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Avro Avian IVM

The Avro Avian IVM A view of the Avro Avian IVM cockpit

Originally built as a light sporting aircraft, the Avro Avian was also useful as a trainer to civil operators and some Commonwealth air forces. In Canada, civil Avians were used by many flying clubs and bush operators, while the 30 or so supplied to the RCAF were flown little and used mainly as instructional airframes or passed on to flying clubs. Thirty-nine Avian IVMs were assembled by the Ottawa Car Manufacturing Co.

W.R.(Wop) May made an historic mid-winter flight in an Avian to deliver diphtheria anti-toxin to Fort Vermillion, Alberta, from Edmonton in 1929. Unlike earlier Avians, whose fuselages were constructed of wood, the IVM’s fuselage is made of steel tube. The “M” in the designation stands for “Metal”. Most of the components used in Canadian-assembled Avians were manufactured in England, but some of the wing and tail surfaces were made by the Ottawa Car Manufacturing Co.

Museum Example

The Museum’s specimen was delivered to the RCAF in April, 1930. Ownership was transferred in 1932 to the Moose Jaw Flying Club, in 1935 to the Winnipeg Flying Club, and in 1937 to a private owner. After being stored during Second World War, this Avian was sold to the donor who bequeathed the aircraft to the museum.

Specifications

Wing Span:
8.5 m (28 ft)
Length:
7.4 m (24 ft 3 in)
Height:
2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Weight, Empty:
454 kg (1,000 lb)
Weight, Gross:
726 kg (1,600 lb)
Cruising Speed:
137 km/h (85 mph)
Max Speed:
160 km/h (100 mph)
Rate of Climb:
229 m (750 ft) /min
Service Ceiling:
3,810 m (12,500 ft)
Range:
644 km (400 mi)
Crew:
two
Power Plant:
one Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major, 100-hp, air-cooled, 7 cylinder radial engine.

Additional Photographs

The Canada Aviation Museum’s Image Bank contains additional photographs of this aircraft. Images are provided for non-commercial study or research purposes only and may not be reproduced or published without the prior consent of the Canada Aviation Museum.

Find out more about our Image bank here.