Avro Prefect

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The Avro 626 Prefect is a single engined British biplane trainer from the inter war period.

History

The prototype was first flown in 1930. The 626 was developed by Avro from the company's Model Avro 621 Tutor for export to smaller air forces, the idea being the 626 was to create one aircraft that could perform all training roles. Compared with the pilot training oriented 621, the 626 had an additional cockpit with a scarff ring and carried equipment for air navigation, wireless and gunnery training. Like the Tutor, it was a conventional fabric covered metal airframe with single bay wings, with open cockpits in line astern. The name Prefect was only used by the RAF and RNZAF.

Production

198 Avro 626s were produced.

Argentina received 15.
Belgium 12, 2 of which were still in service at the time of the German invasion in 1940.
Canada received an uncertain number. RCAF machines featured cold weather cowlings, enclosed cockpits and skis. They were issued to No. 3 Squadron and no. 111 squadron; they survived until early World War II.
China received 8, which served in the Sino-Japanese War.
Chile
Czechoslovakia received one and Tatra manufactured an uncertain number under licence.
Egypt received 27 - their first military aircraft, as distinct from DH60 Moths. Egyptian 626s served from 1933 until 1944.
Estonia
Greece received an uncertain number. 21 were in service at the time of the Italian invasion, 3 Hellenic Air Force machines escaped the fall of Greece to join the RAF in the desert.
Ireland (Eire) received 7, which served until 1941.
Lithuania received an uncertain number, the type was still in service at the time of the Russian invasion.
New Zealand received four Lynx-engined but 3 cockpit aircraft for theRNZAF in 1935. These were used by No 1 Flying Training School. NZ203, c/n 811, survived the war and was purchased by Mr. J. Frogley in 1948 who registered it as ZK-APC. APC ceased flying in 1958 but in the 1980s it was acquired by the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum and returned to the air. It is the sole 626 known to survive.
Portugal received 10.
Spain received an uncertain number, which served with the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War.
The United Kingdom received seven two-seater versions with Lynx IVC engines for air navigation; it named these Prefects in RAF service. Delivered in 1935, they operated during World War II on miscellaneous duties.

Specifications

Weight (Empty): 1,765 lb ( 801 kg)

Weight (Max Loaded): 2,750 lb ( 1,247 kg)

Span: 34 ft 0 in ( 10.36 m)

Length: 26 ft 6 in ( 8.08 m)

Height: 9 ft 7 in ( 2.92m)

Wing Area: 300 sq ft (27.87 m)

Max Speed: 112 mph ( 180 km/h)

Cruising Speed: 95 mph ( 153 km/h)

Service Ceiling: 14,800 ft (4,511 m)

Range: 240 mi ( 386 km)

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