Did you know the Antelope lost out to the Hawker Hart?

Short answer

Yes: evaluated at Martlesham Heath against the Hawker Hart and the Fairey Fox II, the Avro 604 Antelope was rejected in favour of the Hart because of the latter's ease of maintenance. It comfortably met the required performance, but its low-speed and spinning handling proved poor.

Published: November 4, 2026 · Updated: November 4, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Did you know the Antelope lost out to the Hawker Hart?

Avro Antelope L'Aérophile July, 1929

A day bomber for Specification 12/26

The Avro 604 Antelope was designed to meet Air Ministry Specification 12/26, which called for a fast, single-engined, light day bomber. The Air Ministry ordered a single prototype, which first flew in July 1928 powered by a Rolls-Royce F.XI B rated at 480 hp (360 kW), an engine later known as the Kestrel.

The verdict at Martlesham Heath

The aircraft was evaluated at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Martlesham Heath against the Hawker Hart and the Fairey Fox II. Although it comfortably met the specification's performance requirements, it showed poor low-speed and spinning behaviour, and was rejected in favour of the Hart because of the latter's ease of maintenance.

A second life as a test bed

After being rejected for operational service, the Antelope prototype was fitted with dual controls and used by the Royal Aircraft Establishment as an engine and propeller test bed. It remained in that role until September 1933.