THE LEAN YEARS 1920-1929

(Monochrome Photograph showing - Avro 504K airframes at the new Newton Heath factory in 1919.)

By the end of the First World War, A.V.Roe & Co. was established as one of the major aircraft manufacturers in Great Britain, however the large Government contracts were virtually cancelled overnight following the Armistice. This left the entire industry with large workforces, and in the case of Avro with a brand new factory, but little or no orders. Many workmen were laid off.

In order to keep as many employed as possible the management were obliged to diversify. In anticipation of a boom in the market for motor cars, the company commenced production of its own design saloon car. In addition, the factory embarked on the manufacture of such diverse products as snooker tables, baby carriages and even coffins!

Motor car production ceased in May 1920 when Crossley Motors acquired a major shareholding, but Avro continued to produce car bodies.

(Monochrome Photographs - showing Avro Car Bodies.)