View source for Avro Tutor

{{Short description|1929 trainer aircraft family}}
{{Distinguish|Avro Tudor}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= Avro 621 Tutor
 |image= File:Avro Tutor ‘K3241’ (G-AHSA) (30226029807).jpg
 |caption= Avro Type 621 Tutor of the [[Shuttleworth Collection]]
 |type=Trainer
 |national_origin= United Kingdom
 |manufacturer=[[Avro]]
 |designer=[[Roy Chadwick]]
 |first_flight= September 1929
 |introduction= 1933
 |retired=1941
 |status=
 |primary_user=[[Royal Air Force]]
 |more_users=
 |produced=
 |number_built=606
 |variants=[[Avro Prefect|Avro 626]], [[PWS-18]]
}}

The '''Avro Type 621 Tutor'''<ref>Jackson 1990, pp. 283–291.</ref><ref>Thetford 1957, pp. 46–47.</ref> is a two-seat British radial-engined [[biplane]] from the interwar period. It was a simple but rugged basic [[trainer (aircraft)|trainer]] that was used by the [[Royal Air Force]] as well as many other air arms worldwide.

==Design and development==
The Avro Model 621 was designed by [[Roy Chadwick]] as an Avro private venture metal replacement for the [[Avro 504]]. Conceived as a light initial pilot trainer, the biplane design featured heavily staggered equal-span, single-bay wings; the construction was based on steel tubing (with some wooden components in the wing ribs) with [[aircraft dope|doped]] [[linen]] covering. A conventional, fixed divided main undercarriage with tailskid was used in all but the latest aircraft, which had a tailwheel.

The Model 621 was powered either by a 155&nbsp;hp (116&nbsp;kW) [[Armstrong Siddeley Mongoose]] or [[Armstrong Siddeley Lynx]] IV (180&nbsp;hp/130&nbsp;kW) or IVC (240&nbsp;hp/179&nbsp;kW) engine; later Lynx-powered models had the engine enclosed in a [[Townend ring]] cowling. The Mongoose-powered version was called the 621 Trainer and the more numerous Lynx-engined aircraft the Tutor. The Tutor also differed by having a more rounded rudder.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/avro-621-tutor |title=Avro 621 Tutor |website=BAE Systems |access-date=12 June 2024 |archive-date=12 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612141043/https://www.baesystems.com/en/heritage/avro-621-tutor |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first flight of the prototype G-AAKT was in September 1929, piloted by Avro chief test pilot Captain Harry Albert "Sam" Brown.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-aircraft/avro-tutor.php | title=Avro Tutor |website= Classic Warbirds }}</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:Avro Tutor. Gosport. 21-05-1937 MOD 45130346.jpg|thumb|left|Avro Tutor, 1937]]
Production was started against an order for three Tutors from the [[Irish Free State]] and 21 Trainers from the Royal Air Force. The RAF required a replacement for the wooden [[Avro 504]], and after three years of trials against other machines such as the [[Hawker Tomtit]] it was adopted as their basic trainer, supplanting the 504 in 1933 and remaining in this role until 1939. As well as the first batch of 21 Trainers, a total of 381 Tutors and 15 Avro 646 Sea Tutors were eventually ordered by the RAF. RAF units to operate the type in quantity included the [[Royal Air Force College]], the [[Central Flying School]] and Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 Flying Training Schools.<ref>Halley, 1976, pp. 22–23</ref>

Subsequently, the Model 621 achieved substantial foreign sales. A.V. Roe and Co exported 29 for the Greek Air Force, six for the Royal Canadian Air Force, five for the [[Guangxi]] AF, three for the Irish AF (where it was known as the Triton) and two for each of the South African and Polish AFs. In addition 57 were licence-built in South Africa, and three licence-built by the Danish Naval Shipyard.
[[File:Avro 621 Tutor K3215 Shuttleworth ABIN 15.06.68 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|The sole surviving Tutor wearing the 1930s yellow training colour scheme at [[RAF Abingdon]] in 1968]]
A total of 30 Tutors were exported to the Greek Air Force and at least 61 were licence-built <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haf.gr/en/mission/weapons/historic/1935_1940/Avro_621_Tutor.asp |website=Hellenic Air Force |title= Avro 621 Tutor |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930232844/http://www.haf.gr/en/mission/weapons/historic/1935_1940/Avro_621_Tutor.asp}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.haf.gr/en/history/historical-aircraft/avro-621-tutor/|website=Hellenic Air Force|title=Avro 621 Tutor|access-date=16 December 2022|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216075225/https://www.haf.gr/en/history/historical-aircraft/avro-621-tutor/|url-status=live}}</ref> in Greece by [[KEA (aircraft)|KEA]]. A number of Greek Tutors was incorporated in combat squadrons after Greece's entrance in WWII, used as army cooperation aircraft.

Known for its good handling, the type was often featured at air shows. Over 200 Avro Tutors and five Sea Tutors remained in RAF service at the beginning of the Second World War.

The 621 was designed as a military trainer and few reached the civil registers. In the 1930s, in addition to ten prototypes and demonstrators, two were used by [[Alan Cobham]]'s ''Flying Circus'' and two trainers were retired from the RAF into private use. One 621 was used from new by Australian National Airways. After the war another four ex-RAF 621s appeared on the civil register.

==Variants==
;Avro 621 Trainer (Mongoose powered)
:Two-seat primary training aircraft.
;Avro 621 Tutor (Lynx powered)
:Two-seat primary training aircraft.
;Avro 621 Tutor II
:One aircraft was modified into a two-bay biplane.
;Avro 623
:Three-seat version of the Type 621 Tutor upgraded for use in Tanganyika as aerial survey aircraft. Three were built between May and December 1930 and issued to the Director of Surveys of Tanganyika. Powered by a 240 hp Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx IV.
;Avro 646 Sea Tutor
:Two-seat seaplane fitted with twin floats, 15 built

;PWS-18
:Polish-built licence version with {{cvt|200|hp}} [[Wright J-5]] engine. 40 built 1935–36. Still in service with Polish Air Force in 1939.<ref name=Cynk>Cynk 1971, pp.426–427</ref>

==Operators==
;{{CZS}}
* [[Czechoslovak Air Force]] pilots operated at least one aircraft in [[No. 310 Squadron RAF|310 Fighter Squadron RAF]].<ref>Vančata 2006, p. 2.</ref>
;{{DNK}}
* [[Royal Danish Navy]] operated five aircraft.
;{{flag|Canada|1921}}
* [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] operated six aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rcaf.com/aircraft/trainers/tutor621/index.php?name=Avro%20Tutor |title=Avro 621 Tutor |website=RCAF.com |url-status=dead |access-date=1 May 2007 |archive-date=22 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922195659/http://www.rcaf.com/aircraft/trainers/tutor621/index.php?name=Avro%20Tutor }}</ref>
;{{China as ROC}}
* [[Chinese Nationalist Air Force]] (Kwangsi Airforce) operated five aircraft.
;{{flag|Iraq|1924}}
* [[Iraqi Air Force]] operated three aircraft.
;{{IRL}}
* [[Irish Air Corps]] operated three aircraft.
;{{flag|Greece|old}}
* [[Hellenic Air Force]] operated about 90 aircraft.
;{{POL}}
* [[Polish Air Force]] received two aircraft from Avro, plus 40 from PWS.<ref name=Cynk/>
;{{flag|South Africa|1928}}
* [[South African Air Force]] operated 60 aircraft.
;{{UK}}
* [[Royal Air Force]] received 417 aircraft.
* [[Royal Navy]] [[Fleet Air Arm]]

[[File:Avro Tutor 2008.jpg|thumb|The [[Shuttleworth Collection]]'s Avro Tutor'' K3215/G-AHSA'']]

==Surviving aircraft==

G-AHSA was used for communication duties during the Second World War, struck off December 1946 and purchased by Wing Commander Heywood. After suffering engine failure in the early stages of the filming of ''[[Reach for the Sky]]'', it was purchased by the [[Shuttleworth Collection]] and restored to flying condition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shuttleworth.org/shuttleworth-collection/aircraft-details.asp?ID=25 |website=The Shuttleworth Collection |title=1933 - Avro Tutor |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031035735/http://www.shuttleworth.org/shuttleworth-collection/aircraft-details.asp?ID=25 |access-date= 8 April 2010}}</ref>

Up to the end of 2003, G-AHSA was still flying as K3215 in RAF trainer yellow.  Since January 2004 it has flown painted as K3241 in the colours of the [[Central Flying School]]. (The real K3241 built in 1933, served RAF College [[Cranwell]], until transferred to the CFA in 1936.)

==Specifications (Tutor)==
[[File:Avro 621 Trainer 3-view NACA Aircraft Circular No.119.jpg|thumb|Avro 621 Trainer 3-view drawing from NACA Aircraft Circular No.119]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Avro Aircraft since 1908 <ref name="Jackson Avro p290">Jackson 1990, p. 290.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=2
|length ft=26
|length in=4.5
|length note=
|span ft=34
|span in=0
|span note=
|height ft=9
|height in=7
|height note=
|wing area sqft=301
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=<!--'''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |accessdate=16 April 2019}}</ref>-->
|empty weight lb=1844
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=2493
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Armstrong Siddeley Lynx IVC]]
|eng1 type=7-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 hp=240
|eng1 note=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=120
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=97
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed note=
|range miles=250
|range note=
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=16000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|climb rate ftmin=910
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|sink rate ftmin=<!-- sailplanes -->
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|more performance=<!--<br />
*'''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
*'''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[Avro 626]]
* [[Avro 637]]
* [[Avro 643 Cadet]]
* [[Avro Prefect]]
* [[PWS-18]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann]]
* [[Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann]]
* [[Repülőgépgyár Levente II]]
* [[de Havilland Tiger Moth]]
* [[Hawker Tomtit]]
* [[PWS-26]]
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force]]
|see also=
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book|author=Cynk, Jerzy B. |title=Polish Aircraft 1893–1939|location=London|publisher=Putnam |year=1971|isbn=0-370-00085-4}}
* {{cite book|author=Halley, J.J. |title=Royal Air Force Aircraft K1000 to K9999|location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd|year= 1976 |isbn=0-85130-048-0}}
* {{cite book|author=Jackson, A.J. |title=Avro Aircraft since 1908|edition=2nd|location=London|publisher= Putnam Aeronautical Books|year= 1990|isbn=0-85177-834-8}}
* {{cite periodical|author=Jenks, Roy|title=RAF Piston Trainers: No. 4: Avro Tutor|magazine=[[Aeroplane Monthly]]|volume= 7|issue=3|date=March 1979|pages=142–147}}
* {{cite book|author=Thetford. O. |title=Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1918–57|location=London |publisher=Putnam|year= 1957}}
* {{cite periodical|author=Vančata, Pavel|title=Cechoslováci v zahraničním odboji|magazine=Revi (bi-monthly magazine) |issue=65|publisher=Ostrava-Poruba: REVI Publications|year=2006|issn=1211-0744|lang=cs}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Avro Tutor}}
* [http://www.shuttleworth.org/collection/avrotutor/ Shuttleworth Collection, Avro Tutor details] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210220012/http://www.shuttleworth.org/collection/avrotutor/ |date=10 December 2015 }}

{{Avro aircraft}}
{{Aircraft manufactured in Canada}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1920s British military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:Avro aircraft|Tutor]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1929]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]