Avro 558

Avro

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1910 (1910)
Headquarters	Hamble , United Kingdom

The Avro 558 was a British ultralight biplane featuring a single engine, constructed by Avro at Hamble Aerodrome.

Design and development

Created specifically for the 1923 light aircraft trials held at Lympne Aerodrome for single-seat aircraft, the Avro 558 consisted of two biplane models. Both were powered by motorcycle engines; one utilized a B&H twin-cylinder air-cooled powerplant, while the other was fitted with a 500 cc Douglas engine. The first unit was later upgraded with a 698 cc (42.6 in³) Blackburne Tomtit engine, and both aircraft underwent landing gear modifications.

Operational history

Although neither aircraft secured victory in the competition, the second Avro 558 set a world altitude record for its category by reaching 13,850 ft (4,222 m) above Lympne on 13 October 1923. The subsequent fate of both planes remains undocumented following that year.

Operators

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References

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). Orbis Publishing.
• "The Light 'Plane Competitions at Lympne, Oct 8–13: Twenty-Eight Machines Entered". Flight. Vol. XV, no. 771. 4 October 1923. pp. 602–611.
• Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.
• Jackson, A.J. (1990). Avro Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-85177-834-8.
• Riding, Richard (July 1984). "British pre-war ultra-lights: No. 40: Avro 558". Aeroplane Monthly. Vol. 12, no. 7. pp. 386–388. ISSN 0143-7240.

External links

• Avro 558 – British Aircraft Directory