AVRO YORK

AVRO 685 YORK - Military transport version of the Lancaster, evolved by Roy Chadwick in parallel with the bomber prototype, having the same wings, power plant, undercarriage and tail unit with a square-section fuselage providing double the capacity. Prototype flown July 5, 1942, followed by three more proto-types of varying standard and introducing a third central fin. Production deliveries to Specification C.l/42 began 1944, and total of 208 eventually built for RAF by 1948. Used by RAF as Avro York C Mk I in all-passenger, all-freight and combined passenger/ freight versions, initially by No 24 Sqn (from April 1944). Also used as VIP transport. Five transferred to BO AC in 1944 and used with 12 seats plus freight compartment to open UK-Cairo route on April 22, 1944. One prototype converted to Avro York C Mk II with 1,650 hp Hercules VI; basic Avro York C Mk I had 1,620 hp Merlin T24s. One Avro York C Mk I Special built by Victory Aircraft for RCAF, first flown November 1944.

Max speed, 298 mph (479 km/h). Cruising speed, 233 mph (375 km/h). Initial rate of climb, 1,500 ft/min (25.0 mlsec). Ceiling, 26,000ft (7,925 m). Range, 2,700 mis (4,344 km). Empty weight, 42,040 Ib (19,086 kg). Gross weight, 68,000 Ib (30,872 kg). Span, 102 ft 0 in (31.09 m). Length, 78 ft 6 in (23.93 m) . Wing area, 1,205 sq ft (111.9 m).