While the Admiralty had not placed an order for the Avro 523 Pike there was some interest in the Potential of the aircraft. During 1916, two prototypes were ordered for evaluation in a long-range bombing role and were in effect slightly larger version of the 523. Apart from dimensional changes, the wings were made to fold, from jus outboard of the engines, the tail unit was revised, and the powerplant of the first completed, as Avro 529, comprised two counter-rotating Rolls-Royce Falcon engines, mounted between the wings and driving tractor propellers. The second prototype, the Avro 529A, was similar except for the installation of two 230 hp / 172 kW Galloway-built B.H.P. inline engines mounted on the lower wing, and a revised fuel system. Forward-looking features of the design provided the front gunner / bomb aimer with dual controls, plus Gosport tube communication with the pilot so that he could guide him during a bombing attack. However, performance was not good enough, and only the two prototypes were built.
Avro 529
Engine: 2 x 190hp Rolls-Royce Falcon I water-cooled in-line
Take-off weight: 2864 kg / 6314 lb
Empty weight: 2150 kg / 4740 lb
Wingspan: 19.20 m / 63 ft 0 in
Length: 12.09 m / 40 ft 8 in
Height: 3.96 m / 13 ft 0 in
Wing area: 85.70 sq.m / 922.47 sq ft
Max. speed: 153 km/h / 95 mph
Ceiling: 4115 m / 13500 ft
Armament: 2 x 7.7mm machine-guns
Crew: 3
Avro 529A
Engines: 2 x BHP inline piston, 230 hp
Length: 39.67ft (12.09m)
Width: 62.99ft (19.20m)
Height: 12.99ft (3.96m)
Empty Weight: 4,736lbs (2,148kg)
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 6,310lbs (2,862kg)
Maximum Speed: 95mph (153kmh; 83kts)
Maximum Range: 360miles (580km)
Rate-of-Climb: 715ft/min (218m/min)
Service Ceiling: 13,501ft (4,115m)
Armament:
Standard:
1 x 7.7mm (0.303 caliber) Lewis machine gun on trainable mount in nose cockpit.
1 x 7.7mm (0.303 caliber) Lewis machine gun on trainable mount in rear dorsal cockpit.
Optional:
20 x 50lb conventional drop bombs. Up to 1,000lbs of bombs.
Accommodation: 3
All Aero 