Avro York, by William Harrison
Booklet published by Warpaint Books in 1993 as No.98 in the Warpaint Series, 48 pages. A4 size booklet (N5421P1)
This booklet is a fascinating and detailed history of the 'Avro York', a British transport aircraft that was derived from the Second World War Lancaster heavy bomber, and which was used in both military and civilian roles between 1943 and 1964.
From the first page: It was the foresight by Avro's chief designer, Roy Chadwick, that was to lead to the York transport. As early as 1941 he recognised that there would be a requirement for a large transport aircraft capable of filling a number of roles but mostly long-range flights with the security of four reliable engines. With all design and production skilled workforce dedicated to the building and production of the superb Lancaster there seemed little opportunity for providing a large transport aircraft. The lack of manufacturing materials required for wartime production was a factor in holding up progress. However, in 1941 Chadwick began his preliminary designs and plans for such an undertaking which was known initially as the Lancaster Transport.
Chadwick's ideas were submitted to the Air Ministry in September 1941 but had a cool reception, even though at that time there was no large existing RAF transport to get men and supplies to India and the Far East. His idea, however, was to receive a boost from an unexpected direction. The original proposal started in 1942 with discussions between the then Prime Minister Winston Churchill and JTC Moore-Brabazon with plans for a strong post-war British commercial aircraft fleet built and provided by the British aircraft industry. It was suggested that an advisory committee be set up to come up with aircraft types required and their suitability for post-war air routes, both for the UK, Europe and Empire.
The book is illustrated throughout with lots of black and white photographs, as well as 4 pages of line drawings showing the plans of the aircraft, and several pages showing individual profiles of aircraft with different designs and camoflauge.
| Condition | New |