1910 A. V. Roe IV “Triplane”
British Single-engine Single-seat Pioneer Triplane

Image Archive ^[1]

A.V. Roe Triplane IV (BAPC-1, Shuttleworth Collection (John Shupek photo 20020910-107 copyright © 2002 Skytamer Images

Overview ^[2]

Roe IV “Triplane” was an early British aircraft designed by Alliott Verdon Roe and built by A.V. Roe and Company. It was first flown in September 1910.

Design and Development ^[2]

The Roe IV “Triplane” resembled Roe's Type III, being a tractor configuration triplane with the lower wing of smaller span than the upper two and a triangular section wire-braced fuselage, which was uncovered behind the pilot's seat. The middle wing was mounted directly above the upper longerons, and there was a gap between the single lower longeron and the lower wing. The wings were connected by four unequally spaced pairs of interplanes struts on either side, the innermost pair on each side being just outboard of the upper longerons and the outer pair connecting only the upper pair of wings due to the shorter span of the lower wing. Although the ailerons fitted to the previous design had been satisfactory, Roe returned to wing warping for lateral control. The lifting triplane tailplanes of the earlier design were replaced by a non-lifting single triangular tailplane with a divided elevator and a small unbalanced rudder. The undercarriage consisted of a pair of skids extending forward of the propeller, with a pair of wheels mounted on each skid, and a sprung tailskid. It was powered by a 35 horsepower (26 kW) Green water-cooled 4-cylinder inline engine, with the radiator mounted above the fuselage between the front inner interplane struts.

Service History ^[2]

The single example built was used for a while as a trainer at the Avro Flying School at Brooklands, where several pilots who were to become famous learnt to fly in it, including Howard Pixton, who gained his Aero Club certificate in it on 24 January 1911. During its service as a trainer it was crashed numerous times, including at least two excursions into the notorious Brooklands sewage farm. After a crash on 14 February the aircraft was rebuilt with the fuselage lengthened by 4 ft (1.2 m). It continued to be used for training until August 1911, when it was scrapped.

A full-scale Roe IV Triplane flying replica was built for the 1960s film Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines and was afterwards donated to the Shuttleworth Collection, where it remains as of 2012.

Specifications and Data (Roe IV Triplane) ^[3]

Manufacturers:

• A. V. Roe and Company, Brownsfield Mills, Great Ancoats Street, Manchester
• Brooklands Aerodrome, Byfleet, Surrey

Type:

• Single-seat, single-engine, triplane

Powerplants:

• One 35 hp Green

Dimensions:

• Span (upper): 32 ft 0 in
• Span (bottom): 30 ft 0 in
• Length: 30 ft 0 in (increased to 34 ft 0 in February 1911)
• Height: 9 ft 0 in
• Wing area: 294 ft²

Weights:

• Airframe less engine: 350 lb
• All-up weight: 650 lb

Performance:

• Speed: 25 mph
• Range: 500 yards

Production:

• One aircraft only, completed September 1910, withdrawn from use at Brooklands about August 1911.

References

• Shupek, John. “A. V. Roe IV Triplane”, The Skytamer Archive, copyright © 2002 Skytamer Images
• Wikipedia: Roe I Triplane
• Jackson, A. J. “Roe IV Triplane”, Avro Aircraft Since 1908 (Second Edition), Putnam Aeronautical Books, London, 1990, ISBN 0-85177-797-X, pp 16-17.