Avro 571 Buffalo
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = Type 571 Buffalo
|image = AvBuffalo.jpg
|caption =
|type = Torpedo Bomber
|manufacturer = Avro
|designer =
|first_flight = 1926
|introduction =
|retired =
|status = Prototype
|primary_user =
|more_users =
|produced =
|number_built = 1
|unit cost =
|developed_from =
|variants =
}}
The Avro 571 Buffalo was a prototype British carrier-based torpedo bomber biplane, designed and built by Avro in the 1920s. It was not selected for service, the Blackburn Ripon being ordered instead.
Design and development
The Avro 571 Buffalo was designed by Avro as a private venture to meet the requirements of Air Ministry Specification 21/23, for a two-seat torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, intended to replace the Blackburn Dart. The prototype (G-EBNW) first flew at the Avro works at Hamble during 1926.Jackson 1990, p.229. It was evaluated against the Blackburn Ripon and the Handley Page Harrow, but was found to have poor handling and was therefore rejected.Mason 1994, p. 157.
The prototype was therefore rebuilt as the Avro 572 Buffalo II, with new, all-metal wings, fitted with controllable Handley Page slats and a more powerful engine. In this form, the Buffalo was much improved. By this time however, the Ripon had been declared the competition winner.
Operational history
After it failed to be ordered into production, the Buffalo was converted into a seaplane in 1928 for the Air Ministry. As serial number N239, it was used for trials at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe.
Variants
;Avro 571 Buffalo I
:Prototype powered by 450 hp (340 kW) Napier Lion Va engine.
;Avro 572 Buffalo II
:Rebuilt Buffalo I with new wing and powered by 530 hp (400 kW) Lion XIA.
Operators
;{{UK}}
Specifications (Buffalo II)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= Avro Aircraft since 1908. Jackson 1990, pp. 231–232.
|prime units?=imp
|crew=2
|length ft=37
|length in=3
|length note=
|span ft=46
|span in=0
|span note=
|height ft=14
|height in=0
|height note=
|wing area sqft=684
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=
|empty weight lb=4233
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=7430
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Napier Lion XIA
|eng1 type=W-12 water-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp=530
|eng1 note=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop dia note=
|max speed mph=135
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=105
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed note=
|range miles=650
|range note=
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling ft=13700
|ceiling note=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|glide ratio=
|climb rate ftmin=770
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|sink rate ftmin=
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading lb/sqft=10.9
|wing loading note=
|disk loading lb/sqft=
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.071|hp/lb}}
|more performance=
|guns=
:* 1 × fixed, forward firing 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun (not Mk II) and 1 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis Gun in rear cockpit
|bombs=
:* 1 × 18 in (457 mm) torpedo
or
:* up to 3 × 520 lb (236 kg) bombs
}}
See also
References
{{commons category|Avro 571 Buffalo}}
=Notes=
{{Reflist}}
=Bibliography=
{{Refbegin}}
- Jackson, A.J. Avro Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books 2nd edition, 1990. {{ISBN|0-85177-834-8}}.
- Mason, Francis K. The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1994. {{ISBN|0-85177-861-5}}.
{{Refend}}
{{Avro aircraft}}