Avro 508

The Avro 508 was a small two‑seat biplane produced by the British firm Avro in 1913, shortly before the outbreak of the First World War. Designed by A.V. Roe as a training and reconnaissance platform, the aircraft featured a wooden frame with fabric covering, a single 80 hp Gnome rotary engine, and equal‑span, staggered wings supported by interplane struts. The pilot and observer sat side‑by‑side in an open cockpit, allowing easy communication during flight. Its relatively light weight and forgiving handling made it suitable for novice pilots, while the provision of a detachable forward observer’s seat enabled limited photographic and artillery‑spotting tasks. Only a handful of 508s were built; most were quickly superseded by more powerful models such as the Avro 504, which incorporated a stronger engine and improved structural rigidity. Nevertheless, the 508 provided valuable experience in constructing reliable biplane airframes and refining control surface arrangements. Its brief operational life demonstrated the rapid pace of aircraft development on the eve of war and helped establish Avro’s reputation for producing versatile, easy‑to‑maintain machines that would dominate British military aviation throughout the conflict.

Avro

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification