Alliott Verdon Roe

The A.V. Roe Aircraft Company, established on 1 January 1910, marked a transition in British aviation from experimental flight trials to industrial-scale manufacturing. Alliott Verdon Roe, its founder, secured his position in aeronautical history by becoming the first Englishman to successfully fly an all-British machine, following years of mechanical experimentation and observation of avian flight patterns.

Early Maritime and Engineering Background

Born in 1877 in Manchester, Roe spent his early years pursuing diverse technical training. After a period in Canada and an apprenticeship with the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway, he sought a career in marine engineering. Although he did not complete studies at King's College London, he gained practical experience serving as an engineer aboard merchant vessels, including the SS Jebba and SS Ichanga. It was during these maritime voyages that he began conceptualizing flying machines based on the mechanics of soaring albatrosses.

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Pioneering Flight Experiments

Roe’s entry into formal aviation was marked by his tenure as secretary of the Royal Aero Club and subsequent work as a draughtsman on a twin-rotored aircraft project in the United States. Following this, he focused on building his own designs. Using prize money from a 1907 Daily Mail competition, he constructed the Roe I Biplane at his brother’s stables in Putney. Initial trials took place at Brooklands between 1907 and 1908. He later moved his operations to Walthamstow Marshes, where he successfully flew his triplane in 1909.

Industrial Expansion and Corporate Legacy

Alongside his brother Humphrey, Roe launched the A.V. Roe Aircraft Co. at Brownsfield Mill in Manchester. The company achieved significant commercial success with the Avro 504 model, which saw production exceed 8,300 units for the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force. In 1928, Roe sold his shares to acquire the S. E. Saunders Co., subsequently establishing Saunders-Roe. His contributions to the field were formally recognized with a knighthood in 1929.

Personal Life and Later Years

In 1933, he formally changed his surname to Verdon-Roe. His later life was marked by political activity within the British Union of Fascists and a dedicated interest in monetary reform. During the Second World War, he lost two sons, Eric and Lighton, both of whom served as squadron leaders in the Royal Air Force. He died on 4 January 1958 at St Mary's Hospital in Portsmouth and was interred at St Andrew’s in Hamble.