AVRO 504 CLUB
AVRO, as a company, was formed in January 1910 in Manchester by Alliott Verdon-Roe, less than two years after his historic Triplane flight on 8th June 1908. This flight, incidentally, was the first time that a British-designed and British-built aircraft had got off the ground under its own power, piloted by its designer and constructor. The company based in Manchester continued to expand and became a major aerospace concern. Although Sir Alliott severed his connection with the company in 1927, he continued to retain a strong interest in its affairs and great pride in its progress.
It was in 1913 that AV had designed the AVRO 504 and all the founder members of the Club had been involved in its production. The aircraft represented a tremendous advance over the other aircraft of its day, and a measure of its qualities was that it virtually became the standard trainer for air forces and flying schools throughout the world, examples remaining in service right up to the start of World War II.
On 19th August 1949, J.C.C. "Joe" Taylor, Aviation Manager of Shell Mex & BP, who had been an apprentice with A .V. Roe & Co. Limited in 1913, wrote to Sir Roy Dobson, then Managing Director of A V Roe & Co. Limited, suggesting that old apprentices of AVRO be rounded up for a reunion. Enquiries were restricted to apprentices with the company prior to 1915. The enormity of the task can be appreciated when it is realised that by September 1951 only 30 old apprentices had been traced.
The first dinner was held at the Cafe Royal, London, on 27th February 1952 with Sir Roy presiding. It was a unique gathering many of those present had not seen each other for thirty seven years and during the occasion two important decisions were taken. First, that those present should form themselves into a club and to call it the AVRO 504 Club and, secondly, to subscribe to the purchase of a trophy to be presented to AVRO for annual competition and to be awarded to the best apprentice on completion of training. The winner of the trophy should attend the next dinner to receive the award from Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe, designer of the AVRO 504 aircraft John Taylor, the best apprentice for 1952, was presented as the first winner of the AVRO 504 Club Trophy. It was also decided that winners of the trophy should be made members of the AVRO 504 Club for life. Sir Roy Dobson was elected first President of the Club and Sir Thomas Sopwith accepted the invitation to be the Club's Patron.
The annual reunion dinner held on 28th February 1958 was a sad occasion, for Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe had died only a few weeks before on 4th January. His son, Geoffrey Verdon-Roe, attended as Guest of Honour and was elected as Honorary Member of the Club
From the perilous pioneering days and "teaching the world to fly" with the immortal AVRO 504, well over 30,000 aircraft of Manchester design have so far been built. A record of which to be proud and on which to build for the future - and a tremendous tribute to the pioneering genius of Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe.