An engine prime, start and run demonstration and a walk around look at the Shuttleworth Collection's 1918 Avro 504K. Filmed at their Engineering Open Day on Sunday 25 February 2024. The engine is a Le Rhone 9J Rotary.

First flown at Brooklands in 1913 and still in RAF service in 1944, the Avro 504 was a development of the Avro 500. It was built in greater numbers than any other British aircraft during the First World War.

Ultimately built by at least 18 contractors, the total number built during the First World War is unclear, although there is general agreement that more than 8,000 were built during the First World War and the grand total, including aircraft built overseas exceeds 10,000 aircraft.

From mid1915 onward, the Avro 504 was withdrawn from operations in France and became the standard training aircraft for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). The most significant versions of the Avro 504 were the 504J using the 100hp Gnome Monosoupape or the 80hp Le Rhone rotary engine, whereas the 504K could accommodate these and a wide range of other engine types.

The Avro 504J (of which 2,070 were built) was in essence, an Avro 504A fitted with a 100 hp Gnome Monosoupape engine. Many aircraft initially ordered as Avro 504A were eventually completed as the Avro 504J.

Valuable work was performed by the SmithBarry School of Special Flying at Gosport using the Avro 504J and 504K, formalising the instructional syllabus and teaching operational flying techniques to prepare pilots for combat flying at the Front

Towards the end of 1917, the shortage of rotary engines for Avro 504s became acute and so a modified engine mount arrangement was designed whereby different interface plates would allow many types of rotary engines to be fitted within a smooth circular cowling. This model received the designation Avro 504K.

Engine choices for the 504K included the 100 hp Gnome Monosoupape, the 80 or 110 hp Le Rhone, and the 130 hp Clerget, among others. The Avro 504K was the most successful version of the Avro 504, with 4,997 being built.

In late 1917, singleseat converted 504Js and 504Ks were used to equip several Home Defence squadrons of the RFC. These aircraft were fitted with a Lewis gun above the wing and powered by 100 hp Gnome or 110 hp Le Rhône engines. 274 converted Avro 504Js and Ks were in use by eight Home Defence squadrons in 1918.

After the end of the war, the type continued in service as the standard trainer of the newly formed Royal Air Force (RAF) until the late 1920s. The last UKbuilt Avro 504Ks were delivered in February 1927.

Large numbers of surplus aircraft were sold for civil or military use, with more than 300 504Ks placed on the civil register in Britain, used for tuition and joyriding. Most of these aircraft had the dual controls removed and the rear cockpit modified to accommodate two passengers.

Extensive military export orders for the 504K were received and 30 or more of the type were operated by each of the following nations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), India, Japan, Portugal and South Africa. Some 331 Avro 504K were manufactured overseas in Australia, Japan, Canada, Dutch East Indies and Belgium.

Unofficial derivatives of the Avro 504K were built in Japan and Russia.

This aircraft, which is powered by a Le Rhone 110hp engine, is owned and operated by The Shuttleworth Collection.
It was one of those converted to a radial engined 504N while in RAF service. Later it passed into civilian ownership and was registered as GADEV. In 1940 it was impressed into military service and took part in glider towing experiments. After WW2 it was returned to civilian use and converted back to K specification by Avro apprentices for the film Reach for the Sky. It was then donated to Shuttleworth.

It was completely overhauled during 2010 and since March 2011 has been presented in the night fighter configuration of 77 Home Defence Squadron, RAF, machine E.3273, based at East Lothian between September 1918 and June 1919.

For the night fighter role the Avro 504K was converted from a dual to a singleseater. This was achieved by fairing over the front cockpit and fitting a Lewis gun over the centre section mounted on a semicircular sliding Foster gun mount. With a Le Rhone rotary engine this configuration could usefully reach 18,000 feet. This conversion also gave night flying pilots the ability to train with a rotary engine, which made it an invaluable stepping stone towards flying the Sopwith Camel. It was the Camel which would spearhead night fighting in France in 1918.

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