RAF Gatow and the Avro York

The British aircraft Avro York played a crucial role in the success of the airlift. Few other aircraft, such as the C-74 Globemaster and the famous Douglas C-54, could transport 9,000kg of supplies on a single flight to blockaded West Berlin. Most of the Avro York's flights took off and landed at Gatow airfield. Although the Royal Air Force also deployed the Handley Page Hastings over Berlin, the fleet of Avro Yorks formed the backbone of the British contribution to the airlift.

The Avro York shared many features with the famous Avro Lancaster heavy bomber of the Royal Air Force. However, while the Lancaster was produced a total of 7,377 times, with a high production rate of one machine per day, the Avro York was only built in 258 examples. In addition to its use during the Berlin Airlift, the transportation of famous personalities such as Charles de Gaulle or Winston Churchill brought the Avro York into the spotlight of the world stage.