The Manchester factory that changed the course of human history
manchestereveningnews.co.ukJanuary 1, 2025, marked the 115th anniversary of British aircraft manufacturer Avro's founding in Manchester. Although its name lasted just over 50 years, the company will forever be remembered for its role in changing world history.
The Avro company was set up by Alliot Verdon Roe, son of Dr Edwin Hodson Roe of Patricroft. The history of Avro's Greengate plant in Chadderton can be traced back to the earliest days of aviation when, on June 8, 1908, Alliott Verdon Roe became the first Englishman to fly in an aeroplane of his own design.
After many encouraging flights, it was decided that his aircraft manufacturing company, Avro, would be formed. The company became fully established on New Year's Day, 1910, but it was not until the First World War broke out that it saw any significant expansion in aircraft manufacturing.
Roe himself and a young Roy Chadwick designed the AVRO 504 aircraft, which started life as a bomber but became the standard training aircraft for the Royal Flying Corps.
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