Did you know the Avro 558 flew with a motorcycle engine?

Short answer

Yes: two Avro 558s were built, both biplanes powered by motorcycle engines. One carried an air-cooled twin-cylinder B&H and the other a 500cc Douglas. The second example set a world record in its aircraft class, 13,850 ft (4,222 m), over Lympne on 13 October 1923.

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

Did you know the Avro 558 flew with a motorcycle engine?

Avro Type D floatplane

Two aircraft, two motorcycle engines

The Avro 558 was a British single-engine ultralight biplane built by Avro at Hamble aerodrome. Two examples of the type were built, both biplanes powered by motorcycle engines. One received an air-cooled twin-cylinder B&H and the second a 500cc Douglas. The first aircraft was later modified with a 698cc (42.6 in³) Blackburne Tomtit, and both aircraft also received changes to the landing gear.

The 1923 Lympne competition

The design was created for the 1923 light aeroplane trials for single-seaters, held at Lympne aerodrome. There, the 558 did not win the competition. The second of the two examples later set a world record in its aircraft class. The mark, achieved over Lympne on 13 October 1923, was 13,850 ft (4,222 m).