Flying Laboratory

The remains of AVRO Ashton WB491 at the Newark Air Museum. She was one of six Tudor 8 jet airliners that were modified by the A.V.Roe Company into the type 706 'Flying Laboratories'. Described as an "engine and systems test-bed" the last Ashton retired from service in 1962, with the type having undertaken a range of high altitude test and research programmes for various government departments and external agencies.