How many Avro Tutors were built?

Short answer

606 or 594 Avro Tutors were built, according to different sources (according to different sources). The RAF ordered 21 Trainers, 381 Tutors and 15 Sea Tutors, and there was licensed manufacture in South Africa, Denmark and Greece, although the South African figure is 57 or 49, according to different sources (according to different sources).

Published: November 6, 2026 · Updated: November 6, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Miles Magister 'P6382 - C' (G AJRS)Alan Wilson (CC BY SA), vía commons

A metal replacement for the Avro 504

The Avro 621 was designed by Roy Chadwick as a private venture by Avro to replace the Avro 504 with a metal aircraft. Its structure was based on steel tube. The prototype, registered G-AAKT, first flew in September 1929. It could carry a 155 hp Armstrong Siddeley Mongoose engine.

The RAF orders

Production began with an order for three Tutors for the Irish Free State and 21 Trainers for the Royal Air Force. The RAF adopted it as a basic trainer and in 1933 it replaced the 504. Among the units that used it in quantity were the Royal Air Force College and the Central Flying School. In addition to the 21 Trainers, the RAF went on to order 381 Tutors and 15 Avro 646 Sea Tutors. In total, 606 or 594 Tutors were built, according to different sources (according to different sources).

Licensed manufacture

Under licence, 57 or 49 were manufactured in South Africa, according to different sources (according to different sources), and three at the Danish Naval Arsenal. The South African Air Force operated 60 aircraft. 30 Tutors were exported to Greece and at least 61 more were manufactured there under licence, by KEA. The other record attributes those 61 to the Greek State Aircraft Factory.