Avro 504A

The Avro 504A was the second version of the aircraft built for the RFC and was a stronger version of the original Avro 504.

Avro 504A before Friedrichshafen Raid

The Avro 504 was a twin bay biplane that had made its maiden flight during 1913. It had a simple fuselage built around four ash longerons with a fabric cover and a rectangular cross section. The Air Ministry ordered twelve in 1913, and another 44 in 1914. Some of these were taken over by the RNAS and used in a famous raid on the Zeppelin sheds at Friedrichshafen on 21 November 1914, but it was mainly used as a training aircraft.

The 504A was of stronger construction than the original aircraft. It had wide chord interplane struts, while the ailerons were reduced in span. Sometimes the fabric cover was removed from the lower wing roots to improve the view down.

Aircraft 2905, from the first order for the 504A, was used for fabric tests at Farnborough.

B3103, from one of the later batches, was given an improved undercarriage with rear shock legs and front radius rods and was used by the Central Flying School’s Communications Flight at Lopscombe Corner, Salisbury in 1918.

Blueprint of Avro 504A

The Avro 504A was produced in large numbers, with production split between A.V. Roe, Saunders, Bleroit & Spad, Humber, Parnell and Eastbourne. Two of the later orders were cancelled, while some aircraft from later orders were completed as the Avro 504J and some from the final three orders as the Avro 504K.

Engine: Gnome or Le Rhone or A.B.C.
Power: 80hp or 80hp or 80hp
Crew: 2
Span: 36ft 0in
Length: 29ft 5in
Height: 10ft 5in
Tare weight: 1,050lb
All-up weight: 1,700lb
Max speed: 86mph
Climb Rate: 7min to 3,500ft
Service ceiling: 4.5 hours

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