Avro York C1
Serial Number:
TS798
Period:
Post-WWII
Collection Ref: 75/A/725
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, National Cold War Exhibition
Manufactured by Avro and incorporating the wings, tail,
undercarriage and engines of the Lancaster bomber, the York was to prove
a useful military and civilian transport aircraft in war and peace.
In 1941, Avro designer Roy Chadwick began to sketch out a long range transport
aircraft based on the Lancaster. The result became the Avro Type 685 York,
and the prototype flew on 5 July 1942.
Production began in 1943 and 258 aircraft were manufactured before construction
ceased in November 1946. Yorks were used by the RAF and by a number of
British and Commonwealth airlines and charter companies during the 1940s
and 1950s. During the Berlin Airlift, Yorks flew 58124 of the 131800 sorties
conducted by the RAF.
British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) Avro York aircraft took over
the Shorts Empire Class flying boat routes from Cairo to Durban in late
1946. British South American Airways (BSAA) were also operators of Avro
York aircraft on their routes to South America.
