Country of origin:

United Kingdom

Description:

Single-seat light biplane

Power Plant:

One 26 kw (35 hp) Green four-cylinder in-line liquid-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

The Avro Type D was the first Avro design that was not a triplane. The first of the type with a 26 kw (35 hp) Green engine flew on 1 April 1911 and was said by those who flew it to be ‘stable, vice-less and easy to fly’. It was used on a number of attempts to set endurance records, and was demonstrated to the British Parliamentary Aerial Defence Committee. One of the estimated six built was fitted with floats, and made the first take off from water of a British aircraft in November 1911. One was used for trials with the naval airship tender ‘Hermione’ and one was fitted with a 45 kw (60 hp) ENV engine. This was entered in a Daily Mail circuit of Britain Race but was damaged before the race and could not participate. Other engines fitted to the type included the 26 kw (35 hp) Viale and the 37 kw (50 hp) Isaacson.

In 1911 Australian aviator John Duigan went to the United Kingdom where he ordered an aircraft from A V Roe, this being basically a Type D with a 37 kw (50 hp) Alvaston engine. After taking delivery, he learnt to fly in it at Brooklands in Surrey, receiving his Royal Aeronautical Certificate in April 1912. He later sold the aircraft to the Lakes Flying Co which operated from Lake Windemere.

John was later joined by his brother Reginald and, together, they obtained materials and fittings to build an aircraft similar to the Type D. They returned to Australia in 1912 with this equipment with a 34 kw (45 hp) ENV liquid-cooled eight-cylinder engine for the aircraft and constructed it at their parent’s property at Ivanhoe, 9 km north-east of Melbourne, VIC. Flights were made and on one occasion the aircraft was extensively damaged in an accident. Subsequent attempts to sell the aircraft to the Australian Department of Defence were to no avail. The aircraft was eventually sold to Danish born Hans Andersen but the aircraft eventually fell into a state of disrepair and its ultimate fate is not known.