Flight, June 1929

BRITISH AIRCRAFT AT OLYMPIA

A. V. ROE & CO., LTD.

   OWING to the fact that the material dealing with the exhibits of A. V. Roe & Co. reached us very late, it has not been possible to include the article describing the Avro show machines in its proper place, alphabetically, and we have, perforce, had to place it here, at the end of our advance show report. While regretting the fact, we had no choice in the matter, as it was necessary to go to press with this week's issue of FLIGHT a good deal earlier than usual, and the makeup of the Olympia Show Report could not be deferred until the last minute.
   At least four complete aircraft are expected to be shown on the Avro stand; An Avro 10, an Avro 5, an "Antelope," and a metal "Avian" with "Genet Major" engine. This engine is an entirely new type, produced by Armstrong Siddeley Motors, Ltd., and will make its public appearance for the first time at Olympia,

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   In effect a smaller edition of the Avro 10, the Avro 5 is a small saloon monoplane with accommodation for pilot and four passengers, with room for an occasional fifth passenger when desired. The power plant consists of three Armstrong Siddeley "Genet Major" engines, a new type of engine which will be seen for the first time at Olympia. The construction of the Avro 5 is exactly similar to that of the Avro 10, with welded steel tube fuselage and all-wood monoplane cantilever wing, built in one piece.
   The pilot is situated in a completely enclosed compartment forward of the leading edge of the wing. From this position he has an excellent view in all important directions. The saloon is very comfortably equipped, with a single seat providing ample room for two passengers fixed across the rear end of the saloon, while two armchairs, adjustable for position, are provided for the other two passengers. All passengers face forward. Adequate ventilation, heating and lighting of the saloon is provided. The dimensions of the saloon are: Length, 7 ft. 6 in.; width, 3 ft. 3 in.; height, 4 ft. 6 in. Two baggage compartments are provided, a smaller forward under the pilot's cockpit and a large aft of the saloon. The total capacity of the two compartments is approximately 46 cub. ft.
   The overall dimensions of the Avro 5 are: Length, 35 ft. 9 in.; wing span, 47 ft.; height, 9 ft. 6 in.; maximum wing chord, 8 ft. 9 in.; wing area, 333 sq. ft.; wheel track, 11 ft. 3 in. (Dunlop wheels with brakes).
   With a tare weight of 2,790 lbs. and a gross weight of 4,420 lbs., the non-paying load of the Avro 5 may be as follows: pilot, 180 lbs.; fuel, 455 lbs.; oil, 60 lbs.; lighting equipment, 75 lbs. Total 770 lbs. This leaves a pay load for 4 passengers and luggage of 860 lbs.
   The performance of the Avro 5 is as follows: Full speed, 118 m.p.h.; cruising speed, 95-105 m.p.h.; range at cruising speed approximately 400 miles. Rate of climb at ground level, 750 ft./min.; time to 1,000 ft., 1-5 min.; time to 5,000 ft., 8-1 mins.; time to 10,000 ft., 22 mins. Service ceiling, 13,000 ft. Absolute ceiling, 15,000 ft.
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Flight, April 1930

AIRCRAFT FOR THE PRIVATE OWNER

AVRO V

   THE Avro V is the outcome of the purchase of the Fokker rights by A. V. Roe and Co., who, when they decided to enter the commercial market in a large way took the line that it would be far better for them to manufacture a well-known and tried type than to attempt to create a new market for a machine of their own designing.
   Actually the Avro V is not a Fokker type, but it is designed by A. V. Roe's on the same principles as the other larger Fokker machines which they are also turning out. It is in effect a small edition of the Avro X, which in the country of its origin is the Fokker F VII 3 m. The front cockpit has accommodation for one pilot only, and the cabin behind him carries four passengers.
   The pilot's cockpit is, of course, in front of the leading edge of the main plane, and his seat is high, so that his view in all directions is very good indeed, in spite of the fact that he is completely closed in.
   The passengers have separate small chairs, and the cabin has large windows down the sides, so that all passengers can see out very well. There is also adequate provision for heating and lighting.
   Luggage accommodation is large. There are two compartments, a small one for heavy trunks, etc., under the pilot's cockpit, and a large one for lighter packages directly behind the passengers' cabin, both having access doors from the outside of the fuselage.
   Between the cabin and the luggage compartment is a well-fitted lavatory.
   Constructionally the Avro V follows Fokker practice. The fuselage is built from steel tubes, and is a welded structure, while the bracing is either the Fokker double wire bracing through small loops at the angles of the struts and the longerons or else diagonal struts according to the situation in the fuselage.
   The main plane is a one-piece wing with boxed ply-wood spars, ply and spruce ribs and ply-wood covering.
   The undercarriage has an exceptionally wide track, and consists of a radius rod and bent axle to the bottom longerons on each side, and a telescopic leg which goes vertically upwards to the outer engine mountings. Wheel brakes are fitted.