AVRO 549 Aldershot
The Company was struggling to survive in the early 1920s,producing small numbers of Avro 504Ks, augmented by Contracts to repair and overhaul existing RAF 504s. A small upturn in fortune came in 1923: The Avro Aldershot was a single engined heavy bomber designed by Roy Chadwick to a1920 Air Ministry Specification. Not only was it the largest aircraft built by Avro's to date, but it was the first with a metal fuselage structure. Following development work at Avro's experimental works at Hamble on the Solent near Southampton, fifteen Aldershots were ordered for the RAF to equip No.99 Squadron at Bircham Newton, Norfolk. This turned out to be the largest single engined aircraft the RAF ever flew with a wingspan of 68 ft.
(Monochrome Photograph showing - An Avro Aldershot at Hamble in 1923.)
AVRO 555 Bison
In addition, the Avro Bison deck-landing reconnaissance aircraft entered service with the Fleet Air Arm. A total of 53 were built between 1922 and 1927 at Newton Heath. The later machines were tested and delivered from Woodford, but earlier Bisons were tested at Alexandra Park (as were the Aldershots), but when that closed, from Sealand, near Chester until Woodford was suitable.
(Monochrome Photograph showing - An Avro Bison of the Fleet Air Arm.)