Avro Bison: Difference between revisions
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{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin |
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{{Use British English|date=May 2017}} |
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{{Infobox aircraft |
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|name = Bison |
|name = Bison |
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|image =Avro Bison in Flight.jpg |
|image =Avro Bison in Flight.jpg |
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|caption =Avro Bison II |
|caption =Avro Bison II |
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|type = Fleet spotter/reconnaissance |
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}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type |
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|type = Fleet Spotter/Reconnaissance |
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|manufacturer = [[Avro]] |
|manufacturer = [[Avro]] |
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|designer = |
|designer = |
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|first_flight = 1921 |
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|introduction = 1922 |
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|retired = 1929 |
|retired = 1929 |
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|produced = |
|produced = |
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|number_built = 55 |
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|status = Retired |
|status = Retired |
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|unit cost = |
|unit cost = |
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|primary_user = [[Royal Air Force]] |
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|more_users = |
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|developed_from = |
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|variants |
|variants = |
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}} |
}} |
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|} |
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The '''Avro 555 Bison ''' was a |
The '''Avro 555 Bison ''' was a British single-engined fleet spotter/[[reconnaissance]] aircraft built by [[Avro]]. |
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==Development and design== |
==Development and design== |
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The Bison was designed to meet |
The Bison was designed to meet British [[List of Air Ministry Specifications|Specification 3/21]] for a carrier-based fleet spotter and reconnaissance aircraft. An order for three prototypes was placed in October 1921, along with three of the competing design from [[Blackburn Aircraft]], the [[Blackburn Blackburn]].{{sfn|Harlin|1983|p=41}} Avro's design, the Type 555 Bison, was a two-bay biplane, powered, like the Blackburn, by a [[Napier Lion]] engine. The deep slab-sided fuselage was constructed from steel tubing, with the pilot sitting in an open cockpit forward of the wings, and the engine cowling sloping steeply down ahead of the pilot. An enclosed cabin with large rectangular windows on each side housed the navigator and radio operator and all their equipment, with sufficient headroom to stand upright, while a cockpit for a gunner armed with a [[Lewis gun]] on a [[Scarff ring]] was provided in the rear fuselage. The upper wings were mounted directly on the top of the fuselage.{{sfn|Jackson|1990|p=204}} |
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The first prototype flew in 1921, |
The first prototype flew in 1921, with an order for 12 Bison Is following.{{sfn|Jackson|1990|p=204}}{{sfn|Harlin|1983|p=43}} The aircraft had handling problems, however, caused by interference of the pilots cockpit with the airflow over the upper wing. This was resolved by revising the wing design of the second prototype, raising the centre section of the upper wing by 2 ft (0.6 m) and removing [[Dihedral (aircraft)|dihedral]] from the upper wings, flying in this form in April 1923. Further production orders followed with these modifications incorporated as the Bison II, while some Bison Is were modified to a similar standard, sometimes known as the Bison IA.{{sfn|Harlin|1983|pp=45–47}} A Bison I was fitted with floats and retractable wheels but tests proved the design was not suitable for seaborne use.{{sfn|Jackson|1990|p=205}} |
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==Operational history== |
==Operational history== |
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Although designed for a naval requirement the first deliveries were to the [[Royal Air Force]] in 1922 to replace the [[Westland Walrus]] for coastal reconnaissance work with [[No. 3 Squadron RAF]]. |
Although designed for a naval requirement the first deliveries were to the [[Royal Air Force]] in 1922 to replace the [[Westland Walrus]] for coastal reconnaissance work with [[No. 3 Squadron RAF]].{{sfn|Jackson|1990|p=206}} In April 1923, 3 Squadron was broken up to form a number of Fleet Spotter Flights of the [[Fleet Air Arm]]. Naval aircraft served on {{HMS|Argus|I49|6}}, {{HMS|Eagle|1918|6}} and {{HMS|Furious|47|2}} and onshore at [[Gosport]], [[England]] and [[Hal Far]], [[Malta]].{{sfn|Thetford|1978|pp=40–41}}{{sfn|Harlin|1983|pp=48–50}} The aircraft were retired in 1929 when they were replaced by the [[Fairey IIIF]].{{sfn|Harlin|1983|pp=50–51}} |
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==Operators== |
==Operators== |
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;{{flag|United Kingdom}} |
;{{flag|United Kingdom}} |
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* [[Royal Air Force]] |
* [[Royal Air Force]] |
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** 421 Fleet Spotter Flight [[Fleet Air Arm]] |
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* [[Royal Navy]] |
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** [[Fleet Air Arm]] |
** 423 Fleet Spotter Flight [[Fleet Air Arm]] |
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*** [[421 Flight FAA]] |
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*** [[423 Flight FAA]] |
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*** [[447 Flight FAA]] |
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*** [[448 Flight FAA]] |
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==Variants== |
==Variants== |
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| Line 45: | Line 41: | ||
:Three prototypes to Air Ministry specification 3/21. |
:Three prototypes to Air Ministry specification 3/21. |
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;Avro 555 Bison I |
;Avro 555 Bison I |
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:Twelve Lion II powered production aircraft, survivors |
:Twelve Lion II powered production aircraft, survivors rebuilt as IAs |
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;Avro 555 Bison IA |
;Avro 555 Bison IA |
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:Bison Is modified with a biplane gap and additional dorsal fin. |
:Bison Is modified with a biplane gap and additional dorsal fin. |
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| Line 54: | Line 50: | ||
==Specifications (Bison II)== |
==Specifications (Bison II)== |
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{{aircraft specifications |
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{{Aircraft specs |
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<!-- please answer the following questions --> |
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|ref=Avro Aircraft since 1908{{sfn|Jackson|1990|p=208}} |
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|plane or copter?=plane |
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|prime units?=imp |
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|jet or prop?=prop |
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<!-- |
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<!-- Now, fill out the specs. Please include units where appropriate (main comes first, alt in parentheses). If an item doesn't apply, like capacity, leave it blank. For additional lines, end your alt units with )</li> and start a new, fully-formatted line with <li> --> |
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General characteristics |
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|ref=Avro Aircraft since 1908 <ref name="Jackson avro p208">Jackson 1990, p.208.</ref> |
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--> |
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|crew=4 |
|crew=4 |
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|length |
|length ft=36 |
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|length |
|length in=0 |
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|length note= |
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|span main=46 ft 0 in |
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|span |
|span ft=46 |
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|span in=0 |
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|height main=14 ft 2 in |
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|span note= |
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|height alt= 4.32 m |
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|height ft=14 |
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|area main=630 ft² |
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|height in=2 |
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|area alt= 58.6 m² |
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|height note= |
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|empty weight main=4,116 lb |
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|wing area sqft=630 |
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|empty weight alt= 1,871 kg |
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|wing area note= |
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|loaded weight main= |
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|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes --> |
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|loaded weight alt= |
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|airfoil=<!--'''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>--> |
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|max takeoff weight main=6,132 lb |
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|empty weight lb=4116 |
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|empty weight note= |
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|engine (prop)=[[Napier Lion|Napier Lion II]] |
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|gross weight lb= |
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|gross weight note= |
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|number of props=1 |
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|max takeoff weight lb=6132 |
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|power main=480 hp |
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|max takeoff weight note= |
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|power alt=358 kW |
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|fuel capacity= |
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|max speed main=108 mph |
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|more general= |
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|max speed alt=94 knots, 174 km/h |
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<!-- |
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|cruise speed main=90 mph |
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Powerplant |
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|cruise speed alt=78 knots, 145 km/h |
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--> |
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|range main= 360 mi |
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|eng1 number=1 |
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|range alt=313 [[nautical mile|nmi]], 580 km |
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|eng1 name=[[Napier Lion II]] |
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|ceiling main= 12,000 ft |
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|eng1 type=W-12 liquid-cooled piston engine |
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|ceiling alt= 3,660 m |
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|eng1 hp=480 |
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|climb rate main=450 ft/min |
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|eng1 note=at 2,200 rpm |
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::::normal {{cvt|450|hp|0}} at 2,000 rpm |
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|loading main= |
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|loading alt= |
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|prop blade number=2 |
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|power/mass main= |
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|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller |
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|power/mass alt= |
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|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |
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|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |
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|prop dia note= |
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<!-- |
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Performance |
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--> |
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|max speed mph=108 |
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|max speed note= |
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|cruise speed mph=90 |
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|cruise speed note= |
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|stall speed mph= |
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|stall speed note= |
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|never exceed speed mph= |
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|never exceed speed note= |
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|range miles=360 |
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|range note= |
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|combat range miles= |
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|combat range note= |
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|ferry range miles= |
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|ferry range note= |
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|endurance=<!-- if range unknown --> |
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|ceiling ft=12000 |
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|ceiling note= |
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|climb rate ftmin=450 |
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|climb rate note= |
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|time to altitude= |
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|wing loading lb/sqft= |
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|wing loading note= |
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|fuel consumption lb/mi= |
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|power/mass= |
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|more performance=<!-- |
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* '''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}} |
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* '''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}} |
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* '''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}} |
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* '''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}--> |
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<!-- |
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Armament |
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--> |
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|guns=1 × fixed forward firing [[.303 British|.303 in]] [[Vickers machine gun]] and 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) [[Lewis Gun]] on [[Scarff ring]] |
|guns=1 × fixed forward firing [[.303 British|.303 in]] [[Vickers machine gun]] and 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) [[Lewis Gun]] on [[Scarff ring]] |
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|bombs=Provision for underwing bomb racks |
|bombs=Provision for underwing bomb racks |
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| Line 103: | Line 137: | ||
|related= |
|related= |
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|similar aircraft= |
|similar aircraft= |
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*[[Blackburn Blackburn|Blackburn R.1 Blackburn]] |
* [[Blackburn Blackburn|Blackburn R.1 Blackburn]] |
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|lists= |
|lists= |
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*[[List of aircraft of the RAF]] |
* [[List of aircraft of the RAF]] |
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|see also= |
|see also= |
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}} |
}} |
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==Footnotes== |
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{{reflist|20em}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{commons category|Avro Bison}} |
{{commons category|Avro Bison}} |
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{{ |
{{refbegin}} |
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* {{cite magazine |last=Harlin |first= Eric J. |date=August–November 1983 |title=The Sea-Going Bison |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |issue=22 |pages=40–51 |issn=0143-5450}} |
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* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=A. J. |title=Avro Aircraft since 1908 |year=1990 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn= 0-85177-834-8}} |
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* {{cite journal |last=Harlin |first= Eric J|authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |month= |title= The Sea-Going Bison|journal=[[Air Enthusiast]] |volume= |issue=Twenty-two, August–November 1983 |pages=pp. 40–51 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote= }} |
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* {{cite book |last= |
* {{cite book |last=Thetford |first=Owen |title=British Naval Aircraft since 1912 |edition=4th |year=1978 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=0-370-30021-1}} |
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* {{cite book |
* {{cite book |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (part work 1982–1985) |publisher=Orbis |location=London |oclc=16544050}} |
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{{refend}} |
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* {{cite book |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)|year= |publisher= Orbis Publishing|location= |issn=}} |
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{{Avro aircraft}} |
{{Avro aircraft}} |
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[[Category:British military reconnaissance aircraft |
[[Category:1920s British military reconnaissance aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Avro aircraft|Bison]] |
[[Category:Avro aircraft|Bison]] |
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[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]] |
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Biplanes]] |
[[Category:Biplanes]] |
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[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1921]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:56, 7 December 2024
| Bison | |
|---|---|
 Avro Bison II | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fleet spotter/reconnaissance |
| Manufacturer | Avro |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 55 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1922 |
| First flight | 1921 |
| Retired | 1929 |
The Avro 555 Bison was a British single-engined fleet spotter/reconnaissance aircraft built by Avro.
Development and design
[edit]The Bison was designed to meet British Specification 3/21 for a carrier-based fleet spotter and reconnaissance aircraft. An order for three prototypes was placed in October 1921, along with three of the competing design from Blackburn Aircraft, the Blackburn Blackburn.[1] Avro's design, the Type 555 Bison, was a two-bay biplane, powered, like the Blackburn, by a Napier Lion engine. The deep slab-sided fuselage was constructed from steel tubing, with the pilot sitting in an open cockpit forward of the wings, and the engine cowling sloping steeply down ahead of the pilot. An enclosed cabin with large rectangular windows on each side housed the navigator and radio operator and all their equipment, with sufficient headroom to stand upright, while a cockpit for a gunner armed with a Lewis gun on a Scarff ring was provided in the rear fuselage. The upper wings were mounted directly on the top of the fuselage.[2]
The first prototype flew in 1921, with an order for 12 Bison Is following.[2][3] The aircraft had handling problems, however, caused by interference of the pilots cockpit with the airflow over the upper wing. This was resolved by revising the wing design of the second prototype, raising the centre section of the upper wing by 2 ft (0.6 m) and removing dihedral from the upper wings, flying in this form in April 1923. Further production orders followed with these modifications incorporated as the Bison II, while some Bison Is were modified to a similar standard, sometimes known as the Bison IA.[4] A Bison I was fitted with floats and retractable wheels but tests proved the design was not suitable for seaborne use.[5]
Operational history
[edit]Although designed for a naval requirement the first deliveries were to the Royal Air Force in 1922 to replace the Westland Walrus for coastal reconnaissance work with No. 3 Squadron RAF.[6] In April 1923, 3 Squadron was broken up to form a number of Fleet Spotter Flights of the Fleet Air Arm. Naval aircraft served on HMS Argus, HMS Eagle and Furious and onshore at Gosport, England and Hal Far, Malta.[7][8] The aircraft were retired in 1929 when they were replaced by the Fairey IIIF.[9]
Operators
[edit]
- Royal Air Force
- 421 Fleet Spotter Flight Fleet Air Arm
- 423 Fleet Spotter Flight Fleet Air Arm
Variants
[edit]- Avro 555 Bison
- Three prototypes to Air Ministry specification 3/21.
- Avro 555 Bison I
- Twelve Lion II powered production aircraft, survivors rebuilt as IAs
- Avro 555 Bison IA
- Bison Is modified with a biplane gap and additional dorsal fin.
- Avro 555A Bison II
- Improved variant with biplane gap modification, 23 built.
- Avro 555B Bison I
- One Bison I converted to an amphibian to meet Air Ministry Specification 8/23, not ordered into production.
Specifications (Bison II)
[edit]Data from Avro Aircraft since 1908[10]
General characteristics
- Crew: 4
- Length: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
- Wingspan: 46 ft 0 in (14.02 m)
- Height: 14 ft 2 in (4.32 m)
- Wing area: 630 sq ft (59 m2)
- Empty weight: 4,116 lb (1,867 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 6,132 lb (2,781 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Napier Lion II W-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 480 hp (360 kW) at 2,200 rpm
- normal 450 hp (336 kW) at 2,000 rpm
- Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 108 mph (174 km/h, 94 kn)
- Cruise speed: 90 mph (140 km/h, 78 kn)
- Range: 360 mi (580 km, 310 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,700 m)
- Rate of climb: 450 ft/min (2.3 m/s)
Armament
- Guns: 1 × fixed forward firing .303 in Vickers machine gun and 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis Gun on Scarff ring
- Bombs: Provision for underwing bomb racks
See also
[edit]Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ Harlin 1983, p. 41.
- ^ a b Jackson 1990, p. 204.
- ^ Harlin 1983, p. 43.
- ^ Harlin 1983, pp. 45–47.
- ^ Jackson 1990, p. 205.
- ^ Jackson 1990, p. 206.
- ^ Thetford 1978, pp. 40–41.
- ^ Harlin 1983, pp. 48–50.
- ^ Harlin 1983, pp. 50–51.
- ^ Jackson 1990, p. 208.
References
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Avro Bison.
- Harlin, Eric J. (August–November 1983). "The Sea-Going Bison". Air Enthusiast. No. 22. pp. 40–51. ISSN 0143-5450.
- Jackson, A. J. (1990). Avro Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-834-8.
- Thetford, Owen (1978). British Naval Aircraft since 1912 (4th ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-30021-1.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (part work 1982–1985). London: Orbis. OCLC 16544050.