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The Avro 504D was a single seat anti-Zeppelin aircraft built for the RFC in very small numbers.
At the time it was ordered the RFC’s main variant was the Avro 504A, a stronger version of the original Avro 504, with shorter span ailerons. The RNAS originally ordered the two seat 504B, but this lacked the range for maritime patrol duties. As a result they ordered the single seat Avro 504C, which replaced the forward cockpit with an extra fuel tank and was armed with an upwards firing Lewis gun.
The 504D combined features from the RFC’s 504A and the RNAS’s 504C. From the 504A it took the balanced comma-type rudder and short span ailerons. From the 504C it took the recessed longerons and the extra fuel tank in place of the front cockpit. Five serial numbers were allocated to the type, but it may not have been built. If it was built, the five aircraft (serial numbers 794 to 799) were built by A.V.Roe.
Some sources record a single Avro 504D serving with No.33 Squadron, one with No.24 Squadron and one with a RFC training squadron. The first two squadrons had home defence duties.
Engine: Gnome
Power: 80hp
Crew: 1
Span: 36ft 0in
Length: 29ft 5in
Height: 10ft 5in
Endurance: 8 hours
Armament: Upward firing Lewis gun