View source for Avro York

{{Short description|1942 transport aircraft family by Avro}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name=Type 685 York
 |image=Avro York.jpg
 |caption= LV633 ''Ascalon'', Churchill's personal aircraft
 |type=[[Transport]]
 |manufacturer=[[Avro]]
 |designer=[[Roy Chadwick]]
 |first_flight=5 July 1942
 |introduction=1944
 |retired=1964
 |status=Two examples on display
 |primary_user=[[Royal Air Force]]
 |more_users=[[British Overseas Airways Corporation|BOAC]]<br />[[British South American Airways]]<br />[[Skyways Ltd]]
 |produced=1943–1948
 |number_built=258 (including 4 prototypes)
 |unit cost=
 |variants=
 |developed_from = [[Avro Lancaster]]
}}

The '''Avro York''' was a British transport aircraft developed by [[Avro]] during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. The design was derived from the [[Avro Lancaster]] [[heavy bomber]], several sections of the York and Lancaster being identical. Due to the importance of Lancaster production, York output proceeded slowly until 1944, after which a higher priority was placed upon transport aircraft.

The York saw service in military and civilian roles with various operators between 1943 and 1964. In civilian service, [[British South American Airways]] (BSAA) and [[British Overseas Airways Corporation]] (BOAC) were the largest users of the type. In military service, large numbers of Yorks were used for air-supply missions during the [[Berlin Blockade]] 1948–49. A number of the type were used as [[air transports of heads of state and government]]; [[VIP]]s who flew on Yorks included British Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]], French General [[Charles de Gaulle]], [[Governor-General of India]] [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Lord Mountbatten]] and South African [[Prime Minister of South Africa|Prime Minister]] [[Jan Smuts]].

==Development==

===Origins===
During 1941, [[Avro]] elected to begin development of a new civil-orientated transport aircraft.<ref name = "hannah 3"/> In the midst of an uncertain stage of the Second World War, Britain's aircraft industry was preoccupied by urgent wartime demands, not only to produce military aircraft, but to design increasingly capable models as well. The company's decision to embark on this venture was considered to be ambitious, especially as the development project operated with no official backing early on.<ref name = "hannah 3"/> The project may well have been influenced by a shortage of transport aircraft, as well as by the formation of the [[British Overseas Airways Corporation]] (BOAC), in 1940, to run all of the nation's overseas civil air routes. However, according to aviation author Donald Hannah, there was little incentive and few materials available for the construction of transport aircraft, it was impossible to predict when the war would end and, thus, when large-scale demand for civil aircraft would return.<ref name = "hannah 3">Hannah 1967, p. 3.</ref>

[[Roy Chadwick]], Avro's chief designer, had foreseen a need for a transport aircraft that was powered by four engines and would be capable of flying for long distances. The design, which was designated as the ''Type 685'', had its origins in the company's then-newly developed four-engined bomber, the [[Avro Lancaster]], which had made its first flight only earlier that year.<ref name = "hannah 3"/> The ''Type 685'' paired various elements of the Lancaster, such as its wings, tail assembly and [[Landing gear|undercarriage]] and [[Rolls-Royce Merlin]] engines, with a new square-section fuselage that provided double the internal capacity of the Lancaster. The two aircraft also substantially differed in external appearance.<ref name = "hannah 3"/>

In February 1942, Chadwick submitted his drawings to Avro's experimental department. Within five months, the company refined the design and had quickly assembled an initial prototype. On 5 July 1942, the York prototype, ''LV626'', conducted its [[maiden flight]] from [[Manchester Airport|Ringway Airport]], [[Manchester]].<ref name = "hannah 3"/> It had initially been fitted with the twin fins and [[rudder]]s of the Lancaster but the increased fuselage side area forward of the wing compared to the Lancaster necessitated fitting a third central fin to retain adequate control and directional stability; the third fin was fitted as standard on subsequent production aircraft.<ref name=rafm/><ref name = "hannah 4"/> Flight trials of ''LV626'' were quickly transferred to [[MoD Boscombe Down|RAF Boscombe Down]]. In response to the prototype's favourable performance during trials, the [[Air Ministry]] issued an order for three more prototypes of various configurations to be built along with an initial production batch under [[List of Air Ministry Specifications|Specification C.1/42]], part of Operational Requirement OR.113 for a new transport aircraft.<ref name = "hannah 3"/>

The prototypes were used to test various adaptions and potential roles for the aircraft. ''LV626'', the first prototype, was rebuilt to the ''C.II standard'', the principal modification of which was the installation of [[Bristol Hercules|Bristol Hercules VI]] [[radial engine]]s in place of the Merlins; it was later decided to standardise on the Merlin engine, leaving this as the sole Hercules-powered York.<ref name = "hannah 4"/> The fourth prototype, ''LV639'', was furnished as a [[Paratrooper|paratroop transport]], complete with ventral dropping doors. However, flight testing found that the York was unsuited to this role, due to the [[slipstream]] wash drawing the parachutes towards the fixed [[Conventional landing gear|tailwheel]], posing an entanglement risk.<ref name = "hannah 4"/>

===Production===
Production of the York proved difficult to speed up, due to shortages of key materials. Moreover, Avro was also obliged to place a high priority on the manufacturing and refinement of the Lancaster.<ref name = "hannah 3"/> Officials had also judged that there was no requirement for large numbers of Yorks at that time.<ref name = "hannah 3 4">Hannah 1967, pp. 3–4.</ref> By the end of 1943, only the four prototypes and three production aircraft had been manufactured, but production was scheduled to rise to three aircraft per month throughout 1944.<ref name = "hannah 5">Hannah 1967, p. 5.</ref> Early production Yorks were principally used as a VIP transport aircraft; notably, the third prototype, ''LV633'' being luxuriously fitted out and becoming the personal transport of Winston Churchill.<ref name = "hannah 4">Hannah 1967, p. 4.</ref>

[[File:York-i.jpg|thumb|left|RAF York]]
On 25 March 1943, [[RAF Transport Command]] had been formed, which soon established a clear requirement for the strengthening of Britain's air transport forces; the York became the first British aircraft to be used in quantity by Transport Command. The first [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) production order consisted of 200 aircraft; while a further 100 were ordered under a second order placed shortly after.<ref name = "hannah 5"/> Throughout 1944, the majority of Yorks produced were passenger transport aircraft, a batch of both pure [[Cargo aircraft|freighter]]s and [[Combi aircraft|combined passenger/freighter]]-configured Yorks were also manufactured.<ref name = "hannah 5"/> Several early production aircraft intended for RAF service were instead diverted to BOAC, who had otherwise received little in the way of similar aircraft prior to delivery of the first York in April 1944.<ref name = "hannah 5"/>

Initial assembly and testing of production Yorks, which were principally destined for service with the RAF at that time, was performed at Ringway, reaching its peak in 1945; these activities later being transferred to facilities in [[Yeadon Airport|Yeadon]], [[Leeds]] and [[Woodford Aerodrome|Woodford]], [[Cheshire]], where work was undertaken at a slower pace.<ref name=rafm>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201004202128/http://www.rafmuseum.org/cosford/collections/aircraft/avro-york-c1.cfm "Avro York C1."] ''Royal Air Force Museum''. Retrieved: 24 October 2006.</ref><ref name = "hannah 5"/> Only eight aircraft of the second order for 100 aircraft were produced; in April 1948, the final York, ''PE108'', was completed.<ref name = "hannah 5"/>

Abroad, a single pattern aircraft was completed by [[Victory Aircraft]] in Canada; however, no further orders were received. Victory had tooled up for the manufacture of 30 aircraft and had built parts for five aircraft, but, ultimately, only one would be completed around the time that the war came to an end.<ref>Stewart 1991, p. 14.</ref> This aircraft would later be purchased by Skyways Ltd.<ref name = "hannah 6"/>

==Design==
The Avro York was a high-wing cantilever monoplane, using an all-metal construction, with many similarities to the Lancaster from which it was derived. The wings used a two-spar structure, which housed seven internal fuel tanks between the spars, containing {{convert|2478|impgal}}.<ref name = "hannah 12"/> The outboard panels of the wings were tapered on both edges and were furnished with detachable tips. The wings featured all-metal [[hydraulics|hydraulically]]-actuated split [[trailing edge]] [[Flap (aeronautics)|flap]]s and carried the four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines in four underslung nacelles attached to the front wing spar.<ref name = "hannah 12">Hannah 1967, p. 12.</ref> Each engine drove a three-bladed constant-speed fully [[propeller (aeronautics)#Feathering|feathering]] metal [[propeller]], manufactured by [[de Havilland|de Havilland Hydromatic]]. The fuselage was of a semi-[[monocoque]] construction, complete with a flush-[[rivet]]ted skin, and was built in five separate sections.<ref name = "hannah 12"/> The [[empennage]] featured a triple tail arrangement.<ref>{{cite web |title=THE AVRO YORK : FIRST PICTURES |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205450917 |website=Imperial War Museums |access-date=21 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

In a typical passenger configuration, the York could accommodate a 21-seat three-abreast arrangement split between the fore and aft cabins. The main entrance door was set between the two cabins, along with [[cloakroom]]s and [[aircraft lavatory|lavatory]] and a kitchen and [[baggage hold]] was located at the rear of the cabin.<ref name = "hannah 13">Hannah 1967, p. 13.</ref> Emergency exits were present in the ceiling of each cabin. Passengers were subjected to very noisy conditions due to the aircraft's engines,<ref name="auto" /> but from a pilot's perspective, the York was reasonably pleasant to fly.<ref name = "hannah 11 12">Hannah 1967, pp. 11–12.</ref>

==Operational history==

===Military===
[[File:Avro 685 York G-AGSP BOAC LAP 02.06.53 edited-1.jpg|thumb|BOAC York operating a freight schedule at [[London Heathrow Airport|Heathrow]] in 1953]]

In 1945, [[No. 511 Squadron RAF|No. 511 Squadron]] became the first squadron to be fully equipped with Yorks; eventually a total of ten squadrons of RAF Transport Command were wholly or partially equipped with the York.<ref name = "hannah 5"/> In military service, the York was used on all of the [[Trunk road|trunk route]]s operated by Transport Command, such as the critical [[England]]–[[India]] route. Overall, 208 Yorks were manufactured for the RAF.<ref name = "hannah 5"/>

During the [[Berlin Airlift]], RAF Yorks from seven different squadrons flew over 58,000 sorties to provide the city with vital supplies between 1948 and 1949.<ref name = "hannah 5"/> In total, in excess of 230,000 tons was carried by the York fleet;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://raf.mod.uk/what-we-do/centre-for-air-and-space-power-studies/aspr/apr-vol21-iss2-1-pdf/|title=An Effort of Biblical Proportions - The Berlin Airlift 1948-1949}}</ref> the type had borne 43% of the British contribution, alongside other aircraft such as the [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas Dakota]] and [[Handley Page Hastings]]. Following the end of the Airlift, the RAF retired much of its York fleet; around 40 of these were sold onto civilian operators while many others were scrapped due to the onset of [[corrosion]].<ref name = "hannah 7">Hannah 1967, p. 7.</ref> During the 1950s, numerous military contracts were issued to civilian York operators.<ref name = "hannah 7 10">Hannah 1967, pp. 7, 10.</ref>

In 1954, the French [[Aéronavale]] procured five Yorks from the British Air Ministry and operated the type at [[Paris–Le Bourget Airport|Le Bourget]] for around a year.<ref name="auto">Hannah 1967, p. 11.</ref>

===Civilian===

[[File:Avro 685 York XF919.G-AMUS Air Charter STA 10.4.55 edited-2.jpg|thumb|[[Air Charter Limited|Air Charter]] York taking off from [[London Stansted Airport|London Stansted]] in 1955 on a trooping flight to the [[Suez Canal Zone]]]]
On 21 February 1944, the first civilian York (''G-AGJA''), initially built for the RAF as ''MW103'', received its [[airworthiness certificate]], thus clearing its delivery shortly thereafter to BOAC.<ref name = "hannah 5"/> On 22 April 1944, the York inaugurated an initial UK-[[Morocco]]-[[Cairo]] route. Following the diversion of the first five RAF production Yorks to BOAC, it was decided to allocate a further 60 to the airline<ref name = "hannah 5"/> but in fact only 25 more were delivered to BOAC.<ref>Jackson 1990, p.379</ref> Early BOAC operations were conducted in close collaboration with [[No. 216 Group RAF]]; this led to some early Yorks bearing a confusing combination of both civilian registrations and military external markings.<ref name = "hannah 5"/>

Flights were soon established to [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]], in conjunction with [[South African Airways]]; Yorks assigned to this route fitted with a total of 12 sleeping berths in addition to passenger seating due to the journey time.<ref name = "hannah 5 6">Hannah 1967, pp. 5–6.</ref> The majority of BOAC's York fleet were fully furnished passenger airliners or as combi passenger-cargo aircraft.<ref name = "hannah 5"/>

In the post-war years, BOAC expanded its use of the York considerably, such as on its Cairo to [[Durban]] service, which had previously been operated by [[Short Brothers|Shorts]] [[flying boat]]s.<ref name=jaapt>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080622152136/http://www.jaapteeuwen.com/ww2aircraft/html%2Bpages/avro%2B685%2Byork.htm "Avro 685 York."] ''British Aircraft of World War II'' via ''web.archive.org''. Retrieved: 22 December 2010.</ref> Other airlines also adopted the type, such as its use by [[British South American Airways]] (BSAAC) on their routes to the Caribbean and South America, prior to their merger into BOAC in September 1949.<ref name = "jack 379"/>

On 7 October 1952, BOAC withdrew its Yorks from passenger services, retaining the type for freight operations.<ref name = "hannah 6">Hannah 1967, p. 6.</ref> BOAC's Yorks continued to operate freight schedules until November 1957 when the last example was withdrawn.<ref name = "jack 379">Jackson 1990, p. 379.</ref> After disposal by BOAC and BSAAC, their York fleets were purchased by several UK independent airlines and operated on both passenger and freight flights; these service often included long-distance trooping flights to [[Jamaica]] and other UK garrisons.<ref name = "hannah 6 7">Hannah 1967, pp. 6–7.</ref> The largest York operator out of the independents was Skyways.<ref name = "hannah 10">Hannah 1967, p. 10.</ref> In 1964, the last Yorks were retired from service by Skyways and [[Dan Air]].

When the [[Distant Early Warning Line]] (Dew Line) was being constructed in Canada in the late 1950s, the York was introduced as a freighter by Associated Airways to support the initiative, these being used later in ordinary airline service.<ref name="auto"/> At least one of the Yorks, ''CF-HAS'', was retained, and was in service with [[Transair (Canada)|Transair]] as late as 1961.

===VIP service===
[[File:Avro York - GG flight (AWM P01493-003).jpg|thumb|left|Members of the [[Governor-General's Flight RAAF]] in front of the Vice-Regal Avro York in June 1945]]
The Avro York was, like its Lancaster and Lincoln stablemates, a versatile aircraft. One of the prototypes, ''LV633'', ''Ascalon'', was custom-built as the personal transport and flying conference room for King [[George VI]] and Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945: Avro 685 York. |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205127156 |access-date=23 April 2024 |website=[[Imperial War Museum]]s}} Photo: WM (ATP 11382C)</ref> ''Ascalon'' was to be fitted with a special pressurised "egg" so that VIP passengers could be carried without their having to use an [[oxygen mask]]. Made of aluminium alloy, the enclosure had eight perspex windows to reduce [[claustrophobia]]. It also had a telephone, an instrument panel, drinking facilities and an ashtray with room for cigars, a [[thermos flask]], newspapers and books. Testing at [[RAE Farnborough]] found the "egg" to work satisfactorily. Avro said it was too busy with the new Lancaster IV ([[Avro Lincoln]]) work so it was never installed in ''Ascalon''. It was considered for installation in the successor aircraft, a [[C-54 Skymaster|Douglas C-54]]B but the contractor [[Armstrong Whitworth]] decided it was impractical and the project was shelved. The whereabouts of "Churchill's Egg" are not known.<ref>''Aeroplane Monthly'' January 1983.</ref>

''MW140'', ''Endeavour'', flew to [[Australia]] in 1945 to become the personal aircraft of [[Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester|the Duke of Gloucester]], Australia's Governor-General.<ref name="Wilson">{{cite book|last1=Wilson|first1=Stewart|title=Military Aircraft of Australia|date=1994|publisher=Aerospace Publications|location=Weston Creek, Australia|isbn=1875671080|pages=216}}</ref> It was operated by the [[Governor-General's Flight RAAF|Governor-General's Flight]] from 1945 to 1947; it was the [[Royal Australian Air Force]]'s only York.<ref name="Wilson" /> Another York, ''MW102'' was fitted out as a "flying office" for the use of the [[Viceroy of India]] and C-in-C [[South East Asia Command]], [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Lord Mountbatten]]. During its first major overhaul by Avro at Manchester (Ringway) in 1945, the aircraft was repainted a light duck egg green, a shade intended to cool down the aeroplane, instead of its former normal camouflage colour scheme. South African leader [[Jan Smuts]] also used a York as his personal transport. [[Air Chief Marshal]] Sir [[Trafford Leigh-Mallory]] was killed on 14 November 1944, while flying to his new posting in [[Ceylon]] to take command of Allied air operations in the Pacific, when York ''MW126'' struck a ridge in the [[French Alps]] in a blizzard, {{convert|30|mi|km}} south of [[Grenoble]], France. His wife Dora and eight aircrew also died. The wreckage was found by a villager in June 1945.

==Variants==
;Avro 685 prototypes
:''LV626'' – prototype first flown with twin-tail and later converted to C.II standard
:''LV629'' – prototype fitted with passenger seats
:''LV633'' – prototype fitted as a flying conference room, later used by Winston Churchill
:''LV639'' – prototype fitted as a paratroop drop variant with a drop hatch in the floor
;York I
:Four-engined civilian transport aircraft, 45 built<ref name="Jackson 1990, pp.381-383">Jackson 1990, pp.381-383</ref>
;York C.I
:Four-engined military transport aircraft for the RAF, 208 built by Avro and one by Victory Aircraft.<ref name="Jackson 1990, pp.381-383"/>
;York C.II
:One prototype York aircraft converted with four [[Bristol Hercules|Bristol Hercules XVI]] radial piston engines.

==Operators==

===Military operators===
;{{AUS}}
* Royal Australian Air Force
** [[Governor-General's Flight RAAF]]
;{{FRA}}
* [[French Air Force]]
* [[Aeronavale]]
;{{flag|South Africa|1928}}
* [[South African Air Force]]
;{{UK}}
* [[Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment]] (Boscombe Down)
* [[Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment]] (Beaulieu)
* [[Royal Aircraft Establishment]] (Farnborough)
* Royal Air Force
** [[No. 24 Squadron RAF]] 1943–1951 at various bases in England
** [[No. 40 Squadron RAF]] 1947–1950 (RAF Abingdon, England)
** [[No. 51 Squadron RAF]] 1946–1950 at various bases in England
** [[No. 59 Squadron RAF]] 1947–1950 (RAF Abingdon, England)
** [[No. 99 Squadron RAF]] 1947–1949 (RAF Lyneham, England)
** [[No. 206 Squadron RAF]] 1947–1950 (RAF Lyneham, England)
** [[No. 232 Squadron RAF]] 
** [[No. 242 Squadron RAF]] 1945–1949 at various bases in England
** [[No. 246 Squadron RAF]] 1944–1946 (RAF Holmsley South, England)
** [[No. 511 Squadron RAF]] 1943–1949 (RAF Lyneham, England)
** [[No. 241 Operational Conversion Unit RAF]] (RAF Dishforth, England)
** Air Command South East Asia Communications Squadron (RAF Ratmalana, Ceylon)
** Air Transport Tactical Development Unit (RAF Netheravon, England)
** Empire Air Navigation School (RAF Shawbury, England)
** Far East Communications Squadron (RAF Changi, Singapore)
** Metropolitan Communications Squadron (RAF Hendon, England)
** Transport Command Development Unit
** Transport Command Examining Unit
** 1310 Flight RAF (RAF Upavon, England)
** 1359 Flight RAF (RAF Lyneham then RAF Bassingbourn, England)
** 1332 Heavy Conversion Unit at various bases in England and Northern Ireland
* [[Telecommunications Research Establishment]] (Defford, England)

===Civil operators===
;{{Flag|Aden|30px}}
* [[Aden Airways]]<ref>Harrison 2014, p. 38.</ref>
;{{ARG}}
* {{Interlanguage link|Flota Aérea Mercante Argentina|de}} (FAMA)<ref>Harrison 2014, pp. 38–39.</ref>
* [[Aerolíneas Argentinas]]<ref>Harrison 2014, p. 39.</ref>
;{{flag|Canada}}
* Arctic Wings
* Associated Airways
* [[Maritime Central Airways]]
* [[Pacific Western Airlines]]
* Spartan Air Services<ref>Harrison 2014, pp. 40–45.</ref>
* [[Transair (Canada)]]
;{{flag|Iran|1964}}
* Persian Air Services<ref name="warp40"/>
;{{flag|Lebanon}}
* Air Liban<ref>Harrison 2014, pp. 37–38.</ref>
* [[Middle East Airlines]]<ref>Harrison 2014, pp. 39–40.</ref>
* [[Trans Mediterranean Airways]]<ref name="warp45">Harrison 2014, p. 45.</ref>
;{{flag|South Africa|1928}}
* [[South African Airways]] - operated Yorks leased from BOAC as stopgap until taking delivery of [[Douglas DC-4|DC-4]]s and [[Avro Tudor]]s<ref name="warp40">Harrison 2014, p. 40.</ref>
* Tropic Airways<ref name="warp45"/>
;{{UK}}
* [[Air Charter Limited|Air Charter]] - 10 operated from 1952 to 1956.<ref>Harrison 2014, pp. 21–22.</ref>
* [[British Overseas Airways Corporation|BOAC]]
* [[British South American Airways]]
* [[Dan-Air]]
* [[British Eagle|Eagle Aviation]]
* [[Hunting-Clan Air Transport]]
* [[Scottish Airlines]]
* [[Skyways (British airline)|Skyways]]
* Surrey Flying Services

==Aircraft on display==
While there are no flying examples of the Avro York, there are two complete examples on display in the United Kingdom. Both aircraft were initially allocated to the RAF, but were used by civil operators for most of their flying careers; both aircraft were issued with military and civil registrations.

;Avro York ''TS798'', ''G-AGNV''
[[File:Avro York C1 (50118125218).jpg|thumb|right|Avro 685 York C1, ''TS798'' (''G-AGNV'') at the RAF Museum Cosford, 2020]]
Avro 685 York C1, ''TS798'' (cn ''1223''), now part of the collection of the [[Royal Air Force Museum Midlands]], Cosford. This aircraft was completed in October 1945 and intended for the RAF as ''TS798'', but quickly passed to BOAC and given the civil registration ''G-AGNV''. In BOAC service it flew routes in South Asia and Africa until 1950. In 1955 it was acquired by Skyways, who operated it until 1964.<ref name="RAF museum" />

It was sold to the Skyways airframe collection for preservation and made the last ever flight by a York when it flew from Heathrow to [[Gloucestershire Airport]] to join the collection. It was sold to the RAF Museum in 1972. In 1973 it was restored and painted in RAF markings to represent another aircraft, ''MW100''; it was moved to the RAF Museum's [[Royal Air Force Museum Midlands|Cosford site]] in 1976, where it is currently displayed.<ref name="RAF museum">[https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/75-A-725-Avro-York-TS798.pdf Avro York C.MK.1 TS798/G-AGNV Museum Accession Number 75/A/725] ''RAF Museum''. Retrieved: 3 July 2023.</ref>

;Avro York ''MW232'', ''G-ANTK''
[[File:G-ANTK Avro York C.1 Duxford 2 JUl 2006 side (48503735022).jpg|thumb|right|Avro York ''G-ANTK'' at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, temporarilly outside before being moved to a new hangar (2006)]]
Displayed at the [[Imperial War Museum Duxford]]: Avro 685 York C1, ''G-ANTK'' is an ex-Dan Air London aircraft. This airframe was built at Yeadon, near Leeds, in January 1946 and entered RAF service with 242 Squadron as ''MW232'' that August. It joined the fleet of Allied aircraft engaged in the Berlin Airlift and in May 1947, the York moved to 511 Squadron at Lyneham, where it served until May 1950 when it was used by [[Fairey Aviation]] for flight refuelling research. It then retired to 12 Maintenance Unit at Kirkbride for storage prior to disposal. In July 1954, ''MW232'' became ''G-ANTK'' with Dan Air and it was used for freight work until its retirement in May 1964.

It was ferried to [[Lasham Airfield]] and used as a bunk house by the Air Scouts until 1974. The Dan Air preservation group took it over and began to restore the aircraft in their spare time. In the mid-1980s, Dan Air realised the impracticality of the restoration work being undertaken and began negotiations with the Duxford Aviation Society. In May 1986, the aircraft was dismantled and on 23 May made its journey to [[Duxford]] on seven low-loaders.

==Accidents and incidents==
{{Main|List of accidents and incidents involving the Avro York}}
The Avro York had 87 hull-loss accidents or incidents with the following list of accidents involving fatalities and major hull-losses. This information is primarily derived from: ''Piston Engine Airliner Production List'' (1991) <ref name="eastwood">Eastwood and Roach 1991, pp. 21–29.</ref> and ''Aviation Safety Network''.:<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/type/type.php?type=070 "Accidents: Avro 685 York."] ''Aviation Safety Network.'' Retrieved: 22 February 2010.</ref>
* 14 November 1944: An RAF York crashed near Grenoble, France, killing all ten aboard, including [[Air Chief Marshal]] [[Trafford Leigh-Mallory]].<ref name="eastwood" /><ref name="lost1">[http://www.lostaircraft.com/database.php?lang=en&e=28351&mode=viewentry# Record of ''Avro York C.1 MW126'' on ''lostaircraft.com'']</ref><ref>Harrison 2014, p. 14.</ref>
* 2 February 1945: An RAF York crashed off [[Lampedusa|Lampedusa Island]].<ref name="eastwood" /><ref name="lost2">[http://www.lostaircraft.com/database.php?lang=en&e=30171&mode=viewentry# Record of ''Avro York C.1 MW116'' on ''lostaircraft.com'']</ref>
* 29 December 1945: An RAF York crashed and was destroyed by fire near New Milton, Hampshire, England.
* 11 April 1946: An RAF York crashed and burned on takeoff from [[RAF Woodbridge]], one of the six crew on board was killed.<ref>"News in Brief." ''The Times,'' 13 April 1946, Issue 50426, p. 2, column C.</ref>
* 7 September 1946: A British South American Airways York ''Star Leader'' on a flight from London to Buenos Aires via Lisbon, Bathurst, Natal, [[Rio de Janeiro]] and [[Montevideo]], crashed shortly after takeoff from Bathurst, [[The Gambia]]. The captain lost control of the aircraft as it was climbing. The accident killed all 24 passengers and crew on board.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19460907-1 "Accident description G-AHEW."] ''Aviation Safety Network.'' Retrieved: 12 May 2011.</ref><ref>"23 Killed in Crash of Plane in Africa." ''Pittsburgh Press,'' 7 September 1946, p. 1.</ref><!--Reference with wrong departure airport-->
* 6 October 1946: An RAF York crashed in the [[Bay of Bengal]].
* 20 October 1946: An RAF York crashed on takeoff from Dum Dum, [[Calcutta]], India.
* 20 November 1946: An RAF York crashed in the desert south of Helwan, Egypt.
* 23 December 1946: A [[Flota Aérea Mercante Argentina]] York crashed into a mountain 31&nbsp;km from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
* 18 March 1947: An RAF York crashed and burnt out near Negombo Town after departure from Negombo, [[Ceylon]].
* 13 April 1947: British South American Airways York ''Star Speed'' crashed on landing at Dakar, [[Senegal]].
* 1 July 1947: An RAF York crashed after overshooting at [[RAF Oakington]].
* 16 July 1947: A BOAC York crashed near [[Basra]], Iraq.
* 17 November 1947: An RAF York crashed after overshooting at [[RAF Dishforth]], Yorkshire.
* 16 February 1948: An RAF York was damaged beyond repair during a landing at [[RAF Hullavington]].
* 4 July 1948: An RAF York collided with a [[Scandinavian Airlines System]] [[Douglas DC-6|DC-6]] over [[Northwood, Hillingdon|Northwood]], [[London]], killing all seven passengers and crew on the York and 32 passengers and crew on the DC-6. See [[1948 Northwood mid-air collision]].
* 19 September 1948: An RAF York crashed on takeoff from [[Wunstorf]], West Germany.
* 5 January 1949: British South American Airways York ''Star Venture'' crashed at Caravellos Bay, Brazil.
* 15 March 1949: A Skyways York crashed on approach to [[Gatow]], (southwest of West Berlin), West Germany.
* 2 February 1953: A Skyways York [[1953 Skyways Avro York disappearance|crashed into the sea]] off [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]], [[Canada]] after an SOS was sent by the pilots. The wreck of the aircraft was [[List of missing aircraft|never found]]; all 39 passengers and crew died.
* 26 June 1954: A Skyways York crashed landed at [[Kyritz]], East Germany.
* 26 May 1955: An Associated Airways York was damaged beyond repair after hitting an obstacle on takeoff from Edmonton Municipal Airport, Canada.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19550526-0 "Associated Airways Avro York accident."] ''aviation-safety.net.'' Retrieved: 21 December 2010.</ref>
* 29 September 1955: An Associated Airways York was damaged beyond repair after ditching into the Thoa River near [[Yellowknife]], North West Territories, Canada.
* 18 February 1956: A Scottish Airlines York crashed at [[Malta]] due to pilot error, killing all 50 passengers and crew. See [[1956 Scottish Airlines Malta air disaster]]
* 30 April 1956: A Scottish Airlines York crashed on takeoff from [[Stansted Airport]], Essex.
* 26 September 1956: A [[Maritime Central Airways]] York was damaged beyond repair in a forced landing in Quebec, Canada.
* 8 January 1957: A [[Transair (Canada)]] York was destroyed by fire after crash landing on a lake in [[Hudson Bay]], Canada.
* 25 June 1957: A [[Pacific Western Airlines]] York was damaged beyond repair after an accident at Cape Perry, North West Territories, Canada.
* 23 December 1957: A cargo Scottish Airlines York crashed near Stansted on approach to the airport, killing all four crew.
* 25 May 1958: A Dan-Air York crashed at Guragon, [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India.
* 29 September 1958: A [[Middle East Airlines]] York went missing over the [[Mediterranean Sea]] somewhere between [[Beirut]] and [[Rome]].
* 15 March 1963: A [[Trans Mediterranean Airways]] York crashed seven miles southeast of [[Karaj]], [[Iran]].

==Specifications (Avro York)==
[[File:Avro York 3-view silhouette.jpg|thumb|right|Avro York]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II,<ref>Bridgeman 1946, p. 105.</ref> The Avro York<ref name = "hannah 16">Hannah 1967, p. 16.</ref> & Berlin Airlift{{sfn|Sutherland|Canwell|2008|p=45}}
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=5 (two pilots, navigator, wireless operator, cabin steward)
|capacity=56 passengers / {{cvt|16500|lb|kg}} cargo{{refn|group=note|In April 1950 a York was used to transport a {{cvt|21000|lb|kg}} propeller shaft.{{sfn|Franklin|Scarborough|1979|p=68}}}}
|length ft=78
|length in=6
|length note=
|span ft=102
|span in=0
|span note=
|height ft=16
|height in=6
|height note=
|wing area sqft=1297
|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 |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>-->
|empty weight lb=40000
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=65000
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=4
|eng1 name=[[Rolls-Royce Merlin 24]]
|eng1 type=V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines
|eng1 hp=1280
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=3
|prop name=constant-speed propellers
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=298
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=
|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=3000
|range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=23000
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ftmin=820
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=54
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.079|hp/lb}}
|more performance=<!--
* '''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}}-->
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{External media|topic= |width=20% |float=right |video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1UJsTPYVwQ Images of Yorks in service] |video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upk6LRKY9nc Footage of Yorks during Operation Vittles, 1948] |video3=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Nj8rh1UPw News report on the crash of a York, 1956]}}
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Avro Lancaster]]
* [[Avro Lancastrian]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Armstrong Whitworth Ensign]]
* [[Airspeed Ambassador]]
* [[Handley Page Hastings]] – evolved from the [[Handley Page Halifax]]
* [[Vickers VC.1 Viking]] – evolved from the [[Vickers Wellington]]
* [[Boeing 307 Stratoliner]] – American, derived from the [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]]
* [[Consolidated R2Y]] – American, derived from the [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]]
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
* [[List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force]]
* [[List of civil aircraft]]
}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Bridgeman |first=Leonard |title=The Avro Type 685 York |publisher=Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II (1st Pub. 1946) |location=London, UK |orig-date=1st Pub. 1946 |isbn=1-85170-493-0}}
* {{cite book |last1=Eastwood |first1=Tony |last2=Roach |first2=John |title=Piston Engine Airliner Production List |publisher=The Aviation Hobby Shop |location=West Drayton, UK |year=1991 |isbn=0-907178-37-5}}
* {{cite book |last1=Franklin |first1=Neville |last2=Scarborough |first2=Gerald |title=Lancaster |publisher=Patrick Stephens |location=Cambridge |year=1979 |isbn=0-85059-344-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Hannah |first=Donald |title=The Avro York (Aircraft in Profile number 168) |publisher=Profile Publications Ltd. |location=Leatherhead, Surrey, UK |year=1967}}
* {{cite book |last=Harrison |first=William |title=Avro York |series=Warpaint Series No. 98 |publisher=Warpaint Books |location=Denbigh East, UK |year=2014 |oclc=898151372}}
* {{cite book |last=Holmes |first=Harry |title=Avro: The History of an Aircraft Company |edition=Second |publisher=Crowood Press |location=Marlborough, UK |year=2004 |isbn=1-86126-651-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Jackson |first=A.J. |title=Avro Aircraft since 1908 |edition=2nd |publisher=Putnam Aeronautical Books |location=London, UK |year=1990 |isbn=0-85177-834-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Lawrence |first=Joseph |title=The Observer's Book Of Airplanes |publisher=Frederick Warne & Co |location=London and New York |year=1945}}
* {{cite book |last1=Ottaway |first1=Susan |last2=Ottaway |first2=Ian |title=Fly With the Stars – A History of British South American Airways |publisher=Speedman Press |location=Andover, Hampshire, UK |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7509-4448-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Stewart |first=Greig |title=Shutting Down the National Dream: A.V. Roe and the Tragedy of the Avro Arrow |publisher=McGraw-Hill-Ryerson |location=Toronto, Canada |year=1991 |isbn=0-07-551119-3}}
* {{cite book |last1=Sutherland |first1=Jon |last2=Canwell |first2=Diane |date=2008 |title=Berlin airlift: the salvation of a city |location=Gretna, Louisiana |publisher=Pelican Publishing Company |isbn=978-1-58980-550-7}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Avro York}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110105041023/http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/collections/aircraft/avro-york-c1.cfm Avro York on display at RAF Museum, Cosford]
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1949/1949%20-%200391.html "1,000,000th Ton!"] a 1949 ''Flight'' advertisement for the York
* [https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060020757 "Flying with Prudence"] a 1946 instruction film made to instil in RAF flying personnel the importance of flight safety in peacetime.

{{Avro aircraft}}
{{Avro Lancaster family}}
{{Victory Aircraft}}
{{Aircraft manufactured in Canada}}
{{ADF aircraft designations}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Avro aircraft|York]]
[[Category:1940s British airliners]]
[[Category:1940s British military transport aircraft]]
[[Category:Four-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Avro Lancaster|York]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1942]]
[[Category:Four-engined piston aircraft]]
[[Category:Twin-tail aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Triple-tail aircraft]]