Museum of Science and Industry

A replica of the world’s first enclosed cockpit monoplane is being built at MOSI by a team of volunteers, and will be one of the top objects on display in MOSI’s newly-developed main building. 

The main building is currently undergoing major construction work which involves updating and expanding galleries, restaurant, conference and learning facilities. A team of 12 volunteers at MOSI is working to finish the Avro F on time for the opening of the main building in autumn 2010.  

The Avro F will feature in a whole new gallery space called Revolution Manchester, which will act as an introductory area for the Museum and showcase how Manchester changed the world.

The Avro F was built in 1912 by Salford -born A.V. Roe, who in 1909 was the first British person to fly an all British aeroplane – his Triplane. The volunteers, most of whom are former aeronautical engineers from the Woodford-based aircraft factory started by A.V. Roe, last year built a working replica Triplane in association with MOSI to celebrate 100 years since the first flight.

For their next project the team has already built the wings, fuselage and rudder of the Avro F, and is now working on covering the wings and building the undercarriage, as well as developing the aeroplane controls and propeller.

Peter Teagle, project manager said: “Roe’s Avro F was an incredibly significant development at the time. It was the first time that a pilot didn’t have his head stuck outside the cockpit and it demonstrated the safety and power of monoplanes. At the time people were very pessimistic about covered cockpits as they thought the pilot wouldn’t be able to see and would be choked by fumes and so on, but it was proved to be fine. Everyone also thought monoplanes were very unsafe and unstable but actually the single wing made it significantly stronger and allowed minimum drag and maximum fuel efficiency, so the monoplane could reach much faster speeds. Eventually they superseded the bi-planes altogether.”

Nick Forder, MOSI transport curator said: “1912 was a year of great innovation for Avro. Not only did the company build the world’s first cabin monoplane it also built the world’s first cabin biplane and the first seaplane to take off from water in Britain. All of these were built in the cramped basement of a textile mill in Ancoats and worked on by a team that would have a far reaching impact on aviation. These included the designer of the Lancaster bomber, the first transatlantic pilot and the man recognized as India’s first aeroplane designer. Few aeroplanes could be as representative of Manchester’s contribution to aviation.”

The Avro F was a single seater aeroplane and was designed to break down into pieces for easy transportation by train. The MOSI team has meticulously studied old photographs and drawings of the Avro F to recreate their replica. The wings are made from spruce and covered in fabric, and are 2x4 m each. The propeller is 2m and the engine is a 35 HP Viale model.

The volunteers aim to complete the Avro F by the autumn, when the main building is expected to reopen to visitors. It will be displayed in the new Revolution Manchester gallery.

For media enquiries and images please contact: Sarah Roe, MOSI press and publicity officer on Tel: 0161 606 0176, m: 07847 372647

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