Avro 548
Avro · United Kingdom · first flew 1920 · light aircraft
The Avro 548 was a three-seat civil variant of the famous Avro 504, adapted for joyriding and private touring in the early 1920s postwar civil aviation market.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.97 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Postwar three-seat civil conversion of the Avro 504 trainer
- Single inline engine with updated cowling over 504 airframe
- Open cockpit biplane retaining the classic 504 proportions
Virtually indistinguishable from the standard Avro 504 at a distance; look for the wider front cockpit cut-out accommodating two passengers side-by-side and the civil registration.
Specifications
- The Avro 548 has a length of 8.97 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.97 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 129 km/h (80 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot + 2 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Avro produced the 548 by modifying surplus 504 airframes to accommodate a pilot and two passengers, catering to the joyriding craze that swept Britain after World War I. Dozens of operators used the type at seaside resorts and aerodromes throughout the country.
Variants
The 548A was a refined version with a more powerful engine; both variants were closely based on the 504K structure.
Where you'll see it
Widely used by British joyriding operators in the early 1920s, particularly at seaside resorts; the Avro 504 family, including this variant, is closely associated with early British civil aviation.
Related aircraft
- Avro 547
- Avro 536
- Avro Baby
- Avro Bison
- Avia BH-1
- Dayton-Wright OW.1 Aerial Coupe
- Dayton-Wright RB-1 Racer
- Dornier Delphin
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.