OVERVIEW
The Avro Type 504 biplane became of the most remarkable airplane designs to come out of the fighting of World War 1.
The Avro Type 504 biplane became of the most remarkable airplane designs to come out of the fighting of World War 1.
YEAR: 1913
MANUFACTURER(S): Avro (A.V. Roe) - UK
PRODUCTION: 8,970
OPERATORS: Argentina; Australia; Belgium; Bolivia; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; Greece; Guatemala; India; Iran; Ireland; Japan; Latvia; Malay; Mexico; Mongolia; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Peru; Poland; Portugal; Imperial Russia; South Africa; Soviet Union; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Taiwan; Thailand (Siam); Turkey; United Kingdom; United States; Uruguay
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Avro Type 504K model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Avro Type 504K model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 2
LENGTH: 29.36 feet (8.95 meters)
WIDTH: 35.93 feet (10.95 meters)
HEIGHT: 10.50 feet (3.2 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 1,235 pounds (560 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 1,830 pounds (830 kilograms)
ENGINE: 1 x Le Rhone 9J air-cooled rotary engine developing 110 horsepower.
SPEED (MAX): 90 miles-per-hour (145 kilometers-per-hour; 78 knots)
RANGE: 249 miles (400 kilometers; 216 nautical miles)
CEILING: 15,994 feet (4,875 meters; 3.03 miles)
RATE-OF-CLIMB: 700 feet-per-minute (213 meters-per-minute)
ARMAMENT
STANDARD:
1 x 7.62mm Lewis machine gun in a forward flexible mount.
STANDARD:
1 x 7.62mm Lewis machine gun in a forward flexible mount.
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• Type 504 - Initial Production Model developed from the Type 500 basic trainer; powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 80hp.
• Type 504A - Featured smaller ailerons; powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 80hp.
• Type 504B - Featured larger dorsal fin; powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 80hp.
• Type 504C - "Anti-Zeppelin" single seat fighter; powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 80hp.
• Type 504D - Powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 80hp.
• Type 504E - Re-engineered wings; powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 100hp.
• Type 504J - Powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 100hp.
• Type 504K - Standard RAF Two-Seat Trainer Model; universal engine mounting (inline, radial or rotary types).
• Type 504L - Floatplane Derivative
• Type 504M - Cabin Transport Aircraft
• Type 504N - Post-War Conversion Models featuring subtle modifications and redesigns to structure and landing systems; fitted with Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV radial engines.
Series Model Variants
• Type 504 - Initial Production Model developed from the Type 500 basic trainer; powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 80hp.
• Type 504A - Featured smaller ailerons; powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 80hp.
• Type 504B - Featured larger dorsal fin; powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 80hp.
• Type 504C - "Anti-Zeppelin" single seat fighter; powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 80hp.
• Type 504D - Powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 80hp.
• Type 504E - Re-engineered wings; powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 100hp.
• Type 504J - Powered by a Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine generating 100hp.
• Type 504K - Standard RAF Two-Seat Trainer Model; universal engine mounting (inline, radial or rotary types).
• Type 504L - Floatplane Derivative
• Type 504M - Cabin Transport Aircraft
• Type 504N - Post-War Conversion Models featuring subtle modifications and redesigns to structure and landing systems; fitted with Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IV radial engines.
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Avro 504 Biplane Reconnaissance / Biplane Trainer Aircraft. Entry last updated on 6/7/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Avro 504 Biplane Reconnaissance / Biplane Trainer Aircraft. Entry last updated on 6/7/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Without knowing it from the outset, the Avro Type 504 series of aircraft would become one of the most produced and influential biplane designs for the United Kingdom, being fielded from 1913 all the way through the early 1930s. The design originally started as an armed reconnaissance biplane but quickly was relegated to the training role with the advent of new and better performing fighter aircraft. This new role would help the Avro 504 to shine in Royal forces service for decades to come.
The Avro Type 504, at its core, was a single engine biplane design. Depending on the model series, crew accommodations amounted to one or two personnel. Armament was usually a forward flexible-mounted Lewis machine gun of 7.62mm caliber. Additional stores in the way of bombs could be affixed to underwing portions of the aircraft. Early models also contained a landing skid in addition to the fixed landing gears, though this skid would be removed in subsequent models.
The legacy of the Type 504 would begin as a further design of the Avro Type 500 basic trainer. With an order placed by the Royal Navy and Royal Army of Britain, the Type 504 was in service by 1913 with its Gnome Rotary engine generating a perceived 80hp which amounted to more like 60hp in practice. Early combat experience saw the Type 504 conduct limited strikes against ground targets with the more-than-occasional Zeppelin-busting sortie to boot. Though a success in these roles, the advancing technology of wartime research forces the Type 504 into training duties by 1914.
The Avro Type 504, at its core, was a single engine biplane design. Depending on the model series, crew accommodations amounted to one or two personnel. Armament was usually a forward flexible-mounted Lewis machine gun of 7.62mm caliber. Additional stores in the way of bombs could be affixed to underwing portions of the aircraft. Early models also contained a landing skid in addition to the fixed landing gears, though this skid would be removed in subsequent models.
The legacy of the Type 504 would begin as a further design of the Avro Type 500 basic trainer. With an order placed by the Royal Navy and Royal Army of Britain, the Type 504 was in service by 1913 with its Gnome Rotary engine generating a perceived 80hp which amounted to more like 60hp in practice. Early combat experience saw the Type 504 conduct limited strikes against ground targets with the more-than-occasional Zeppelin-busting sortie to boot. Though a success in these roles, the advancing technology of wartime research forces the Type 504 into training duties by 1914.
Avro 504 (Cont'd)
Biplane Reconnaissance / Biplane Trainer Aircraft
The Type 504 proved to be a versatile performer as proven by the myriad of variants produced featuring minor structural revisions, new designations for specialized roles and a plethora of engine fittings. The Type 504K model represented the two-seat version whilst the 504C amounted to a specialized anti-Zeppelin mount. Float pontoons would go on to produce the Type 504L floatplane while the Type 504M was relegated to transport duties. By the end of the war, the system was still seeing production and would see nearly 600 more added to the 10,000 plus total between the years of 1925 and 1932. These would be designated as the Type 504N models and be new production or converted models of existing Type 504s. Type 504s would eventually be superceded by the Avro Tutor aircraft series.
In the end, the remarkable Type 504 series would become one of the most endearing aircraft of its generation. Many a military pilot would owing his wings to having trained on the platform and many more civilian pilots would as well. The Type 504 would become a mainstay of the famous "barnstorming" touring groups as well as becoming a prized collector piece to the avid flyer.
In the end, the remarkable Type 504 series would become one of the most endearing aircraft of its generation. Many a military pilot would owing his wings to having trained on the platform and many more civilian pilots would as well. The Type 504 would become a mainstay of the famous "barnstorming" touring groups as well as becoming a prized collector piece to the avid flyer.
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Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 100mph
Lo: 50mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (90mph).
Graph average of 75 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
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LDN
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BER
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NYC
Graph showcases the Avro Type 504K's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
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Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
8970
8970
Altitude Visualization
