Avro 642

Avro · United Kingdom · first flew 1933 · transport aircraft

The Avro 642 was a British four-engine low-wing monoplane airliner of the early 1930s, one of Avro's ventures into larger commercial transport aircraft.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	4 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	17 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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British 1930s low-wing four-engine commercial monoplane airliner
Four radial piston engines on a tapered monoplane wing
Fixed undercarriage with large wheel fairings, enclosed passenger cabin

Low-wing monoplane with four radial engines in individual nacelles along the leading edge, fixed spatted undercarriage, a large rectangular fuselage cross-section, and a conventional swept tail. The four-engine fixed-undercarriage low-wing layout distinguishes it from Avro's smaller types.

Specifications

The Avro 642 has a length of 17 m (56 ft).
It has a wingspan of 27 m (89 ft).
Its maximum speed is 270 km/h (168 mph).
Typical crew: 3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Avro built the 642 in 1933 as a step up from its smaller commercial designs, targeting operators needing a genuine multi-engine airliner for domestic and colonial routes. Only two were built, one delivered to Midland and Scottish Air Ferries. The design was conventional for its era but could not compete commercially with more established types.

Variants

The 642 was built as the Mk.I (two-engine prototype) and Mk.II (four-engine production version); total production was two aircraft.

Where you'll see it

Operated briefly by Midland and Scottish Air Ferries and the Indian Air Force as a VIP transport in the mid-1930s.

Related aircraft

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