Avro Type G
| Industry | Aircraft manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1910 in England |
| Founder | A.V. Roe |
| Products | Aircraft |
The Avro Type G was a biplane with two seats, developed by A.V. Roe specifically for the 1912 British Military Aeroplane Competition. It is distinguished by its fully enclosed cockpit and is recognized as the first aircraft to recover from a spin under observation.[1]
Design and development
The Avro Type G featured a two-seat, two-bay biplane configuration, incorporating a fully enclosed crew cabin. Its fuselage extended completely between the upper and lower wings, which were designed with Roe’s signature high aspect ratio. Two units were initially planned: one powered by a Green engine and the other intended to use an ABC engine. The second prototype was never completed due to the delayed delivery of the ABC engine.
In the course of the military trials, the Type G performed exceptionally well in assembly tests, achieving reassembly in just 14½ minutes, and demonstrated efficient fuel consumption. Although its limited climb rate prevented it from securing a top prize, Avro received £100 for its efforts. Subsequently, on 24 October at Brooklands, pilot F. P. Raynham set a British endurance record of 7 hours and 31 minutes in this aircraft; this record was surpassed merely an hour later by Harry Hawker.
This model was the second British aircraft known to recover from a spin, and notably the first to do so in front of witnesses.[1] On 25 August, Lt Wilfred Parke, accompanied by Lt Breton as passenger, embarked on an endurance flight. After three hours airborne, while executing a series of dives, Parke entered a spin at approximately 700 feet (210 m). Thanks to a combination of composure, flying expertise, and fortunate circumstances, he regained control at roughly 50 feet (15 m) above ground level, allowing for a smooth recovery and continued flight. Parke’s detailed account provided valuable insight at a time when spins were widely regarded as almost inevitably fatal.
Specifications
References
Further reading
- Taylor, Michael J. H. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 1989, p. 91.
- World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing, File 889 Sheet 93.
External links
- Avro Type G – Directory of British Aircraft