Civilian Avro 504’s

Following WWI there were thousands of surplus aircraft on all sides of the conflict. One of the most remarkable things about the Avro 504 was that it continued to the flown and even expanded its reach out in the world of Aviation. Hundreds of Avro 504’s were sold into private hands and many more were gifted by the British Government to all corners of the British Empire, insuring the longevity of the type into the 1930’s.

Avro Limousine with an enclosed area for the 2 riders/passengers.
Picture postcards were sold to folks who came out to see civilian Avro 504’s giving rides and doing stunts. As many as 10,000 Britains received their first aeroplane ride in an Avro 504! I content that this single fact is what made Britain so air minded and better prepared in the later 1930’s for the clouds of war that were looming. Nowhere near as many Americans flew in barnstorming planes during the same period.
A post war 504 outside on the A.V.Roe hangars with a civilian livery painted over the War PC10 green.
In the 1920’s Avro 504’s were refurbished from their drab military colors and spruced up like this “Gosport” 504 trainer G-EBNE. You can see the clipped ailerons and the all silver and black paint scheme.
Another picture postcard showing a civilian Avro 504 with the large Avro lettering but still wearing its service rudder with red white and blue rudder stripes. A set of portable stairs are used on the beach to ease the loading and unloading of passengers.
Folks who went for a ride in a civilian Avro 504 often received a signed paper folder that showed they had, had the experience of flying for the first time. The location, date and time were filled in and the pilot often signed the cards. These cards were provided by the A.V. Roe company to the civilian pilots that were flying their planes. Remarkably, some of them have survived all these years and I have been able to purchase a dozen of more over the years.