Avro 571 Buffalo

Avro

Company type	Private
Industry	Aerospace, Defence
Founded	1910 in United Kingdom
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Aircraft

The Avro 571 Buffalo was a British carrier-based torpedo bomber biplane developed as a prototype by Avro during the 1920s. It ultimately lost out to the Blackburn Ripon and was not adopted for operational use.

Design and development

Developed by Avro as a private project, the Avro 571 Buffalo aimed to satisfy Air Ministry Specification 21/23, which called for a two-seat torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft to succeed the Blackburn Dart. The initial prototype, registered G-EBNW, conducted its maiden flight at Avro’s Hamble facility in 1926. During evaluation trials, it competed against the Blackburn Ripon and the Handley Page Harrow, but was ultimately rejected due to unsatisfactory handling characteristics.

Following this, the prototype underwent significant modification and emerged as the Avro 572 Buffalo II. This iteration featured newly designed all-metal wings equipped with adjustable Handley Page leading-edge slats and was powered by an upgraded engine. Although these enhancements markedly improved performance, the decision to select the Ripon had already been finalized.

Operational history

After being passed over for production orders, the Buffalo was converted into a seaplane in 1928 for testing purposes under the Air Ministry. Assigned serial number N239, it served at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment located in Felixstowe for evaluation trials.

Variants

Avro 571 Buffalo I

Initial prototype fitted with a 450 hp (340 kW) Napier Lion Va engine.

Avro 572 Buffalo II

Modified version of the Buffalo I featuring new wings and powered by a 530 hp (400 kW) Lion XIA engine.

Operators

Template:UK

• Air Ministry

References

Bibliography

• Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 2nd edition, 1990.
• Mason, Francis K. The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1994.