Avro Mailplane
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Type 627 Mailplane | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light transport |
| Manufacturer | Avro |
| Maiden flight | 1931 |
| Status | Prototype |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Avro Antelope |
The Avro 627 Mailplane was a British biplane developed in 1931 by Avro from the Avro Antelope bomber as a mail plane for use in Canada. Only one was built which ended up being used as a test bed.
Contents |
[edit] Development
The Avro 608 Hawk was a proposed two seater fighter variant of the Avro Antelope, which was planned to be powered by a Bristol Jupiter radial engine. Although construction of a prototype prototype began, it was incomplete when it was redesigned with a 540 hp Armstrong Siddeley Panther engine as the Avro 622[1].
Following interest by Canadian Airways, who had a possible requirement for a mail plane, Roy Chadwick again redesigned the incomplete prototype to the Avro 627 Mailplane . This was a single engined, single bay biplane, powered by a 525 hp Panther engine and fitted for wheel or float operation. The sole prototype (G-ABJM) was certificated on 2 August 1931[1], and was shipped to Canada for operational trials. While these trials were successful, the Canadian government cut the subsidy for civil aviation and so Canadian Airways was unable to afford new aircraft, so the mailplane was returned to England [1].
The Mailplane was converted in 1933 to a high speed test bed for the Armstrong Siddeley Tiger engine, the revised aircraft being known as the Avro 654 [1].
[edit] Operational history
On return from Canada, the Mailplane was entered in the 1932 King's Cup Race, where it recorded the fastest speed of 176 mph [2], although owing to the handicap system, it came 29th [1].
After conversion to the Avro 654, the aircraft operational life was short, it being dismanted at Woodford Aerodrome in 1934 [2].
[edit] Variants
- Avro 608 Hawk
- Proposed two seat fighter, powered by 425 hp Bristol Jupiter engine. Prototype incomplete.
- Avro 622
- Redesigned Avro 608, powered by 540 hp Armstrong Siddeley Panther II engine. Incomplete prototype converted to Avro 627.
- Avro 627 Mailplane
- Single seat mailplane, powered by 525 hp Armstrong Siddeley Panther IIA engine. One prototype built.
- Avro 654
- Conversion of Avro 627 as high speed test bed.
[edit] Specifications (Avro 627 Mailplane)
Data from Avro Aircraft since 1908 [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Capacity: 40 ft³ mail compartment
- Length: 30 ft 10 in (9.40 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.98 m)
- Height: 10 ft 10 in (3.30 m)
- Wing area: 381 ft² (35.4 m²)
- Empty weight: 3,077 lb (1,399 kg)
- Loaded weight: 5,150 lb (2,341 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Armstrong Siddeley Panther IIA 14 cylinder two row radial engine, 525 hp (392 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 148 knots (170 mph, 274 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 128 knots (147 mph, 237 km/h)
- Range: 487 nm (560 mi, 902 km)
- Service ceiling 19,000 ft (5,800 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.1 m/s)
- Wing loading: 13.5 lb/ft² (66.1 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.102 hp/lb (0.167 kW/kg)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f Jackson, A J (1990). Avro Aircraft since 1908, 2nd edition, London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-85177-834-8.
- ^ a b Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 10006 9.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
Related development Avro Antelope
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
