[voyager_663rd]

I suggested (on his log) the AVRO 504K. Here is a blurb:

Borden, the RCAF and the Avro 504

Mar. 24, 1999

Camp Borden, November 30th, 1921. Two Avro 504K fly-by the flag post in front of Wing Headquarters (DND Archives RE-13081)

By MCpl John Bergsma, ACPDTC

As in past years, a theme aircraft will highlight this year's RCAF 75th anniversary celebrations in Borden, and the fitting choice this year is the Avro 504K. Not only did this aircraft dominate the airfield at Borden in the early years, it was perhaps the most important aircraft in the fledgling Royal Canadian Air Force.

In its time, the Avro 504 was arguably the most useful aircraft; during World War One when it won renown in successful attacks on Zeppelin hangars in Germany dropping its payload of four 20lb. bombs, and even more so post-war as a trainer. When the world demobilized after the war, surplus aeroplanes of the British air services were given to many countries of the commonwealth in the form of "The Imperial Gift" of 1919, intended to encourage the maintenance of air power in the empire. Canada, after some negotiations based on our unique requirements, acquired 62 Avro 504Ks and assorted other types in the total number of 114 aircraft.

Canada wanted to put these aircraft to some military use, and so from this largesse of King George V, Canada built the new Canadian Air Force and commenced refresher training for war veteran pilots in 1920. The Avro remained the principal trainer in Canada throughout the twenties. It was struck off strength in 1934. Thus the 504K claims another first in that it was the first trainer of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

and this:

The AVRO 504K (shown in post-WWI Canadian colours) came in single-seat and double-seat forms, the two-seater was the most common. It was initially used as a bomber in France, but was quickly relegated to the role of fighter pilot trainer and Zeppelin interceptor when the Fokker E.III showed up on the front. The single-seat 504c and d models were relegated to Zeppelin interceptions with the Home Defence Force. The AVRO 504 had the distinction of being the first Allied aircraft shot down in battle, and it made the first bombing run over Germany. As a trainer it was sufficiently nimble to give the novice fighter pilot the idea of how "scout" aircraft operated. Many new fighter pilots found the AVRO to be a revelation in aerial dynamics, having flown previously in the fragile Farmans, and the ponderous BE2cs. The 504 first flew in 1913, and the last was made in 1933 (504n). It was used as England's first-line trainer during and after WWI.

Technical Details
The AVRO 504K was powered by the 100 hp Gnome Monosoupape (single exhaust) engine. It's top speed was 82 mph (132 km/h) and it had a ceiling of 13,000 ft (3960 m). The 504 was an acceptable trainer, it could climb to 10,000 ft in 19 minutes and it could stay aloft for 3 hours. It was armed with a 0.303 Lewis machine gun on the upper wing and it carried racks for four 20 lb bombs. The skid was used to prevent tipping onto the nose during rough landings, a useful feature for a trainer.