Avro: The History of an Aircraft Company

The story of A. V. Roe & Company Limited (Avro) started within a short time of man's conquest of the air when very few believed in the potential of the flying machine.
It was in 1906 when Alliott Verdon Roe patented a design for a mechanically driven aeroplane and his biplane was the first heavier-than-air machine to leave the ground in Britain. Although his excursions were only classed as 'hops', Roe continued with his quest to fly and made enormous strides in the science of aviation before going on to form the company which bore his name in 1910.
The Avro name remained in the forefront of aeronautical progress until it disappeared in 1963 after being absorbed into Hawker Siddeley Aviation. Over 35,000 aeroplanes were produced bearing the name Avro and the fine reputation of the company was renowned throughout the world.
Avro designed the 504 in 1913. This became the standard trainer for the Royal Air Force during the First World War and remained in production until 1930.
In the years which followed the War, Avro built a variety of aircraft for both civilian and military use with many of their machines establishing long-distance and speed records. A successful aeroplane which would take over the training role from the 504 was the Avro Tutor. In 1935 the company introduced the Avro Anson which went on to be one of the most dependable aeroplanes ever built.
During the Second World War the company produced the Lancaster and after the War produced a number of civil airliners. However, it was in the military field that the company was supreme with the design and manufacture of the mighty Vulcan and the Avro Shackleton. The last aeroplane to bear the company name was the Avro 748 which first flew in 1960.
From small beginnings A. V. Roe & Company Limited became one of the world's largest and most respected aircraft manufacturers. This is the story.


by Harry Holmes
Published by Airlife 1994 1st edition. 196pp profusely illustrated. 21x26 very good, d/j good.






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"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.

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