Avro 548

The Avro 548 was a single-engined biplane of the British aircraft manufacturer Avro.

History and construction

In 1918 the development of the line engine was so far advanced that the rotary engine so far mainly used could be replaced in the aircraft series production. So also put Alliott Verdon Roe in developing a civilian variant of the Avro 504 on this engine concept.

The first trials began in October 1919 on the premises in Hamble with the Avro 545, a rebuilt 504 with a 90 hp (about 67 kW/91 hp) Curtiss OX -5 engine, a water-cooled V8 engine with at each side of the cockpit mounted coolers. However, this configuration has proved to be impractical for home market, on the one hand because of the heavy engine and on the other hand due to the complicated installation of the cooling system. Thus, the engine choice ultimately fell on a 80 hp ( 60 kW/81 hp) air-cooled Renault engine, who was on a four-bladed propeller. The so -equipped machine was designated Avro 548 and launched in late 1919 to the first flight.

The aircraft had three separate cockpits and was initially equipped in this version with a double control, which was expanded again for the transport of two passengers. The suspension was identical to that of 504, so had the characteristic of the skid 504. The aircraft was unveiled to the public under the name "Avro Tourist" in July 1920 at the Olympia Aero Show in London.

A third machine was built and deployed for demonstration and advertising flights in Hendon. However, the poor economic situation destroyed the hopes Avro in terms of commercial success of this aircraft, and so a trainer version of the 448 was a continuation of the project Avro 553 apart.

So first of only three other Avro 548 were produced, now with a pilot cockpit and a double cockpit for two passengers. A copy was sold to Uruguay. Another machine, a former 504K was measured with a 170 hp ( 127 kW/172 hp approx ) payable ABC Wasp -I engine equipped. This specimen was sold to the Welsh Aviation Company and won for its new owner on September 17, 1921 all three races of the Croydon meeting. This machine was later under different owners great success in racing and flight events show, however, crashed during an exhibition flight on 31 May 1935.

Avro produced after only three other 448 in 1924.

However, were made by other aircraft manufacturers several versions of existing Avro 504 to version 548 under license, including Canada and a copy in Australia. Because each manufacturer their products furnished them according to their own conceptions, the individual models differed in details. Some machines also served as a testbed for different engine configurations.

The most powerful version was 548A. The company Aircraft Disposal Co. paid in 1925 an Avro 504K - cell with an approximately 89 kW (122 hp) engine, the Airdisco engine. This machine had outstanding flying characteristics.

Military use

• Força Aérea Portuguesa

Specifications