Avro 539

The Avro 539 was a single-engine, single-seat biplane racing aircraft of the British manufacturer Avro. It was built to take part in the Schneider Trophy in 1919.

History

The double floats equipped, einstielige biplane, powered by a 240 hp ( 243.33 hp) Siddeley Puma engine, launched on August 29, 1919 first flight. After the first test flights revealed a need for changes in the tail, after these modifications, the aircraft received the designation 539A.

On September 19, 1919, the Schneider Trophy to be held in Bournemouth; the 539A was intended as a backup machine in the British team. The event had to be canceled but due to fog, and so on this occasion we were unable to demonstrate the potential of the small aircraft.

So it was decided to use on July 24, 1920 at Avro, the machine at the Aerial Derby at Hendon. In the requisite conversion to a land airplane next to the chassis assembly and the vertical tail were modified and incorporated a streamlined headrest.

During the race were problems with the fuel supply, an emergency landing was the result. This was followed by a renewed conversion of the machine, which then was called Avro 539B. It was a 450 hp ( 456.24 hp ) Napier Lion engine with a 10 ft (3.05 m ) propeller installed, was accompanied by a change in the cooling system.

Although the Napier engine had nearly double the performance of the previously installed unit, but also brought double the weight of the Siddeley engine on the scale. For now necessary shift in focus, the aircraft nose was shortened, was also a reinforcement of the fuselage with plywood and the installation of a stronger landing gear with rubber shock absorption.

Thus equipped figured you look at Avro success at Aerial Derby in 1921. On July 13, 1921, three days before the race, launched the 539B for a first test flight. That was also the last flight of these hapless machine; on landing the pilot sat the machine late on and got in the rolling at high speed in the runway ahead railroad tracks. The single ever made Avro 539 was completely destroyed.

Specifications

2.59 m (Version with Napier Lion engine)

A Napier Lion engine with an output of 456.24 PS ( 335.6 kW) ( 539B )