Sopwith Triplane Typhoon
A Beginners Guide Links About Me Version History

Avro 631 Cadet and Variants

<< Return to Avro

For a description of the format and data included in Production Tables, see here.

Type Description and Production Data

Type 631 Cadet Type 638 Club Cadet Type 639 Cabin Cadet Type 640 Cadet 3-Seater Type 643 Cadet
Production Summary
Type 631 Cadet
Two seat trainer, a smaller, more economical, derivative of the Type 621, with staggered, non-folding wings of wooden construction with spruce spars spindled to the requisite section, spruce ribs, and featuring rounded wingtips and modified ailerons. The first prototype initially flew with a triangular, Avian style, fin and rudder, though soon changed to one similar to the later model Type 621. The tailplane, with spruce box-spars, also had rounded tips and featured non-balanced elevators. The cockpit area featured fabric-covered plywood top decking with large doors fitted on each side. Handley Page slots on the upper wing, an inverted fuel system and a tailwheel were available as options. One 135 h.p Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major I powerplant.
Production Details
C/n Initial
Registration		 Notes
 36 aircraft built by A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, between 1931 and 1935.
 558  G-ABRS  Prototype, registered to A.V. Roe in October 1931. To Far East Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong as VR-HCS in July 1933.
 581    To the Irish Army Air Corps (See Military Tale).
 582    To the Irish Army Air Corps (See Military Tale).
 583    To the Irish Army Air Corps (See Military Tale).
 584    To the Irish Army Air Corps (See Military Tale).
 585    To the Irish Army Air Corps (See Military Tale).
 586    To the Irish Army Air Corps (See Military Tale).
 589  G-ABVV  To Maj John Edward Durrant Shaw, Welburn Hall, Yorks.
 592  G-ABVU  Initially retained by A.V. Roe; to the Lancashire Aero Club, Woodford March 1936.
 597  G-ABWJ  Initially retained by A.V. Roe; to Brazil as PP-TJC.
 606  G-ABWS  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2957M.
 607  G-ABXU  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2958M
 621  G-ABYC  To Yardley and Co, Hamble.
 623  G-ABZF  To W.R. Westhead, Heston Aerodrome, Heston, Middlesex.
 627  G-ACCH  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble.
 628  G-ACCI  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2945M.
 629  G-ACCJ  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2946M.
 630  G-ACCK  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2952M.
 631  G-ACCL  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble.
 632  G-ACCM  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble.
 633  G-ACCN  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2939M.
 678    To the Chinese Central Government, Nanking.
 682  G-ACMG  To the Lancashire Aero Club, Woodford.
 683  VR-HCL  To Far East Aviation Co Ltd for the Chinese Central Government, Nanking.
 684  VR-HCM  To Far East Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong. To the Chinese Central Government, Nanking, November 1942.
 685  VR-HCN  To Far East Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong. To the Chinese Central Government, Nanking, May 1942.
 692  G-ACNE  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble.
 693  G-ACNF  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2953M.
 701  G-ACRY  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble.
 702  G-ACRZ  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2962M.
 724  G-ACUH  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble.
 727    To Portuguese Air Force (See Military Tale).
 730    To the Irish Army Air Corps (See Military Tale). Later EI-AFO Nov 1950, but no CofA issued. To EI-AGO. To UK as G-ACFM. To New Zealand as ZK-AVR.
 805  G-ADAV  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2954M.
 806  G-ADAU  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2970M.
 813  G-ADCX  To Air Service Training Ltd, Hamble. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2956M.
Total Production 36
Aircraft Delivered for Export As Military (In Alphabetical Order of Country)
Serial Range C/n Batch
Qty		 Notes
Ireland  6 aircraft ordered from A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, for the Irish Army Air Corps. Delivered between March and April 1932.
 C.1 - C.6  581-586  6  Serials changed to 1 - 6 post-1938.
 1 aircraft ordered from A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, for the Irish Army Air Corps. Delivered in September 1934.
 C.7  730  1  Replacement for the crashed Cadet C.3. Serial changed to 7 post-1938.
Portugal  1 aircraft ordered from A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, for the Portuguese Army Air Service (Arma da Aeronautica Militar Portuguesa). Delivered in
 1934.
 501  727  1  
Total Production 8
Type 638 Club Cadet
Type 631 for private use fitted with folding wings of greatly reduced stagger, with the upper mainplane being moved aft and mounted on modified centre-section struts. Plain parallel interplane struts replaced the N-type, and the fuel tank was relocated above the wing centre section. One 135 h.p Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major I, 130 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy or 140 h.p. Cirrus Hermes IVA powerplant as noted.
Production Details
All aircraft fitted with 135 h.p Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major I powerplant except as noted
C/n Initial
Registration		 Notes
 15 aircraft built by A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, between 1932 and 1935.
 626  G-ACAY  To W.R. Westhead, Heston Aerodrome, Heston, Middlesex
 650  G-ACGY  To the Lancashire Aero Club, Woodford. To Aeroclube de Mocambique as CR-AAS in 1939.
 651  G-ACHN  To Airwork Ltd, Heston. Later fitted with 130 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy Moth powerplant.
 652  G-ACHO  To Airwork Ltd, Heston. Later fitted with 130 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy Moth powerplant.
 653  G-ACHP  To Airwork Ltd, Heston. Later fitted with 130 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy Moth powerplant. Impressed as HM570. Restored to G-ACHP June 1946.
 654  G-ACHW  To Samuel Peregrine and Ethel Dorcey Tyzack, Sywell.
 655  G-ACHY  Registered to A.V. Roe but ntu; construction abandoned.
 661  G-ACIL  Originally flew under Class 'B' conditions as K-11. To Douglas K. Fairweather, Renfrew. 140 h.p. Cirrus Hermes IVA powerplant.
 667  G-ACJZ  To Southend Flyinq Club Ltd.
 686  G-ACNY  To Airwork Ltd, Heston. Sold abroad June 1941.
 704  G-ACTB  To the Southend Flying Club Ltd.
 718  G-ACTX  To Airwork Ltd, Heston. Later fitted with 130 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy Moth powerplant.
 719  G-ACTY  Registered to Airwork Ltd, Heston. but ntu; construction abandoned.
 720  G-ACTZ  To Airwork Ltd, Heston. Later fitted with 130 h.p. de Havilland Gipsy Moth powerplant. To the Perak Flying Club, Ipoh, Federated Malay States, as VR-RAW,
 June 1941.
 797  G-ACZS  To Airwork Ltd, Heston. Sold abroad June 1941.
 807  G-ADBC  To A.G. de Vere Capell, the Earl of Essex, Manorbier. To France April 1937 as F-AQCJ.
 816  G-ADEH  To York County Aviation Club Ltd, Sherburn-in -Elmet.
Total Production  15
Total Production  (Not Completed) 2
Type 639 Cabin Cadet
As the Type 638 with an enclosed three seat cabin. The fuselage upper decking was raised such that the fuselage filled the whole mainplane gap, with the fuel tank being moved from the centre section to below the floor. A new five panel windscreen was fitted, along with glazed passenger doors on both sides and additional windows behind. Immediately behind the pilot one passenger was located on a seat on runners that slids to the right-hand side when three passengers were carried or to the centre of the aircraft when it is using dual control. Behind this seat was an upholstered plywood bench, large enough for two children or one adult. The undercarriage was shorter, with the main compression members anchored further forward. One 135 h.p Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major I powerplant.
Production Details
C/n Initial
Registration		 Notes
 1 aircraft built by A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, in 1933.
 639  G-ACGA  Originally flew under B conditions as K-14. Retained by A.V. Roe.
 686  G-ACMD  Ntu and c/n re-used for Type 638 Club Cadet.
Total Production  1
Total Production (Not Completed)  1
Type 640 Cadet 3-Seater
Three seat version of Type 631. The forward fuselage was widened to accommodate two passengers seated side-by-side. One 135 h.p Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major I or 140 h.p. Cirrus Hermes IV powerplant as noted.
Production Details
All aircraft fitted with 135 h.p Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major I powerplant except as noted.
C/n Initial
Registration		 Notes
 9 aircraft built by A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, between 1933 and 1934.
 640  G-ACFH  To The Scottish Motor Traction Co Ltd, Renfrew. 140 h.p. Cirrus Hermes IV powerplant.
 644  G-ACFS  To The Scottish Motor Traction Co Ltd, Renfrew. 140 h.p. Cirrus Hermes IV powerplant.
 645  G-ACFT  To The Scottish Motor Traction Co Ltd, Renfrew. 140 h.p. Cirrus Hermes IV powerplant.
 646  G-ACFU  To The Scottish Motor Traction Co Ltd, Renfrew. 140 h.p. Cirrus Hermes IV powerplant.
 647  G-ACFX  To Midland and Scottish Air Ferries Ltd, Renfrew. To the Perak Flying Club, Ipoh, Federated Malay States, as VR-RAJ in May 1936.
 666  G-ACJX  To Henlys Ltd.
 679  G-ACLU  To National Aviation Displays Ltd, Ford. Sold abroad April 1939.
 696  G-ACPB  To National Aviation Displays Ltd, Ford.
 697  G-ACOZ  To National Aviation Displays Ltd, Ford.
Total Production  9
Type 643 Cadet
As Type 631 with revised rear fuselage and a raised rear seat. One 135 h.p Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major I powerplant.
Type 643 Mk.II Cadet
A strengthened version of Type 643 Cadet with heavier wing spars, both spars not being spindled to the same extent as in the earlier type, and a re-arrangement of the bracing wires making the whole wing cellule more rigid torsionally. Frise ailerons were fitted to upper and lower planes and Handley Page slots with controlled locking could be embodied if required. Improved parachute egress, an inverted fuel system and a tailwheel were now fitted as standard, as was full blind flying equipment. One 150 h.p. Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major 1A powerplant, mounted six inches further forward than that in the older Cadet, but retaining the Townend ring, fitted in two halves and is easily removed, and an and exhaust ring behind the cylinders.

Type 643 Mk.II Cadet Specification
Span Length Height Wing Area Empty Wt Max AUW Cruise Speed Maximum Speed Range Service Ceiling
30 ft 2 in 24 ft 9 in 8 ft 10 in 262 sq ft 1286 lb 2000 lb 100 mph/ 87 kn 116 mph/ 101 kn 325 mi 12000 ft
9.19 m 7.54 m 2.69 m 24.34 m2 583 kg 907 kg 161 km/h 187 km/h 523 km 3658 m

Production Details
C/n Initial
Registration		 Notes
 8 aircraft built by A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, between 1933 and 1934.
 657  G-ACIH  To C.S.H. Vane-Tempest-Stewart, Marquess of Londonderry, Hendon. To M.P. Cahill, Ireland, April 1961 as EI-ALU.
 758  G-ACXJ  To Sqd. Ldr. Victor Hubert Tait, OC Egyptian Army Air Corps, Almaza.
 778  EC-W26  To Aero Club de Espana. Later EC-DBD.
 794  G-ACZA  To the Earl of Amherst, July 1936, via Henlys. To the Perak Flying Club, Ipoh, Federated Malay States, March 1938 as VR-RAR.
 817  G-ADEG  To York County Aviation Club Ltd, Sherburn-in -Elmet.
 819  G-ADFD  To the Bristol and Wessex Aeroplane Club Ltd, Bristol.
 820  G-ADEX  To the Hon RF Watson, Heston.
 848  G-ADIE  To Sir William Firth, Brooklands. To Republic Air Charters, Ireland, September 1960 as EI-ALP.
 61 Mk.II Cadet built by A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, between 1935 and 1939.
 849  G-ADJT  Initially retained by A.V. Roe; to Maurice Hennessy, Cognac (Charente), France, April 1938, as F-AQMX.
 850    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 851    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To J.H. Alessio, Melbourne VIC, April 1945, but unregistered. To Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadows
 Airfield, NSW, March 1946 as VH-APV.
 852    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 853    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 854    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadows Airfield, NSW, March 1945 as VH-AEG.
 855    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 856    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 857    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadows Airfield, NSW, March 1945 as VH-AEJ.
 858    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 859    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To J.H. Alessio, Melbourne VIC, April 1945, but unregistered. To C.H. McBean, Melbourne, December
 1949 as VH-AMM.
 860    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Clifford J. Wynne, Yarram Vic., March 1945 as VH-AFW.
 861    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To James M. Bindt, Yarram Vic., March 1945 as VH-AFX
 867  PP-TAF  To J.Daniel de Camargo, Brazil.
 870  G-ADTF  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2905M
 871  G-ADTG  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2943M
 872  G-ADTH  To Air Service Training Ltd.
 873  G-ADTI  To Air Service Training Ltd.
 874  G-ADTJ  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2960M
 875  G-ADTK  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2971M
 876  G-ADTL  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2961M
 877  G-ADTM  To Air Service Training Ltd.
 878  G-ADTN  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2972M
 879  G-ADTO  To Air Service Training Ltd.
 880  G-ADTP  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2949M
 881  G-ADTR  To Air Service Training Ltd.
 882  G-ADTS  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2948M
 883  G-ADTT  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2944M
 884  G-ADTU  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2947M
 885  G-ADTV  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2942M
 886  G-ADTW  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2955M
 887  G-ADTX  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2940M
 888  G-ADTY  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2371M
 889  G-ADTZ  To Air Service Training Ltd.
 920  VR-RAK  To the Perak Flying Club, Ipoh, Federated Malay States.
 921  VR-RAL  To the Perak Flying Club, Ipoh, Federated Malay States.
 922  G-AEAR  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2959M
 926  G-AEIR  To Air Service Training Ltd.
 949  G-AENL  To Air Service Training Ltd. Impressed as Instructional Airframe 2951M
 986    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 987    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 988    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 989    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 990    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Dr T.F. French, Edgecliffe NSW, April 1945, but unregistered. To Marshall Airways, Mascot Airport,
 Sydney, July 1953 as VH-AGH.
 991    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadows Airfield, NSW, March 1945 as VH-AEH.
 992    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 993    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 994    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Alex Cumming, Yarram Vic., March 1945, but unregistered. To Henry R. Brosche, Port Albert Vic,
 July 1945 as VH-AFZ.
 995    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 1058    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Sqn. Ldr. Francis H. W. Robilliard, Adelaide SA, March 1945, but unregistered. To F. J. Jarrett,
 Adelaide SA, November 1947 as VH-AHH.
 1059    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 1060    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadows Airfield, NSW, March 1945 as VH-AEI.
 1061    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 1062    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Clifford J. Wynne, Yarram Vic., March 1945, but unregistered. To Yarram Aero Club, Yarram Vic,
 February 1947 as VH-AHW
 1063    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To J.H. Alessio, Melbourne VIC, April 1945, but unregistered. To Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadows
 Airfield, NSW, March 1946 as VH-APW.
 1064    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 1065    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table).
 1066    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Alfred J. Lennon, Yarram Vic, March 1945 as VH-AFY.
 1067    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To J. M. and J. R. Cleary, St Kilda, Melbourne Vic, March 1945 as VH-AGC.
 1068    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadows Airfield, NSW, March 1945 as VH-AEL.
 1069    To the Royal Australian Air Force (See Military Table). To Sqn. Ldr. Francis H. W. Robilliard, Adelaide SA, March 1945, but unregistered. Eventually
 registered VH-BJB to the Royal Queensland Aero Club, Archerfield Qld, January 1948.
Total Production  69
Type 643 Mk.II Cadet Delivered for Export As Military (In Alphabetical Order of Country)
Serial Range C/n Batch
Qty		 Notes
Australia  12 aircraft ordered from A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, for the R.A.A.F. against Air Board Order 468. Delivered between December 1935 and March
 1936. See Note 1.
 A6-1 - A6-12  850-861  12  
 10 aircraft ordered from A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, for the R.A.A.F. against Air Board Order 525. Delivered between February and March 1938.
 A6-13 - A6-22  986-995  10  
 12 aircraft ordered from A.V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Newton Heath, Manchester, for the R.A.A.F. against Overseas Indent No. 589. Delivered between January and April 1939.
 See note 2.
 A6-23 - A6-34  1058-1069  12  
Total Production 34

Production Summary

All Aircraft By Type
Type Built New Conv Canc'd Total
 Type 631 Cadet 36 36
 Type 638 Club Cadet 15 2 17
 Type 639 Cabin Cadet 1 1 2
 Type 640 Cadet 3-Seater 9 9
 Type 643 Cadet 8 8
 Type 643 Mk.II Cadet 61 61
130 (0) 3
Exports of British Built Aircraft to Foreign Air Arms
Customer Type 631 Cadet Type 643 Mk.II Cadet
 Australia 34
 Ireland 7
 Portugal 1
8 34

Notes

  1. It appears that a further order for 12 aircraft was requested to Air Board Order 479 [8] in 1935, but not proceded with.
  2. It appears that a further order for 20 aircraft was requested to Overseas Indent No.656 [11] in 1938, but not proceded with.

Production References

  1. Avro Aircraft Since 1908, A.J. Jackson (Putnam, 1965 and 1990)
  2. Avro An Aircraft Album, E.A. Harlin and G.A. Jenks (Ian Allen, 1973)
  3. Irish Air Corps Aircraft 1922-2007 at https://studylib.net/doc/7859875/aircraft-of-the-irish-air-service--irish
  4. http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/avrocadet/avro-cadet.htm
  5. http://www.adf-serials.com.au/
  6. http://www.airhistory.org.uk
  7. Flight 13 Jul 1933
  8. National Australian Archives A14487 10/AB/1782 Air Board Agenda 1782 (RAAF) - Purchase of additional Avro Cadet trainer aircraft - Air Board Order No. 479
  9. National Australian Archives A14487 11/AB/1929 Air Board Agenda 1929 (RAAF) - Avro Cadet training aircraft - Air Board Order No. 525
  10. National Australian Archives A14487 11/AB/2122 Air Board Agenda 2122 (RAAF) - Supply of Avro Cadet trainer aircraft - Overseas Indent No. 589
  11. National Australian Archives A14487 12/AB/2285 Air Board Agenda 2285 (RAAF) - Supply of Avro Cadet trainer aircraft - Overseas Indent No. 656
  12. Flight 6 Feb 1936

Page Revision History

Revised at Version 2.1.0
  • Improved Type 643 Mk.II Cadet description.
Revised at Version 2.0.0
  • Improved Type Description and Added Specification details.
  • Added additional details to aircraft of the Irish Air Corps.
  • Added Notes 1 and 2.
Revised at Version 1.4.0
  • Added user details.
  • Reduced build quantity by 3 - identified three aircraft as registration ntu.