History[]
Built in 1918 as an Avro 504K, between 1925-32 H5199 was converted to an Avro 504N with an Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx engine and revised undercarriage. It was sold by the RAF as surplus to their requirements in 1933. Purchased by Air Publicity Ltd, it was registered on the civil register as G-ADEV. In July 1937 ‘DEV won the Devon Air Race at an average speed of 103mph. Later it came fourth in the Thanet Air Race at Ramsgate with an average speed of 104mph.
The Avro was normally based at Portsmouth and in 1939 was impressed into the RAF again as BK892. It was used by the RAF along with six other Avro 504Ns to tow gliders for radar tests. BK892 was retired from the RAF in June 1942. After the war the 504 was rediscovered and was sent to Avro at Woodford for restoration back to Avro 504K status and flying condition. This was completed in July 1955 and the newly restored Avro 504K, painted as E3404, starred in the film ‘Reach for the Sky’.
After filming was completed the 504 was transferred to the Shuttleworth Collection. In 1984 the Avro was repainted into the correct H5199 colours and continues flying in these colours today.[1]
Notes[]
- ↑ Painted as E3404.