Avro 685 York

Developed from the Lancaster bomber, the original prototype first flew in July 1942 using the wings, engines, landing gear and tail from the Lancaster. A new all-metal square-section large capacity fuselage was introduced.

The first prototype was converted to the one-off Mk 2 York, with Bristol Hercules radial engines; and the third prototype “Ascalon” became Churchill's wartime transport.
Production by Avro during 1945-48 included 208 for the RAF Transport Command, and civil Yorks were built for BOAC (25), British South American Airways (12), Flota Aerea Mercante Argentina (5) and Skyways (3). One additional York was built by Victory Aircraft, Canada.

RAF and BOAC Yorks were withdrawn from service in 1957. Surplus Yorks were used by airlines in the Near East, South Africa and Canada and by the French Navy.

Engines: 4 x Rolls-Royce Merlin XX, 954kW
Take-off weight: 31115 kg / 68597 lb
Empty weight: 19069 kg / 42040 lb
Wingspan: 31.09 m / 102 ft 0 in
Length: 23.93 m / 79 ft 6 in
Height: 5.44 m / 18 ft 10 in
Wing area: 120.42 sq.m / 1296.19 sq ft
Max. speed: 480 km/h / 298 mph
Cruise speed: 338 km/h / 210 mph
Ceiling: 7010 m / 23000 ft
Range: 4345 km / 2700 miles

Avro 685 York C Mk 1
Length : 78.511 ft / 23.93 m
Height : 17.848 ft / 5.44 m
Wingspan : 102.001 ft / 31.09 m
Wing area : 1296.954 sq.ft / 120.49 sq.m
Max take off weight : 68608.6 lb / 31115.0 kg
Weight empty : 42047.1 lb / 19069.0 kg
Max. speed : 259 kts / 480 km/h
Cruising speed : 183 kts / 338 km/h
Service ceiling : 22999 ft / 7010 m
Wing load : 52.89 lb/sq.ft / 258.0 kg/sq.m
Range : 2346 nm / 4345 km
Engine : 4 x Rolls Royce Merlin XX, 1262 hp
Crew : 4
Payload : 12-56pax / 4536kg