THE AVRO 688/689 Tudor -1

As early as 1943 the UK Government began considering the requirements for post-war commercial aviation. Avro's Chief Designer Roy Chadwick came forward with a plan to build a trans-Atlantic airliner based on the new long-range version of the Lancaster to be known as the Lincoln. A new pressurised fuselage would replace the Lincoln's to accommodate 24 day or 12 night passengers. A contract
was placed for two prototypes to be named the Tudor.

(Monochrome Photograph showing - The prototype Tudor at Ringway prior to its first flight on June 14th. 1945 flown by Bill Thorn.)

Early testing revealed aerodynamic and fuel consumption problems to be overcome. The Ministry had ordered the Tudor for BOAC with a planned introduction into service in early 1946, but this soon became unrealistic as problems continued to persist. In April 1947 BOAC announced that the Tudor was unsuitable, but British South American Airways were to receive a lengthened version, the Tudor IV capable of
carrying 32 passengers on their Latin American services.

(Colour Photograph showing - A Tudor IV of BSAA.)