Avro Anson
(IWM Photo)
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft built by the aircraft manufacturer Avro. Large numbers of the type served in a variety of roles for the Royal Air Force (RAF), Fleet Air Arm (FAA), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and numerous other air forces before, during, and after the Second World War.
Initially known as the Avro 652A, the Anson was developed during the mid-1930s from the earlier Avro 652 airliner in response to a request for tenders issued by the British Air Ministry for a coastal maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Having suitably impressed the Ministry, a single prototype was ordered, which conducted its maiden flight on 24 March 1935. Following an evaluation in which the Type 652A bettered the competing de Havilland DH.89, it was selected as the winner, leading to Air Ministry Specification 18/35 being written around the type and an initial order for 174 aircraft being ordered in July 1935. The Type 652A was promptly named after British Admiral George Anson.
The type was placed into service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and was initially used in the envisaged maritime reconnaissance operation alongside the larger flying boats. After the outbreak of the Second World War, the Anson was soon found to have become obsolete in front-line combat roles. Large numbers of the type were instead put to use as a multi-engine aircrew trainer, having been found to be suitable for the role, and became the mainstay of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The type continued to be used in this role throughout and after the conflict, remaining in RAF service as a trainer and communications aircraft until 28 June 1968.
Post-war, a small number of Ansons (known as Avro 19s) were built new for the civilian market, along with a much larger number of civil conversions from surplus military stocks, being used as light transport and executive aircraft. By the end of production in 1952, a total of 8,138 Ansons had been constructed by Avro in nine variants. A further 2,882 aircraft were manufactured by Federal Aircraft Ltd in Canada from 1941. By the 21st century, the vast majority of Ansons had been retired, but three aircraft still appear at flying displays. (Wikipedia)
(David Merrett Photo)
(Mike Freer – Touchdown-aviation Photo)
Avro Anson Mk. XI (Serial No. N4877), Reg. No. G-AMDA, Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire.
(ozz13x Photo)
(Tim Felce Photo)
(John5199 Photo)
Avro Anson XIX, painted to represent Anson C.19 (Serial No. TX176), a 1946-built aircraft that flew from RAF Coningsby from 1957 to 1964, Reg. No. G-AHKX, The Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden, Bedfordshire.
(Tony Hisgett Photo)
(Rob Mitchell Photos)
(Classic Air Force Photo)
(Mike Freer – Touchdown-aviation Photo)
Avro Anson Mk. T.21 (Serial No. WD413), Reg. No. G-VROE, Classic Air Force, St. Mawgan, Newquay. Airworthy.
(Panhard Photo)
(Alan Wilson Photo)
Avro Anson Mk. I (Serial No. W2068), Reg. No. VH-ASM,. Built 1941 and delivered to 4 Service Flying Training School at Geraldton, shown here mounted on a Queen Mary trailer, Royal Air Force Museum London, Hendon.
(Rept0n1x Photo)
Avro Anson Mk. C.19 (Serial No. TX214), previously with the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Midlands. Now with the Avro Heritage Museum (AHM), Woodford. Built in 1946, this Anson flew with No. 16 Ferry Unit at St. Mawgan and from Dec 1951, with No. 31 Squadron at Hendon.
(Ken Fielding Photo)
Avro Anson Mk. C.19 (Serial No. TX219), Reg. No. G-AWRS, North East Aircraft Museum, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
(Ronnie Macdonald Photo)
Avro Anson Mk. C.19 (Serial No. VL348), Reg. G-AVV, Newark Air Museum, Winthorpe Airfield, Nottinghamshire.
(Ashley Dace Photo)
Avro Anson Mk. C.19 (Serial No. VL349), Reg. No. N5054, Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton, Suffolk.
(Ad Meskens Photo)
Avro Anson Mk. C.19 (Serial No. VM360), Reg. No. G-APHV, National Museum of Flight, East Fortune, Scotland.
(Richard Goring Photo)
(Ken Fielding Photo)
(calflier001 Photo)
Avro Anson Mk. 19, c/n 1212, Reg. No. G-AGPG, (EKCO), cockpit section being restored, slated for display in the Avro Heritage Centre, Woodford. At least 8,138 aircraft were built in Britain, with a further 2,882 in Canada.
(Craig Sunter Photo)
Avro Anson Mk. T.21 (Serial No. VV901), Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, Yorkshire.
Avro Anson C.19 (Serial No. TX226), built in 1946 and currently undergoing a major restoration. Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, Scotland. Anson TX226 was among a batch ordered by the RAF in Jan 1945. The type operated from Montrose with RAF Coastal Command’s 269 Squadron, usually on anti-submarine patrols over the North Sea during the Second World War.