Avro

History

Avro was founded in 1910 by Alliott Verdon Roe and his brother Humphrey in Manchester, England. It became the first British firm to mass-produce aircraft, beginning with early biplane trainers. During World War I, Avro achieved major success with the Avro 504, one of the most widely used trainers of the era. Through the 1920s and 1930s, the company grew into a significant military contractor, later playing an essential role in both World Wars.

Avro became part of Hawker Siddeley in 1935, and later integrated into British Aerospace (BAe) and eventually BAE Systems. While the Avro brand ceased as an independent manufacturer, its legacy continued with Cold War aircraft projects and the development of the Avro RJ/BAe 146 regional jet family. Certain “Avro” branding was revived for regional jet variants into the modern era.

Headquarters

Avro was headquartered in Manchester, England, with major factories at Woodford, Chadderton, and Yeadon. These became some of Britain’s most important aircraft production sites during both world wars.

Where Were Avro Aircraft Made?

Key production facilities included:

• Woodford Aerodrome – major production and testing site
• Chadderton – large-scale wartime assembly
• Yeadon (now Leeds Bradford Airport) – WWII bomber manufacturing
• Ringway (now Manchester Airport) – early training aircraft and prototypes

These sites produced thousands of military aircraft throughout the 20th century.

Avro also produced:

• Seaplanes
• Experimental jet aircraft
• Civilian transports
• Military trainer aircraft
• Early airliners like the Avro Lancastrian and Tudor

At its wartime peak, Avro employed tens of thousands of workers across its manufacturing plants, making it one of Britain’s largest aviation employers.

Ownership

• 1935: Merged into Hawker Siddeley Group
• 1977: Incorporated into British Aerospace
• Later part of BAE Systems after corporate restructuring

Notable Events

1. Creation of the Avro 504 – World War I’s Most Successful Trainer

Introduced in 1913, the Avro 504 became the standard Allied training aircraft during WWI, with over 8,900 units built. It trained nearly every British and Commonwealth pilot of the era and remained in service well into the 1930s. Its success helped establish Avro as Britain’s premier aircraft producer before WWII.

2. The Avro Lancaster – Britain’s Iconic WWII Heavy Bomber

The Avro Lancaster, introduced in 1942, became one of the most important British bombers of WWII. It excelled in payload, range, and reliability, carrying out famous missions such as the “Dambusters” raid. More than 7,300 Lancasters were built, and the aircraft cemented Avro’s reputation for robust military design.

3. Development of the Avro Vulcan – A Revolutionary Cold War Bomber

The Avro Vulcan, entering service in 1956, was a groundbreaking delta-wing strategic bomber built for Britain’s nuclear deterrent during the Cold War. Its design pushed aerodynamic boundaries, showcasing Avro’s innovative capabilities. The Vulcan became an icon of Britain’s V-Bomber force and remained in service until 1984.

4. Integration into Hawker Siddeley (1935)

Avro’s merger into the Hawker Siddeley Group allowed it to access larger resources and participate in national defense projects. Although the Avro name continued on aircraft, the company operated under the umbrella of a major British aviation conglomerate.

5. The Avro RJ / BAe 146 Program

In the 1980s–1990s, the Avro name was revived for the Avro RJ variants of the BAe 146 regional jet, known for their short-field capability and quiet operations. These jets became popular in city-center airports such as London City Airport, giving the Avro brand a modern civilian legacy.