Avro Bison
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bison | |
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| Type | Fleet Spotter/Reconnaissance |
| Manufacturer | Avro |
| Maiden flight | 1921 |
| Introduced | 1922 |
| Retired | 1929 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | Fleet Air Arm Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 55 |
The Avro 555 Bison was a British single-engined fleet spotter/reconnaissance aircraft built by Avro.
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[edit] History
The Bison was designed to meet the British Air Ministry Specification 3/21 for a carrier based fleet spotter and reconnaissance aircraft. The first Bison I prototype flew in 1921, the second and third prototypes were of a modified design (mainly moving the upper wing higher). A production batch of 12 aircraft, based on the second prototype were built as the Bison IA. There followed more orders which were built as the Bison II. An early Bison was fitted with floats and retractable wheels but tests proved the design was not suitable for seaborne use.
Although designed for a naval requirement the first deliveries were to the Royal Air Force in 1922 to replace the Westland Walrus for coastal reconnaissance work. Naval aircraft served on HMS Eagle and HMS Furious and on-shore at Gosport, England and Hal Far, Malta. The aircraft were retired in 1929 when they were replaced by the Fairey IIIF.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (Bison IA)
General characteristics
- Crew: 4
- Length: 36 ft (10.97 m)
- Wingspan: 46 ft (14.02 m)
- Height: 13 ft 10 in (4.22 m)
- Wing area: 620 ft² (57.60 m²)
- Empty weight: 4,160 lb (1,887 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 5,800 lb (2,631 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Napier Lion II, 450 hp (336 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 110 mph (177 km/h)
- Range: 340 mi (547 km)
- Service ceiling 14,000 ft (4,265 m)
Armament
[edit] See also
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
[edit] External links
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