Avro 521

Avro 521
Role	Fighter
Manufacturer	Avro
First flight	late 1915
Number built	1

The Avro 521 was a British two-seat fighter first flown late in 1915, based on the 504. Only a prototype of the Avro 521 was built. It was powered by a 110 hp (80 kW) Clerget engine, with a provision for a .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis Gun in the rear cockpit.

Operational history

The prototype underwent trials with the RFC in early 1916, and 25 aircraft were subsequently ordered. However, this contract was cancelled, and there is no evidence of any other Avro 521s being built. The prototype crashed at Central Flying School Upavon on 21 September 1916, killing pilot Lieutenant W.H.S. Garnett.

Specifications

Data from Avro Aircraft since 1908

General characteristics

• Crew: One
• Length: 28 ft 2 in (8.58m)
• Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
• Height: 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)
• Wing area: 266 ft² (24.71m²)
• Empty weight: 1,150 lb (522 kg)
• Loaded weight: 1,995 lb (905 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Clerget 9Z nine cylinder rotary engine, 110 hp (82 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 94.6 mph (82 kn, 152 km/h) at sea level
• Wing loading: 7.5 lb/ft² (36.6 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 0.055 hp/lb (0.091 kW/kg)
  
• Time to 6,000 ft: 14 minutes
• Endurance: 4.5 hours

Armament

• Guns: 1 × rear mounted .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis Gun

References

Bibliography

• William Green and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Colour Library Direct, Godalming, UK: 1994. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.
• Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London:Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-834-8.