The Anson was derived from the Avro 652 - two of which were built to an Imperial Airways order of 1933 - and was among the first aircraft in Europe to reach high performance by adopting the twin-engined, cantilever low-wing formula with retractable landing gear. Avro designers, having had experience with Fokker aircraft and derivatives, used a similar steel tube fuselage construction and basically moved the wooden wings of the earlier types from a high to a low position.
The production prototype flown in December 1935 was a forerunner of 7,195 Avro-built Anson I for the RAF, RN, RAAF, SAAF, RGAF, Greece and Egypt. Production Ansons were first issued to No 48 Squadron, which put the RAF's first low-wing, retractable landing gear monoplane into service on 6 March 1936. Armament included two 45kg and eight 9kg bombs, a forward-firing Vickers gun and a Lewis gun in a turret amidships. Operational with Coastal Command between 1936 and 1939 and for air-sea rescue until 1942, the majority were delivered as turretless trainers for the Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada, Australia and South Africa.
The Anson 10, introduced in 1943, had strengthened floors for continental freight runs by Air Transport Auxiliary. After the war surplus Ansons were sold to civil charter firms and the air forces of Belgium, Holland, Iran, Israel, Norway, Portugal and Saudi Arabia. Increased headroom, introduced in 1944, created the Anson 11 or 12 according to engine. The latter, furnished as a feeder-liner eight-seater, became the Avro 19 Series 1 or Series 2 (tapered metal wing) for the RAF, BEA and civil operators in the UK and abroad. Final variants of 1948-49 were Anson 18 trainers for Afghanistan and India; Anson T.20 (perspex nose) for navigation training in Southern Rhodesia; T.21 (metal nose) for the RAF in the UK; and T.22 radio trainer.
My first flight was as an ATC cadet in about 1950 /51 out of RAF Thorney Island. I can remember the metal framed canvas seat that I was sitting on coming adrift at some point during the flight!
I was a Cadet Air Signaller on Courses AS1 and AS3 at RAF Swanton Morley 1954 /5, and flew in Ansons during the Initial, Basic and Applied Stages, including the final qualifier to RAF St Mawgan. Have great memories!!
I remember an Anson at Finningley, probably a Mk21. It must have been in the station flight and was carpeted in pale blue carpet throughout. We ATC cadets managed to bum a flight in it, must have been about 1962. Happy days.
Would anyone know if & where it would be possible to experiance a flight on this aircraft? As i am trying to locate whether this is possible as a birthday gift for my Dad, should anyone be able to help please contact me on either my email address above or my mobile 07724 606079.
The first aircraft i saw on joining the RAF was Ansons at Swanton Morley AEOs training i was ground crew but had a lot of flying,test flights etc.Grand old lady our annies would like to build a flying model of Mk18 anyone any drawings
As a trainee PILOT I flew ANSONS for 6 months at BUNDABERG AUSTRALIA Winning my WINGS and COMMISSION in January 1944I loved flying the ANSON.It was disconcerting to see ANSON wings being stuck together in the hangars.They were not designed for the hot and humid conditions of BUNDABERGWihin a fortnight I was on a troopship NIEUW AMSTERDAM bound for the UK and Bomber Command
I worked on Ansons during my service in the RAF. I was stationed at RAF Station Ellenikon Greece in 1949. My trade was Air Wireless Mechanic. I have a photo of Anson VP530 parked in front of the Control Tower, and I wondered if it was traceable?
Quick after thought....Avro Anson 7135 was originally built in Amherst Nova Scotia and used for training during the Second World War. You can visit GMAM on the web and there are file photos from start to finish. Also, Greenwood Military Aviation Museum is a hidden gem in Canada, if you are ever in the area.
From 2003 to 2009 I worked with a crew at Greenwood rebuilding Avro Anson 7135. One day it will appear for public viewing in a new building at GMAM. It has been on display very briefly since it was completed. For static display only.
I worked Anson assembly in Dept. 12, Ottawa Car & aircraft Company, Ottawa, Canada in 1940 where we assembled Mk1 Ansons from England --- At the time we called them BAMBOO-BOMBERS ---- They had fixed props and Cheetah Engines & 120 turns on a crank to retract the wheels which as a 16 year old at the time was usually my privilege.All for the war effort!! By the way, they also had ignition keys ---
Not the aircraft. Barry 16.06.2009, I too was in the 1155 squadron Air Training Corps based in Cheshunt Drill Hall during the middle 70's with friends from school i.e. Mark Griggs, Barry Ruggles and a Corporal Reed to name but a few.
Asked a F /Sgt pilot for an Anson trip at RAF Waddington. Station Flight used 'em on comms flights between airfields and pilot was glad to oblige. Was radio fitter on Vulcans, my day off. Flew above 8 /8ths cloud once airbourne heading for Bovington. Using map for navigation the pilot descended below cloud as he reckoned we should be near destination but when he asked me if I recognised the small town we spotted below, I didn't so we were lost! He contacted Bovington Radar on VHF radio but they were unable to locate us! Wisely he climbed back to 3,000 feet above cloud and was relieved we now appeared on radar. Bovington then gave heading toward their airfield and handed over to their GCA talkdown approach from around 10 miles out. 5 miles out we broke into clear blue skies but you could tell from the controllers voice he was practically in stitches and to rub it in continued the talkdown right to the runway threshold. Luckily on the next leg to RAF Finningly our passenger was a wingco navigator!
My first flight was in an Anson Serial No PH823 at RAF Shawbury on 11th June 1957 when I was an Air Cadet. Later on 8th March 1959 I flew in WJ559 at Aberdeen (RAF Dyce) I wonder if anyone has photographs of eithe rof these aircraft as I would love to get a copy.
I flew joy flights around Gib in the Station Flight Anson with the passanger window removed. Wave hopping and waving up at passangers on ships we overtook. Another time in UK on an enjoyable flight, engrosed in the scenery, it was a shock when we had to let down. The pilot duddenly throttled back to idle and I thought "what the hell have we hit" as the decelaration was so violent. I think he did that to put the wind up me, and he did. It was nowhere near being an aerodymatic aircraft. What great days they were. Anyone who has not served in the armed forces hasn't lived.
There is an old Anson under restoration at Trenton, Ontario, Canada ...I've put a Youtube up under INDIEKLINE ...including an interview with members of the restoration team.
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