Avro 504

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Avro 504
Avro 504K - Shuttleworth Uncovered 2015 (23172958672).jpg
General information
Type Trainer, fighter, bomber
Manufacturer Avro
Primary users Royal Flying Corps
Number built11,303 including Japanese, Soviet and other foreign production [1]
History
Manufactured1913–1932
Introduction date1913
First flight18 September 1913 [2]
Retired1934

The Avro 504 is a single-engine biplane bomber made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others. Production during World War I totalled 8,970 and continued for almost 20 years, [2] making it the most-produced aircraft of any kind that served in any military capacity during the First World War. More than 10,000 were built from 1913 until production ended in 1932. [3] [4]

Contents

Design and development

Technical drawing Avro 504K dwg.jpg
Technical drawing

First flown from Brooklands by Fred "Freddie" Raynham on 18 September 1913, [5] powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Gnome Lambda seven-cylinder rotary engine, the Avro 504 was a development of the earlier Avro 500, designed for training and private flying. It was a two-bay all-wooden biplane with a square-section fuselage.

Avro 504K from the Shuttleworth Collection Avro 504 by ndrwfgg.jpeg
Avro 504K from the Shuttleworth Collection

Manufacturers

The following companies are recorded as manufacturing the Avro 504 under licence. [6] [7]

Operational history

Foster-mounted Lewis gun on night fighter Avro 504K Foster Mount Avro504.jpg
Foster-mounted Lewis gun on night fighter Avro 504K
"Flight Commander Smith flies for the Peace Loan" Queenslander Pictorial (1919) StateLibQld 1 111320 Flight Commander Smith flies for the Peace Loan, 1919.jpg
"Flight Commander Smith flies for the Peace Loan" Queenslander Pictorial (1919)

Small numbers of early aircraft were purchased by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) prior to the start of the First World War, and were taken to France when the war started. One of the RFC aircraft was the first British aircraft to be shot down by the Germans, on 22 August 1914. The pilot was 2nd Lt. Vincent Waterfall and his navigator Lt Charles George Gordon Bayly (both of 5 Sqn RFC) [9] [10] The RNAS used four 504s to form a special flight to bomb the Zeppelin works at Friedrichshafen on the shores of Lake Constance. Three set out from Belfort in north-eastern France on 21 November 1914, carrying four 20 lb (9 kg) bombs each. While one aircraft was shot down, the raid was successful, with several direct hits on the airship sheds and the destruction of the hydrogen generating plant. [11]

Soon obsolete as a frontline aircraft, it came into its own as a trainer, with thousands being built during the war, with the major production types being the 504J and the mass production 504K, designed with modified engine bearers to accommodate a range of engines to cope with engine shortages. 8,340 Avro 504s had been produced by the end of 1918. [12]

In the winter of 1917–18 it was decided to use converted 504Js and 504Ks to equip Home Defence squadrons of the RFC, replacing ageing B.E.2cs, which had poor altitude performance. These aircraft were modified as single-seaters, armed with a Lewis gun above the wing on a Foster mounting, and powered by 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome or 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhône engines. 274 converted Avro 504Js and Ks were issued to eight home defence squadrons in 1918, with 226 still being used as fighters at the end of the First World War. [13]

Following the end of the war, while the type continued in service as the standard trainer of the RAF, large numbers of surplus aircraft were available for sale, both for civil and military use. More than 300 504Ks were placed on the civil register in Britain. Used for training, pleasure flying, banner towing and even barnstorming exhibitions (as was ongoing in North America following World War I with the similar-role, surplus Curtiss JN-4s and Standard J-1s); civil 504s continued flying in large numbers until well into the 1930s.

The embryonic air service of the Soviet Union, formed just after the First World War, used both original Avro 504s and their own Avrushka (" Little Avro") copy of it for primary training as the U-1 in the early 1920s, usually powered by Russian-made copies of the Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine. This Russian version of the 504 was replaced by what would become the most produced biplane in all of aviation history, the Polikarpov Po-2, first known as the U-2; the type remained in Soviet service till the late 1920s, and much later elsewhere.

Although Avro 504s sold to China were training versions, they participated in battles among warlords by acting as bombers with the pilot dropping hand grenades and modified mortar shells [ citation needed ].

The improved, redesigned and radial-engined 504N with a new undercarriage was produced by Avro in 1925. After evaluation of two prototypes, one powered by the Bristol Lucifer and the other by the Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx, the Lynx-powered aircraft was selected by the RAF to replace the 504K. 592 were built between 1925 and 1932, equipping the RAF's five flying training schools, while also being used as communication aircraft. The 504N was also exported to the armed forces of Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Greece, Siam and South Africa, with licensed production taking place in Denmark, Belgium, Canada, Siam and Japan.

The RAF's 504Ns were finally replaced in 1933 by the Avro Tutor, with small numbers continuing in civilian use until 1940, when seven were impressed into RAF service, where they were used for target- and glider-towing.

The 504 was the first British aeroplane to strafe troops on the ground [14] as well as the first British aircraft to make a bombing raid over Germany. [2] [15] It was also the first Allied aeroplane to be downed by enemy anti-aircraft fire and was the first aircraft flown by many future aces, including Billy Bishop.

The 504 is easily recognisable because of the single skid between the wheels, referred to as the "toothpick" in the RAF.[ citation needed ]

Variants

Early 504 with 80 horsepower Gnome Lambda engine Aviation in Britain Before the First World War RAE-O572.jpg
Early 504 with 80 horsepower Gnome Lambda engine
Original model
Modified with smaller ailerons and broader struts. 80 hp (60 kW) Gnome engine.
Version for RNAS with larger fin. 80 hp (60 kW) Gnome or Le Rhône engine.
Single-seat anti-zeppelin aircraft for the RNAS. The 504C was fitted with an extra fuel tank, in place of the observer.
Single-seat anti-zeppelin aircraft for the Royal Flying Corps. Six built.
100 hp (75 kW) Gnome Monosoupape engine. Ten built.
75 hp (56 kW) Rolls-Royce Hawk engine. One built.
Two-seat weapons training variant of the Type 504B for the RNAS. The Avro 504G was intended as a bombing/gunnery trainer, with provision for a Scarff ring mounted on the upper longerons, though the final ten delivered had no provision for a gun. Fitted with one 80 hp Gnome powerplant. 50 built and delivered between June 1917 and January 1918. 30 built by Avro and 20 constructed by The Regent Carriage Company.
504C modified for catapult trials. 80 hp (60 kW) Gnome engine.
504A modified to mount a 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome engine.
This Avro 504K was the first aeroplane in Iceland, taken there in 1919 First aeroplane in Iceland.jpg
This Avro 504K was the first aeroplane in Iceland, taken there in 1919
Two-seat training aircraft. The 504K had a universal mount to take different engines. Single-seat fighter (Comic) conversion used for anti-zeppelin work. Several were assembled in Australia by Australian Aircraft & Engineering. [16] 130 hp (97 kW) Clerget 9B, 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome Monosoupape or 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhône 9J engines.
Qantas 504K Dyak (c. 1921) Avro Dyack used by QANTAS ca. 1921.jpg
Qantas 504K Dyak (c. 1921)
Hybrid trainer based on 504K fuselage with 504N undercarriage and wings and powered by rotary engine. Built under licence in Mexico as Avro Anahuac. [17]
Floatplane version. 150 hp (110 kW) Bentley BR1, 130 hp (97 kW) Clerget or 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhône engines.
504L floatplane (1920) Avro504L1920.jpg
504L floatplane (1920)
Three-seat cabin biplane. Only one was ever built. 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome engine.
Two-seat training aircraft. Redesigned postwar trainer for RAF with 160 hp (120 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engine. 598 built.
504N left side view Avro504n left.png
504N left side view
Floatplane version of 504N. First aircraft to fly above the Arctic Circle in 1923 Oxford Expedition.
Unbuilt version of the 504N with side-by-side seating. [18]
Three-seat cabin biplane. The 504Q was built for the Oxford University Arctic Expedition. Only one was ever built, powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engine.
Reworked trainer with revised, lightweight structure. Five prototypes flown 1926 to 1927 with various engines (100 hp/75 kW Gnome Monosoupape, 100 hp/75 kW) Avro Alpha, (140 hp/104 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major and (150 hp/110 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Mongoose), with the Mongoose chosen for production aircraft. Ten were sold to Argentina, with 100 more built by FMA under licence in Argentina. Twelve were exported to Estonia, remaining in service until 1940, and an unknown number to Peru. [19]
504R Gosport Avro 504R Gosport with Avro Alpha motor NACA Aircraft Circular No.49.jpg
504R Gosport
Two-seat training aircraft. Built under licence in Japan by Nakajima.
Observer training version of 504K for Japan.
Experimental version of 504N, with new wings of RAF 30 aerofoil section, Frise ailerons on the bottom mainplanes, wing struts reduced to a "K" arrangement and a simplified undercarriage. Converted back to 504N standard in 1928 for Bristol Titan engine test bed.
504R modified with 504N undercarriage and 90 hp (67 kW) Avro Alpha engine.
Two-seat trainer based on 504N for Australia, not built.
Redesigned version of Type 598, not built.
Japanese version of the Avro 504N, given the long designation Yokosuka Navy Type 3 Primary Trainer, powered by a 130 hp (97 kW) Mitsubishi-built Armstrong Siddeley Mongoose radial piston engine, 104 built.
Yokosuka K2Y (1938) Yokosuka K2Y 1938.jpg
Yokosuka K2Y (1938)
Improved version of the K2Y1, powered by a 160 hp (120 kW) Gasuden Jimpu 2 radial piston engine. 360 built (K2Y1 and K2Y2). [20] Watanabe built aircraft were given the long designation Watanabe Navy Type 3-2 Land-based Primary Trainer.
Russian copy of the 504K. Over 700 built. [21] [4]
Russian seaplane version.

Operators

Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium
Flag of Bolivia.svg Bolivia
Flag of Brazil.svg Brazil
Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg Canada
Flag of Chile.svg Chile
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  China
Flag of the Republic of China-Nanjing (Peace, Anti-Communism, National Construction).svg China-Nanjing
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark
Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia
Flag of Finland.svg Finland
Flag of Greece (1822-1978).svg Greece
Flag of Guatemala.svg Guatemala
British Raj Red Ensign.svg British India
Flag of Iran.svg Iran
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
Flag of Japan.svg Japan
Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia
Flag of the Federated Malay States (1895-1946).svg Federated Malay States
Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico
Flag of Mongolia.svg Mongolia
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
Flag of Norway.svg Norway
Flag of Peru.svg Peru
Flag of Poland.svg Poland
Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal
Flag of Russia.svg Russian Empire
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg South Africa
Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union
Flag of Spain (1785-1873, 1875-1931).svg Kingdom of Spain
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland
Flag of Thailand.svg Siam (Thailand)
Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg United States
Flag of Uruguay.svg Uruguay

Surviving aircraft and replicas

Australia
Qantas Avro 504K replica with Sunbeam engine displayed at Qantas Domestic Terminal Qantas Replica Mascot Airport.JPG
Qantas Avro 504K replica with Sunbeam engine displayed at Qantas Domestic Terminal
Replica Avro 504K on display at RAAF Museum. G-BYKV-E3747 (16432335898).jpg
Replica Avro 504K on display at RAAF Museum.
Canada
Finland
New Zealand
Norway
Russia
United Kingdom
United States

Specifications (Avro 504K)

Dimensioned drawing of Russian Avro 504K copy known as Avrushka (Little Avro) U-1/MU-1 (reverse engineered by Sergey Ilyushin c. 1923) Dux U-1 - MU-1 1923.svg
Dimensioned drawing of Russian Avro 504K copy known as Avrushka (Little Avro) U-1/MU-1 (reverse engineered by Sergey Ilyushin c. 1923)

Data fromThe Encyclopedia of World Aircraft, [61] and Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I [62]

General characteristics

Performance

87 mph (76 kn; 140 km/h) at 8,000 ft (2,400 m)
85 mph (74 kn; 137 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
71 mph (62 kn; 114 km/h) at 75% power at 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
  • 2 hours at sea level at maximum speed
  • 2 hours 8 minutes at 8,000 ft (2,400 m) at maximum speed
  • 3 hours at 10,000 ft (3,000 m) at maximum speed
  • 3 hours 42 minutes at 8,000 ft (2,400 m) at cruise speed
  • 4 hours 15 minutes at 10,000 ft (3,000 m) at cruise speed
  • 3,500 ft (1,100 m) in 5 minutes
  • 8,000 ft (2,400 m) in 10 minutes
  • 10,000 ft (3,000 m) in 16 minutes

Armament
1 fixed .303 Lewis atop upper wing (single-seat night fighter variants)

Notable appearances in media

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Footnotes

  1. The 504 is listed in several sources as having been used by the Argentine Air Force. This is because its predecessor, the Army Aviation Service, was established in 1912 and dissolved in 1945 when the Air Force was created.

Notes

  1. "Avro 504". britishaviation-ptp.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Holmes, 2005. p 23.
  3. "Avro 504 (Foreign Derivatives)". britishaviation-ptp.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 "Avro 504J & Avro 504K". BAE Systems | International. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  5. Jackson 1990, p.52.
  6. Flight 1954 p87
  7. Gregorie, Martin C. "The Avro 504K". Martin Gregorie's Home Page. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  8. "Peace Loan Aeroplane crashes in Gympie (1919) | State Library Of Queensland". www.slq.qld.gov.au. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  9. "Casualty Details:Vincent Waterfall". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  10. Jackson 1990, p.56.
  11. Mason 1994, p.21.
  12. Bruce 16 July 1954, p.87.
  13. Mason 1992, p.127.
  14. Bruce 9 July 1954, p.43.
  15. Lindqvist, Sven (2001). A history of bombing. New York: New Press. ISBN   1-56584-625-7. OCLC   44794868.
  16. 1 2 Wilson, Stewart (1994). Military Aircraft of Australia. Weston Creek, Australia: Aerospace Publications. p. 216. ISBN   1875671080.
  17. Jackson 1990, p.105.
  18. Jackson 1990, p.127.
  19. Jackson 1990, p. 129-133.
  20. Mikesh and Abe 1990, p. 276.
  21. Jackson 1990, p. 104.
  22. "DANISH AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURE" (PDF). ole-nikolajsen.com. Copenhagen. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  23. Magnusson 2007, p. 155
  24. Ay, Carlos (15 August 2013). "Catálogo Ilustrado de Aeronaves de la Fuerza Aérea Argentina". Gaceta Aeronautica (in Spanish).
  25. Jackson 1990, p.88.
  26. Jackson 1990, p.123.
  27. Jackson 1990, p.124.
  28. Morgała, Andrzej (1997). Samoloty wojskowe w Polsce 1918–1924 [Military aircraft in Poland 1918–1924] (in Polish). Warsaw: Lampart. p. 118. ISBN   83-86776-34-X.
  29. Garlicki, Jarosław (2001). Historia lotnictwa wojskowego Królestwa Tajlandii w latach 1912 – 1945. Część 2. "Militaria i Fakty". 1-2/2001, p. 34-35 (in Polish)
  30. World Air Forces – Historical Listings Thailand (THL), archived from the original on 25 January 2012, retrieved 30 August 2012
  31. "Avro 504K two-seat biplane elementary trainer : A3-4". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  32. "Qantas Founders Museum Aircraft Collection". Qantas Founders Museum. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  33. "Avro 504K E3747". RAAF Museum. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  34. "AVRO 504K (G-CYFG)". Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  35. 1 2 3 Hine, Colin (August 2013). "Canada Aviation and Space Museum Aircraft: Avro 504K RCAF Registrations: G-CYFG & G-CYCK" (PDF). Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  36. "AVRO 504K (G-CYCK)". Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 January 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  37. "KUVIA BREGUET-PROJEKTISTA". Suomen Ilmavoimamuseo (in Finnish). Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  38. "Avro 504K". Ilmailumuseot.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  39. "Aircraft ZK-ACU Data". Airport-Data.com. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  40. "Airframe Dossier – Avro 504K, c/r ZK-ACU". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  41. Prince, Ivan; Cowan, Brendan (6 December 2013). "RNZAF Avro 504K 201 to 206 & RAF Serials". NZDF Serials. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  42. "Avro 504". Norsk Luftfartsmuseum. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  43. "WWI – Aircraft". Military Aviation Museum. Military Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  44. "FAA REGISTRY [N504K]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  45. "AVRO 504K". Shuttleworth. Shuttleworth. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  46. "Airframe Dossier – Avro 504K, s/n BK892 RAF, c/n R3/LE/61400, c/r G-ADEV". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  47. "GINFO Search Results [G-ADEV]". Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  48. "Avro 504K biplane D7560 with 130hp Clerget engine, c 1917". Science Museum. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  49. "Avro 504K Plane". Science Museum. Retrieved 23 May 2017.[ permanent dead link ]
  50. "Airframe Dossier – Avro504, s/n H2311 RAF, c/n H2311, c/r G-ABAA". Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  51. "Avro 504K". Royal Air Force Museum. Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  52. Simpson, Andrew (2014). "INDIVIDUAL HISTORY [E449]" (PDF). Royal Air Force Museum. Royal Air Force Museum. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  53. "Avro 504K (replica)". Brooklands Museum. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  54. "Our Exhibits". Solent Sky. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  55. Von Reuter, Jennifer (22 September 2009). "Company Making Antique Airplanes". NBC29.com. Frankly Media. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  56. Gaertner, John, "Building The Avro 504... A 25 Year Dream", WW1 Aero
  57. McCullough, Patrick; Haggerty, Tim. "World War I (1914–1918)". Cole Palen's Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  58. "FAA REGISTRY [N4929]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  59. Air Progress: 20. September 1971.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  60. "Avro 504K". National Museum of the US Air Force. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  61. Donald, David (1997). The encyclopedia of world aircraft (Updated ed.). Ottawa: Prospero Books. p. 77. ISBN   9781856053754.
  62. John W.R. Taylor (1990). "forward". Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I. By Whittaker, W. E. De. B. New York, N.Y.: Military Press. pp. 50–51. ISBN   978-0517033760.

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