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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = Bison
|name = Bison
|image =Avro Bison in Flight.jpg
|image =Avro Bison in Flight.jpg
|caption =Avro Bison II
|caption =Avro Bison II
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
|type = Fleet spotter/reconnaissance
|type = Fleet spotter/reconnaissance
|manufacturer = [[Avro]]
|manufacturer = [[Avro]]
|designer =
|designer =
|first flight = 1921
|first_flight = 1921
|introduced = 1922
|introduction = 1922
|retired = 1929
|retired = 1929
|produced =
|produced =
|number built = 55
|number_built = 55
|status = Retired
|status = Retired
|unit cost =
|unit cost =
|primary user = [[Royal Air Force]]
|primary_user = [[Royal Air Force]]
|more users =
|more_users =
|developed from =
|developed_from =
|variants with their own articles =
|variants =
}}
}}
|}


The '''Avro 555 Bison ''' was a [[United Kingdom|British]] single-engined fleet spotter/[[reconnaissance]] aircraft built by [[Avro]].
The '''Avro 555 Bison ''' was a British single-engined fleet spotter/[[reconnaissance]] aircraft built by [[Avro]].


==Development and design==
==Development and design==
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, together with three of the competing design from [[Blackburn Aircraft]], the [[Blackburn Blackburn]].<ref name="Harlin p. 41">Harlin 1983, p. 41.</ref> 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 of steel tube, 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.<ref name="Jackson Avro, p. 204">Jackson 1990, p. 204.</ref>
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}}


The first prototype flew in 1921,<ref name="Jackson Avro, p. 204"/> with an order for 12 Bison Is following.<ref name="Harlin p. 43">Harlin 1983, p. 43.</ref> 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&nbsp;ft (0.6&nbsp;m) and removing [[Dihedral (aircraft)|dihedral]] from the upper wings, flying in this form in April 1923.<ref name="Harlin pp. 45–6">Harlin 1983, pp. 45–45.</ref> Further production orders followed with these modifications incorporated as the Bison II,<ref name="Harlin p. 46">Harlin 1983, p. 46.</ref> while some Bison Is were modified to a similar standard, sometimes known as the Bison IA.<ref name="Harlin p. 47">Harlin 1983, p. 47.</ref> A Bison I was fitted with floats and retractable wheels but tests proved the design was not suitable for seaborne use.<ref name="Jackson Avro, p. 205">Jackson 1990, p. 205.</ref>
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&nbsp;ft (0.6&nbsp;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}}


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
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]].<ref name="Jackson Avro, p. 206">Jackson 1990, p. 206.</ref> 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]].<ref name="Thetford pp. 40–1">Thetford 1978, pp. 40–41.</ref><ref name="Harlin pp. 48–50">Harlin 1983, pp. 48–50.</ref> The aircraft were retired in 1929 when they were replaced by the [[Fairey IIIF]].<ref name="Harlin pp. 50–1">Harlin 1983, pp. 50–51.</ref>
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}}


==Operators==
==Operators==
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{{Aircraft specs
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Avro Aircraft since 1908 <ref name="Jackson avro, p. 208">Jackson 1990, p. 208.</ref>
|ref=Avro Aircraft since 1908{{sfn|Jackson|1990|p=208}}
|prime units?=imp
|prime units?=imp
<!--
<!--
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|wing area note=
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|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 |accessdate=16 April 2019}}</ref>-->
|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>-->
|empty weight lb=4116
|empty weight lb=4116
|empty weight note=
|empty weight note=
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-->
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Napier Lion II]]
|eng1 name=[[Napier Lion II]]
|eng1 type=W-12 liquid-cooled piston engine
|eng1 type=W-12 liquid-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp=480
|eng1 hp=480
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|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|power/mass=
|more performance=<!--</br>
|more performance=<!--
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->
* '''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->
<!--
<!--
Armament
Armament
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|related=
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|similar aircraft=
*[[Blackburn Blackburn|Blackburn R.1 Blackburn]]
* [[Blackburn Blackburn|Blackburn R.1 Blackburn]]
|lists=
|lists=
*[[List of aircraft of the RAF]]
* [[List of aircraft of the RAF]]
|see also=
|see also=
}}
}}


==References==
==Footnotes==
⚫
{{commons category|Avro Bison}}
{{reflist|20em}}
{{reflist|20em}}


==References==
* {{cite magazine |last=Harlin |first= Eric J|authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |month= |title= The Sea-Going Bison|magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |volume= |issue=Twenty-two, August–November 1983 |pages=40–51 |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote= }}
⚫
{{commons category|Avro Bison}}
⚫
* {{cite book |last= Jackson|first=A.J.|title= Avro Aircraft since 1908 |year=1990 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn= 0-85177-834-8|url= |accessdate=}}
{{refbegin}}
⚫
* {{cite book |last= Thetford|first=Owen|title= British Naval Aircraft since 1912|edition=Fourth|year=1978 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn= 0-370-30021-1|url= |accessdate=}}
* {{cite book |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)|year= |publisher= Orbis Publishing|location= |issn=}}
* {{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}}
⚫
* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=A. J. |title=Avro Aircraft since 1908 |year=1990 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn= 0-85177-834-8}}
⚫
* {{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}}
* {{cite book |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (part work 1982–1985) |publisher=Orbis |location=London |oclc=16544050}}
{{refend}}


{{Avro aircraft}}
{{Avro aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 01:56, 7 December 2024

Bison
Avro Bison II
General information
TypeFleet spotter/reconnaissance
ManufacturerAvro
StatusRetired
Primary userRoyal Air Force
Number built55
History
Introduction date1922
First flight1921
Retired1929

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]
 United Kingdom

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

See also

[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ Harlin 1983, p. 41.
  2. ^ a b Jackson 1990, p. 204.
  3. ^ Harlin 1983, p. 43.
  4. ^ Harlin 1983, pp. 45–47.
  5. ^ Jackson 1990, p. 205.
  6. ^ Jackson 1990, p. 206.
  7. ^ Thetford 1978, pp. 40–41.
  8. ^ Harlin 1983, pp. 48–50.
  9. ^ Harlin 1983, pp. 50–51.
  10. ^ 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.
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