Avro York
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Image:Avro York.jpg The Avro York was a passenger and freight transport of the 1940s, in both military and civilian applications. Initially designated the Avro type 685, it first flew on July 5, 1942. What would be known as the York combined the wings and undercarriage of the Lancaster bomber with a much larger, rectangular fuselage. The increased forward area necessitated fitting a third fin to retain control.
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Service
The first civilian York was delivered to BOAC in 1944. One of the prototypes became a flying conference room for Winston Churchill - it was named Ascalon and flew Churchill to the Yalta Conference in 1945. Other Yorks were provided for the use of Lord Mountbatten when Viceroy of India, the Duke of Gloucester when Governor-General of Australia, and South African leader Jan Smuts. In RAF Transport Command service the York was used on the England-India route.
50 civilian Yorks were delivered, and 208 to the RAF - many of which subsequently passed into civilian hands. During the Berlin Airlift, Yorks flew over 58,000 sorties - close to half of the British contribution, alongside the DC-3 and Handley Page Hastings.
In the post-war years, BOAC used Yorks on their Cairo to Durban service, which had previously been worked by Shorts flying-boats. They were also used by British South American Airways and many private operators.
Survivors
While there are no flying examples of the Avro York, there are two complete examples on display. At the RAF Cosford Collection is Avro 685 York C1, TS798 (cn 1223) which was delivered new to the RAF as TS798, then to BOAC and Skyways (G-AGNV), then to Staverton, Brize Norton and Shawbury.
Another example on public display is held at the Imperial War Museum Duxford: Avro 685 York C1, G-ANTK is an ex Dan-Air London aircraft. This airframe was built at Yealdon, near Leeds, in January 1946 and entered RAF service with 242 Squadron as MW232 that August. It joined the fleet of Allied aircraft engaged in the Berlin Airlift and in May 1947 the York moved to 511 Squadron at Lyneham, where it served until May 1950 when it was used by Fairy Aviation for flight refuelling research. It then retired to 12 Maintenance Unit at Kirkbride for storage prior to disposal.
In July 1954 MW232 became G-ANTK with Dan-Air and it was used for freight work until its retirement in May 1964. It was ferried to Lasham and used as a bunk house by the local Air Scouts until 1974. The Dan-Air preservation group took it over and began to restore the aircraft in their spare time.
In the mid 80's Dan-Air realised the impracticality of the restoration work being undertaken and began negotiations with The Duxford Aviation Society. In May 1986 the aircraft was dismantled and on the 23rd of May made its journey to Duxford on seven low loaders.
Specials
The Avro York was, like its stablemates, the Lancaster and Lincoln, a very versatile aircraft. To illustrate the point a special version was made for the personal transport of Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
More interestingly, Avro York LV633 'Ascalon' was to be fitted with a special pressurised 'egg' so that VIP passengers could be carried without their having to use an oxygen mask.
Made of aluminium alloy it had eight perspex windows to reduce claustrophobia. It also had a telephone, instrument panel, drinking facilities and an ashtray with room for cigars, thermos, newspapers, books.
Testing at RAE Farnborough found the egg to work satisfactorily. However, Avro said it was too busy with the new Lancaster IV (Avro Lincoln) work so it was never actually installed in the Ascalon. It was considered for installation in the successor aircraft, a Douglas C-54B but contractor Armstrong Whitworth decided it was impractical and the project was shelved.
The whereabouts of 'Churchill's Egg' are presently unknown.
[From an article in Aeroplane Monthly, January 1983].
Two further Yorks are of note:
MW104 "Endeavour" flew to Australia in 1945 to become the personal aircraft of HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Australia's then Governor-General. It became the only Avro York operated by the Royal Australian Air Force.
Another aeroplane was fitted out as a "flying office" for Lord Mountbatten, then C-in-C South East Asia Command. The aeroplane was painted duck egg green, a shade intended to cool down the aeroplane, instead of the normal camoflauge colour scheme.
Military Operators
- Australia, France, South Africa, United Kingdom.