Avro 557 Ava N171
(c/n
One of Roy Chadwick's first designs was the
Avro 556 torpedo bomber. The 557 was a
night
bomber variant of this aircraft, and named "Ava" (at least by
Avro). Although designed
in
1923, it was not until three years later that the prototypes of these
machines took to the air.
When the torpedo
bomber project was cancelled the model 557 also appeared to have died
a natural
death. Two 557s were built. The Mk.I was of wooden
construction with rounded
wingtips
(above) while the Mk.II was all metal with square tips (N172). .