Avro Type 690 Leeds - the true story

[PR19_Kit]

It's done, after 10 yrs in the planning and a month and a bit in the building. 

Here's the world's one and only Avro Leeds, it's not my fault that Avro failed to build it for real, is it?   

I give you G-11-11, the prototype private venture Leeds transport, derived from a lengthened York fuselage with Lincoln derived wings, but powered by RR Griffon engines, later to be used on the Shackleton maritime recce aircraft for the RAF. The contra-props were a necessity to absorb the Griffons' power as otherwise the wing would have needed a redesign to move the engines outboard for the larger diameter props. In addition the Leeds fuselage needed to be low on the ground to aid cargo loading, and all the later 100 production Leeds C1 airframes had the aft cargo door fitted as standard.

Why G-11-11? Well, 'll' was Avro's designated B Condition prefix, and the first B Condition number they used in the real world was G-11-12. 





Your normal 3/4 views to show the whole aircraft.




The rear view emphasises the Leeds' massive wing span.




The Leeds' Shackleton canopy, PSR'd into the carved about York nose because the kit York canopy was totally useless.




Underside view, again showing how big this thing is. 




The #3 engine nacelle showing the excellent Aeroclub white metal and resin landing gear, intended for their Shackleton MR2 conversion.




The twin tailwheels from the same source.




The tail looks pretty 'York-ish', but actually it's a Shackleton tailplane and fins, with the fins narrowed considerably to improve their looks, plus a scratchbuilt centre fin.

It came out OK in the end, but it's really a '2 foot model' and has quite a few shortcomings as built. I'd like to do another one, but by using  a couple of Mach 2 Yorks and an Airfix Sheckleton MR2, but as that'd cost almost £200 it may not happen. 

[Tophe]

Very good!

[TomZ]

Ohhh, that looks very good indeed!

TomZ

[Rheged]

That is one thundering great aeroplane, and beautifully modelled. I am impressed.

[McColm]

Great work , very inspirational 

[Gondor]

Nice looking result Kit 

Gondor

[buzzbomb]

Love It

It has been a great journey following this. Great work.
It strikes me as one of those double take models. That doubt of "have I seen this before in an old aviation magazine somewhere"

[Old Wombat]

Excellent build, Kit! Despite the trials & tribulations you've pulled this off beautifully! Bravo, mate!


(If it hasn't already been Whiffie nominated, it soon will be!)

[rickshaw]

Excellent build, Kit! Despite the trials & tribulations you've pulled this off beautifully! Bravo, mate!


(If it hasn't already been Whiffie nominated, it soon will be!)

X2   

[sideshowbob9]

Superb!

[zenrat]

...It strikes me as one of those double take models. That doubt of "have I seen this before in an old aviation magazine somewhere"

Second that.  Are you sure it's a whiff Kit?


Looks great Kit.  You've done well beating sanding it into submission.

So did Avro not use G-11-1 to 10 at all?
A complete list of all the Aircraft test serials actually used by the major manufacturers would certainly be very handy for whiffing purposes.
I've been looking into those used by Handley Page and it seems that they started at 1 with G-8-1 and then G-8-3 being assigned to Dart Heralds.  Leaving G-8-2 for me to use on the Victomic.

[Hobbes]

A great result after all the trials and tribulations 

[NARSES2]

Come out really, really well Kit 

[PR19_Kit]

Second that.  Are you sure it's a whiff Kit?


................................

So did Avro not use G-11-1 to 10 at all?
A complete list of all the Aircraft test serials actually used by the major manufacturers would certainly be very handy for whiffing purposes.
I've been looking into those used by Handley Page and it seems that they started at 1 with G-8-1 and then G-8-3 being assigned to Dart Heralds.  Leaving G-8-2 for me to use on the Victomic.

That was the idea, to make people think it's a York, and then go....'Er, um, myabe not......?'

I bought the complete book on B Condition reggies so I can act as a 'clearing house'. There's THOUSANDS of them, and some manufacturers kept on using the same number on different aircraft.

No, Avro never did use -1 to -11, except for the Leeds of course. 

I'll check the H-P lists for you later on.

[The Wooksta!]

The original York conversion - the *really* rough original Contrail one - pops up now and again for relatively reasonable prices.  I've a built up one (not one I've built but was gifted, I hasten to add) that I'd happily donate.  No canopy though.