Wednesday 5 October 2016

Avro 504 E/F/G/H

We keep going with the Avro 504, this time with more versions.

Avro 504E: As the power of the Gnome engine was insufficient, the RNAS requested from Avro a version with a more powerful engine. Avro fitted a 100hp Gnome engine, which was obviously more powerful than the previous 80hp one plus some more modifications. The engine was fueled with a new vacuum system, and both cockpits had to be moved in order to install a bigger fuel tank. Modification which required the fuselage to be compensated due to the aeronautical offset, from 23 up to 60 centimeters. Due to the modification of the cockpits, the struts had to be reconfigured too.

Avro 504F: Following admiralty orders, Avro modified a 504C version in order to fit a 75hp Rolls-Royce Hawk engine, which was also used in the British airships of the era. Apparently it was very pleasant to fly and 30 airplanes were ordered but only one was manufactured. It seems that only one was on it's way to be refitted and when the order was cancelled, it got back it's regular 80hp Gnome engine. That's why the drawing shown below should be considered as speculative.

Avro 504G: Some 504Bs were modified by the RNAS in order to use them as gunnery/bombing trainers. It seems that a 0.303in Lewis Mk.II machine gun was to be fitted in a scarf ring at the rear cockpit, plus a single second one at the front to fire through the propeller. Apparently it was never completed as the machine guns were never fitted, however some sources lead to the possibility that they were used as night fighters in the Home Defence.

Avro 504H: A single 504C was modified by the pioneer of the naval aviation Squadron Commander E.H. Dunning in order to perform catapult launching trials. In order to perform such achievement, some gear needed to be installed which was designed by R.F. Carey and manufactured by Waygood-Otis. It was reinforced, equipped with catapult launching gear and a special padded seat for the pilot replaced the original one. Dunning died on 7th August 1917 trying to land a Sopwith Pup on the HMS Furious. He was replaced by Flight Commander R.E. Penny who performs the catapult trials without any difficulty or setback at all.










Sources:
1. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_504 (translated)
2. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of Fighters
3. http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/planes/SunbeamAircraft.htm
4. http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?/topic/200605-avro-504g/

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