Flight, July 1928

AVRO "BUFFALO”
One Napier "Lion XI" Engine

   THE "Buffalo," designed and constructed by A. V. Roe and Co., Ltd. of Manchester and Southampton, is a two-seater torpedo carrying and bombing aircraft, fitted with a Napier "Lion" Series XI engine. This aircraft is specially designed for operation from an aircraft carrier, and its overall dimensions, both with wings spread and folded, are suitable for this class of work. The controllability is particularly good and the fuselage decking and nose shape is so formed as to give the best view to the pilot both for deck landing and torpedo sighting. A bombing station is provided in the floor of the fuselage so that the observer can lie in a prone position and sight through a large sliding window in the bottom of the fuselage. W/T apparatus, camera, etc., are carried.
   Fuselage. - The fuselage is of tubular steel construction, with pin joints and swaged steel tie rods for bracing. The construction is very simple and easy to repair. The decking is formed of duralumin sheet and the remainder of the fuselage is fabric covered.
   Wings. - The wings have an aerofoil section designed for minimum C.P. movement and a high maximum lift coefficient. They are constructed on "I" sectioned spruce spars, with Warren girder ribs and tubular steel drag struts. Balanced ailerons are fitted to both top and bottom planes and Handley Page slot's of the control type are arranged to work in conjunction with the ailerons. The wings are covered with linen fabric, sewn on and doped in the standard manner. The wings have a slight dihedral and considerable sweepback. Wings of steel construction can be supplied if required.
   Tail. - The tail unit is of tubular steel construction throughout, with fabric covering. Both the elevators and rudder are balanced and the tail plane incidence is adjustable from the pilot's seat.
   Engine Installation. - The Napier "Lion" Series XI engine is mounted on a built up steel engine mounting, and is carefully cowled. The radiator is of the retractable type and projects below the fuselage when in the above position. Both the main petrol tank and the gravity tank are carried inside the fuselage and all fuel and oil piping joints are made with metallic couplings.
   Undercarriage. - The undercarriage is of the split axle type, so as to allow a free drop for the torpedo and bombs. Long travel "Oleo" shock absorbers are incorporated and compression rubbers are employed for the taxi-ing springs. The undercarriage is specially designed for deck landing. The tail skid is of robust construction with the compression rubber springing and manganese steel wearing shoe.