The Avro 508 was a prototype British reconnaissance aircraft of the 1910s.

Avro 508
Role Reconnaissance
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd.
First flight April 1915
Number built 1

Development

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The Avro 508 was built at Avro's Manchester works in December 1913 and assembled at Brooklands in January 1914.[1] First exhibited in Manchester in January 1914, the 508 was a wooden fabric-covered pusher biplane of unusual shape, resembling a back-to-front Avro 504. Its top and bottom three-bay wings were equal in length, made of fabric-covered wood.

Operational history

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It was completed by March 1914, and shown at the Olympia Aero Show in London,[2] however its first flight was at the start of official testing in April 1915 at Brooklands.[citation needed] The Royal Flying Corps showed no interest in the sole prototype and therefore the aircraft remained a training aircraft and engine tester at Hendon Aerodrome until it was dismantled in April 1916.[citation needed]

Specifications

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Data from Avro Aircraft since 1908[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m)
  • Wingspan: 44 ft 0 in (13.41 m)
  • Height: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
  • Wing area: 468 sq ft (43.5 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,000 lb (454 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,680 lb (762 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Gnome Monosoupape 7 Type A , 80 hp (60 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 65 mph (105 km/h, 56 kn)
  • Endurance: 412 hr

References

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  1. ^ Jackson 1990, p.134.
  2. ^ a b Jackson 1990, p.135.
  • "The Olympia Exhibition: The Exhibits: Avro (A.V. Roe & Co.)". Flight, 21 March 1914. pp. 295–297.
  • Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London:Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-834-8.