Avro Antelope
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| Antelope | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light Bomber |
| Manufacturer | Avro |
| Maiden flight | July 1928 |
| Retired | September 1933 |
| Status | Prototype |
| Number built | 1 |
The Avro 604 Antelope was a British light bomber which was designed and built in the late 1920's to meet a requirement for a light bomber to equip the Royal Air Force, competing against the Hawker Hart and the Fairey Fox II. It was unsuccessful, the Hart being preferred.
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[edit] Design and development
The Avro 604 Antelope was designed to meet the requirements of Air Ministry Specification 12/26, for a single engined light, high speed, day bomber [1]. One prototype was ordered by the Air Ministry, which first flew in July 1928 [2], powered by a 480 hp Rolls-Royce F.XIB (later known as the Kestrel) engine.
The prototype Antelope, which was a single bay biplane with all metal construction, was evaluated at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A & AEE) at Martlesham Heath against the Hawker Hart and Fairey Fox II. While it easily met the performance requirements of the specification, it showed poor low speed handling and spinning characteristics, and was rejected in favour of the Hart owing to the ease of maintenance of the Hart [2].
[edit] Operational history
After rejection for operational service, the prototype Antelope was fitted with dual controls and used by the Royal Aircraft Establishment as an engine and propeller test bed, remaining in use until September 1933 [1].
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (Antelope)
Data from Avro Aircraft since 1908 [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 31 ft 2 in (9.50 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.98 m)
- Height: 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m)
- Wing area: 377 ft² (35.0 m²)
- Empty weight: 2,859 lb (1,300 kg)
- Loaded weight: 4,538 lb (2,063 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Rolls-Royce F.XI.B V-12 water cooled piston, 480 hp (358 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 150 knots (173 mph, 279 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 126 knots (145 mph, 233 km/h)
- Range: 504 nm (580 mi, 934 km)
- Service ceiling 22,000 ft (6,700 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,470 ft/min (7.5 m/s)
- Wing loading: 12.0 lb/ft² (58.9 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.106 hp/lb (0.174 kW/kg)
Armament
- One synchronised forward firing .303 in Vickers gun
- One Lewis gun in rear cockpit
- Up to two 250 lb bombs
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Jackson, A J (1990). Avro Aircraft since 1908, 2nd edition, London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-85177-834-8.
- ^ a b Mason, Francis K (1994). The British Bomber since 1914. Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0 85177 861 5.
[edit] External links
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