan XM655Avro Vulcan XM655 is one of two remaining taxiable Avro Vulcans. XM655 is currently owned and maintained by the 655 Maintenance & Preservation Society who keep the plane in a taxiable condition.-History:...
- Avro Vulcan XH558
- Avro 707Avro 707|-See also:-References:NotesCitationsBibliography* Buttler, Tony. "Avro Type 698 Vulcan ." Aeroplane, Vol. 35, No. 4, Issue No. 408, April 2007....
(1949) - Avro AshtonAvro Ashton|-References:NotesBibliography* Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 2000 . ISBN 0-85177-797-X.* Winchester, Jim. X-Planes and Prototypes. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2005. ISBN 1-904687-40-7....
(1950) - Avro 748Avro 748The Hawker Siddeley HS 748 is a medium-sized turboprop airliner originally designed by the British firm Avro in the late 1950s as a replacement for the now-aged DC-3s then in widespread service as feederliners. Avro concentrated on performance, notably for STOL operations, and found a dedicated...
(1960) – became the Hawker Siddeley Andover, HS 748 and BAe 748
Unbuilt projects
- Avro 720Avro 720|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* . Flight, 27 July 1956. pp. 160–164.* . Flight, 17 August 1967, p. 262.* Jackson, A. J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London:Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-834-8....
– planned rocketArmstrong Siddeley ScreamerThe Armstrong Siddeley Screamer was a rocket engine intended to power the Avro 720 manned interceptor aircraft . Thrust was variable, up to a maximum of 8,000 lbf....
interceptor, to OR.301 as for the SR.53. Cancelled before flight. - Avro 730Avro 730|-See also:-References:CitationsBibliography* Bartlett, Christopher John. "The Long Retreat: A Short History of British Defence Policy, 1945-70". Macmillan, 1971.* Brookes, Andrew J. "V-Force: The History of Britain's Airborne Deterrent ". Jane's, 1982....
– planned supersonic bomber, never completed - Avro 734 – planned long-range decoy air-launched by Vulcans.
Rotorcraft
- Avro 574 – Cierva C.6Cierva C.6-References:* Original pictures and data of this article were taken from "Museo del Aire", Cuatro Vientos, Madrid, Spain-See also:...
- Avro 586 – Cierva C.8
- Avro 576 – Cierva C.9Cierva C.9-See also:...
- Avro 612 – Cierva C.17Cierva C.17|-References:* -See also:...
- Avro 620 – Cierva C.19Cierva C.19The Cierva C.19 was an autogyro designed by Spanish engineer Juan de la Cierva in England in 1929 and built by Avro which designated it their Type 620...
- Avro 671 Rota – Cierva C.30
- Cierva C.12
Avro Canada
- Avro Canada C-102 Jetliner
- Avro Canada CF-100 CanuckAvro CF-100The Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck was a Canadian jet interceptor/fighter serving during the Cold War both in NATO bases in Europe and as part of NORAD. The CF-100 was the only Canadian-designed fighter to enter mass production, serving primarily with the RCAF/CAF and in small numbers in Belgium...
- Avro Canada CF-105 ArrowCF-105 ArrowThe Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow was a delta-winged interceptor aircraft, designed and built by Avro Aircraft Limited in Malton, Ontario, Canada, as the culmination of a design study that began in 1953...
- Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar
Unbuilt projects
- Avro Canada CF-103Avro Canada CF-103|-See also:-References:NotesCitationsBibliography* Campagna, Palmiro. Requiem for a Giant: A.V. Roe Canada and the Avro Arrow. Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2003. ISBN 1-5500-2438-8....
(mock-up only) - Avro Canada Project Y-1 (mock-up only)
- Avro Canada Project Y-2 (scale test models only)
- Avro Canada PV-704 (built as engine test model only)
Car production
Avro also built motor vehicles in the immediate post-World War 1 era. Avro produced the three-wheeler Harper Runabout, and also their own light car, which was powered by a 1,330 cc 4-cylinder engine. Wood and aluminium was used in an integral construction, similar to an aircraft. Approximately 100 were built.In 1927 Alliott Verdon-Roe designed a two-wheeler car powered by a 350cc Villiers
Villiers
-Places:In Canada* Villiers, Ontario, a small settlement near PeterboroughIn France* Villiers, Indre, in the Indre département* Villiers, Vienne, in the Vienne département* Villiers-Adam, in the Val-d'Oise département...
air-cooled engine. An outrigger wheel kept the car upright when stationary. The Mobile did not go into production.