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| A woman pilot of the Air Transport Auxiliary in the cockpit of an Avro Anson (N5060), which was used to collect and deliver pilots. Imperial War Museum photo TR 34. |
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.
General Information
Type: Multi-role aircraft, primarily a trainer
National origin: United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Avro (UK) / Federal Aircraft Limited (Canada)
Primary users:
Royal Air Force
Fleet Air Arm
Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
Number built: 11,020
Manufactured: 1930s–1952
Introduction date: 1936
First flight: 24 March 1935
Retired: 28 June 1968 (RAF)
Developed from: Avro 652
Development
The Avro Anson was a twin-engine, low-wing cantilever monoplane. Developed as a general reconnaissance aircraft, it possessed many features that lent itself to the role, including considerable load-carrying ability, and long range. The structure of the Anson was relatively straightforward and uncomplicated, relying on proven methods and robust construction to produce an airframe that minimized maintenance requirements. Much of the internal structure retained similarities to the earlier Avro 652 airliner from which it had been developed. The Anson Mk I was furnished with a low-mounted one-piece wooden wing, composed of a combination of plywood and spruce throughout the wingbox and ribs. The fuselage was composed of a welded steel tubing framework which was principally clad in fabric; the exterior of the nose was clad in magnesium alloy.
The Avro Anson was a twin-engine, low-wing cantilever monoplane. Developed as a general reconnaissance aircraft, it possessed many features that lent itself to the role, including considerable load-carrying ability, and long range. The structure of the Anson was relatively straightforward and uncomplicated, relying on proven methods and robust construction to produce an airframe that minimized maintenance requirements. Much of the internal structure retained similarities to the earlier Avro 652 airliner from which it had been developed. The Anson Mk I was furnished with a low-mounted one-piece wooden wing, composed of a combination of plywood and spruce throughout the wingbox and ribs. The fuselage was composed of a welded steel tubing framework which was principally clad in fabric; the exterior of the nose was clad in magnesium alloy.
The Anson was powered by a pair of Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX seven-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, which were each rated at 350 horsepower (260 kW). Each engine was provided with its own duplicated fuel pumps and separate fuel and oil tanks; the tanks were composed of welded aluminum and mounted in cradles housed within the wing. The engine cowlings were intentionally designed to have a reduced diameter in order to reduce their negative impact on external visibility, which was considered to be valuable to the type's reconnaissance function. These engines drove two-bladed Fairey-built metal propellers.
The Anson was the first aircraft equipped with retractable landing gear to enter service with the RAF. While the main undercarriage was retracted into recesses set into the bottom of the engine nacelles, the tail wheel was fixed in position. Commonly, the undercarriage was fitted with Dunlop-built wheels, tires and pneumatic brakes and Turner legs. The retractable undercarriage was mechanically operated by hand; 144 turns of a crank handle, situated beside the pilot's seat, were needed. To avoid this laborious process, early aircraft would often perform short flights with the landing gear remaining extended throughout, which would reduce the aircraft's cruising speed by 30 mph (50 km/h).
Initially, the Anson was flown by a crew of three, which comprised a pilot, a navigator/bomb-aimer and a radio operator/gunner, when it was used in the maritime reconnaissance role; from 1938 onwards, it was typically operated by a four-man crew. The bomb-aimer would perform his function from a prone position in the forward section of the nose, which was provisioned with a bombsight, driftsight, and other appropriate instrumentation, including a landing light. The pilot was located in a cockpit behind the bomb aimer's position and was provided with a variety of contemporary instrumentation, including those to enable flight under instrument flight rules (IFR) and indirect instrument lighting for night flying purposes.
Immediately behind the pilot's position is a small folding seat fixed to the starboard side of the fuselage for an additional crew member or passenger, along with racks that would contain a pair of parachute packs that would be clipped onto the harnesses worn by both the pilot and the navigator. Behind these is the navigator's station, a chair and table provisioned with navigational aids such as compasses, Bigsworth chart boards, sea markers, slide rules for course, wind and speed, a signaling lamp and float flares. Aft of the rear spar is the wireless operator's station – a table with contemporary wireless equipment, including a winch for the trailing aerial, which was attached to the upper fuselage immediately behind the aircraft's cockpit.
The armaments of the Anson consisted of a single .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun which was fixed within the forward fuselage and aimed by the pilot, while an Armstrong Whitworth-built manually operated gun turret located on the Anson's dorsal section was fitted with a single Lewis gun. Additionally, up to 360 pounds (160 kg) of bombs, which could consist of a maximum of two 100 pounds (45 kg) and eight 20 pounds (9 kg) bombs, could be carried in the aircraft's wings. Those Ansons that were used in the training role were outfitted with dual controls and usually had the gun turret removed, although specific aircraft used for gunnery training were fitted with a Bristol hydraulically operated gun turret, similar to that used in the Bristol Blenheim. The tail fairing of the starboard nacelle contains an inflatable dinghy which is provided with automatic actuators and marine distress beacons.
Specifications
Crew: 3–4
Length: 42 ft 3 in (12.88 m)
Wingspan: 56 ft 6 in (17.22 m)
Height: 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m)
Wing area: 463 sq ft (43.0 m2)
Empty weight: 5,375 lb (2,438 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight: 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX 7-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 335 hp (250 kW) each
Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propellers
Maximum speed: 188 mph (303 km/h, 163 kn) at 7,000 ft (2,100 m)
Cruise speed: 158 mph (254 km/h, 137 kn)
Range: 660 mi (1,060 km, 570 nmi)
Service ceiling: 19,000 ft (5,800 m)
Rate of climb: 960 ft/min (4.9 m/s)
Guns:
1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) machine gun in front fuselage
1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers K machine gun in dorsal turret
Bombs:
360 lb (160 kg) of bombs
Operational History
On 6 March 1936, the Anson entered RAF service, No. 48 Squadron was the first RAF unit to be equipped with the type. Upon the type's introduction, it represented a new level of capability for the service, serving not only in a general reconnaissance capacity but also being an effective general-purpose aircraft In July 1937, a Coastal Command Anson was fitted with an experimental airborne early warning radar which was able to detect large warships 5 miles (8.0 km) away in poor visibility and was successfully used in fleet exercises off the east coast of England in September.
By the outbreak of the Second World War, the RAF had received a total of 824 Ansons while there were 26 RAF squadrons that were then operating the Anson I: 10 of these were assigned to Coastal Command and the other 16 were with Bomber Command. By 1939, all of the squadrons assigned to Bomber Command that had been equipped with the Anson I served as operational training squadrons which were used to prepare crews for frontline service. 12 of the squadrons were in No. 6 (Operational Training) Group. Newly formed crews, having previously completed individual flying and technical training courses, were first trained as bomber crews in Ansons before advancing to the various frontline aircraft types, which were in the same squadrons with the Ansons. After training the crews would advance to the frontline bomber squadrons with aircraft such as the Fairey Battle, Bristol Blenheim, Vickers Wellington, Armstrong Whitworth Whitley or Handley-Page Hampden.
Even before the start of the war, it had been realized that the Anson's limited capabilities would make it ineffective in its intended main role as a maritime patrol aircraft. In 1938, it had been decided to replace the Anson in this role with the American-built Lockheed Hudson, which was 100 mph faster, had three times the range, carried a much heavier bomb load and had a superior defensive armament. The first squadron to be reequipped with the type was already training with them in September 1939. Meanwhile, the remaining Coastal Command Anson squadrons had to go to war with what they had. The Anson had an endurance of only four hours so it could only be employed in the North Sea and other coastal areas; however, it lacked the range to reach the coast of Norway. Its weapons against German U-boats were two small 100 lb bombs, which required a direct hit on the hull of a submarine to be effective, at least in theory. On 3 December 1939, an Anson mistakenly attacked a surfaced Royal Navy submarine, HMS Snapper, and although the aircraft succeeded in hitting the conning tower, the only damage was four broken light bulbs. In an earlier friendly fire incident off the coast of Scotland in September, the bombs of an Anson of No. 233 Squadron had bounced off the surface of the water and exploded in an air burst, which holed the aircraft's fuel tanks causing it to ditch off St Andrews. Despite numerous claims of attacks on U-boats by Ansons in the first months of the war, postwar examination of German records showed that little damage had been inflicted.
Despite their obsolescence, Ansons were employed during the Dunkirk evacuation to deter attacks on Allied shipping by German E-boats. On 1 June 1940, a flight of three Ansons was attacked near Dunkirk by nine Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109s. According to the unsubstantiated claims, one Anson destroyed two German aircraft and damaged a third, while no Ansons were lost.
The aircraft achieved more success training pilots for flying multi-engined bombers, such as the Avro Lancaster. Ansons were first deployed to Flying Training Schools in November 1936, replacing the obsolete bombers then used for twin-engine training. The Anson was also used to train the other members of a bomber's aircrew, such as navigators, wireless operators, bomb aimers and air gunners. Postwar, the Anson continued in the training and light transport roles. The last Ansons were withdrawn from RAF service with communications units on 28 June 1968.
During the 1939–45 war years, the British Air Transport Auxiliary operated the Anson as its standard taxi aircraft, using it to carry groups of ferry pilots to and from aircraft collection points. There was no fatal mechanical failure of an Anson in ATA service, and it was typically very well regarded.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) initially ordered 33 Ansons in November 1935 to fill the maritime reconnaissance role. The first were delivered in 1936 and 48 were in service before the start of the war. The RAAF eventually operated a total of 1,028 Ansons, the majority of these being Mk Is. These aircraft continued to be operated until 1955.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) operated 23 Ansons as navigation trainers during the Second World War, (alongside the more numerous Airspeed Oxford), and acquired more Ansons as communication aircraft immediately after the war. A preserved navigation trainer is in the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram.
The Royal Indian Air Force operated several Ansons as part of the No.1 Service Flying Training School (India) for Pilot and Navigation training. These Ansons continued this role post-independence and were retired at an unknown date.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) operated 4,413 Anson aircraft, 1,962 built in Britain and 2,451 built in Canada. The RCN operated the aircraft until 1952. Although the Canadian Ansons were used throughout the training schools of the British Commonwealth Air Training plan for training aircrew, some aircraft were pressed into operational service with the RCAF's Eastern Air Command. A good example of the training schools' involvement in combat operations with the EAC during the emergency of the battle is illustrated in an article dated 1 March 2006 of the Royal Canadian Legion magazine entitled Eastern Air Command: Air Force, Part 14; the author Hugh A. Haliday wrote: "The need for Atlantic patrols was undiminished, yet the Battle of the St. Lawrence stretched EAC resources. Based at Charlottetown, 31 General Reconnaissance School was mobilized to fly patrols using Avro Ansons, each carrying two 250-pound bombs. At the very outset of the war, the Anson and its ordnance had failed in RAF anti-submarine work. Now in Canada, it was remobilized as an aerial scarecrow. German views varied as to Canadian countermeasures. The captain of U-517 found his operations increasingly restricted by strengthened air patrols. In October 1942, U-69 reported "strong sea patrol and constant patrol by aircraft with radar."
The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), employed 50 Canadian-built Ansons, which were designated the AT-20.
The Egyptian Air Force (EAF) operated a fleet of Ansons in communications and VIP duties. A specially outfitted Anson was presented to the then King of Egypt by the RAF. The Royal Afghan Air Force obtained 13 Anson 18 aircraft for various duties from 1948. These aircraft survived until 1972.
Postwar Civil Use
After the war, Ansons continued in production with Avro at Woodford. At this time, large amounts of the type were being converted for civilian use, where they were operated as light transports by a range of small charter airlines and as executive aircraft by large corporations. Countries that saw civilian operations with Ansons included the United Kingdom, Canada (Mk. V aircraft only), Australia and Mexico.
Railway Air Services operated Ansons on scheduled services from London's Croydon Airport via Manchester to Belfast (Nutts Corner) in 1946 and 1947. Sivewright Airways operated three Mk XIX aircraft from their Manchester Airport base on local charter flights, flights to Jersey, and Ronaldsway Airport in the Isle of Man until 1951. Finglands Airways operated an ex-RAF Anson I on inclusive tour flights and on scheduled flights from Manchester Airport to Newquay Airport between 1949 and 1952. Kemps Aerial Surveys operated several Anson XIXs on survey work within the UK until their retirement in 1973.
In 1948, India ordered 12 new Anson 18Cs for use by the Directorate of Civil Aviation as trainers and communications aircraft; these were delivered from Yeadon in the spring of 1949.
Ansons continued to be manufactured by Avro at Woodford for the RAF until March 1952; the type was used as trainers and served in the role of Station communications aircraft until 1968.
The wooden wings of Ansons flying in Australia were found to fail at a high rate. The phenolic glue bonds would part, and it was speculated that the problem was due to the high humidity. In 1962, the Commonwealth Government decided to ground the majority of wooden-winged aircraft then in operation; amongst those aircraft affected, the Anson and De Havilland Mosquito were included. Of the Ansons, no such aircraft were re-registered as the government had mandated a test that essentially destroyed the wings, thus requiring the fitting of new wings. Most owners decided to voluntarily scrap their aircraft well before this time.
During the late 20th century, the vast majority of Ansons were retired, with three aircraft still appearing at flying displays, two in the UK, one in New Zealand. A fourth aircraft in Canada was being restored to airworthiness in 2016.
Accidents and Incidents
On 11 September 1937, Anson K8778 of No. 233 Squadron RAF crashed in poor visibility on the Gisborough Moor escarpment, above Guisborough in the North Riding of Yorkshire, while returning from an exercise with the Royal Navy; all four crew were killed.
On 10 August 1938, RAAF Anson A4-29 came out of dense cloud and crashed into Arthurs Seat, Victoria killing four crew members. There was one survivor.
On 28 April 1939, Anson A4-32 of No. 6 Squadron RAAF crashed near Riverstone, New South Wales on the return leg of an air navigation course, killing all four crew members.
On 18 December 1939, Anson N4887 of 1 Flying Training School crashed on the Richmond Golf Course shortly after take-off from the Richmond RAAF Base, killing all five crew members.
On 29 September 1940, Ansons L9162 and N4876 of No. 2 Service Flying Training School RAAF collided in mid-air and became locked together in flight. A successful emergency landing was made at Brocklesby, New South Wales. L9162 became a ground instructional airframe, whilst N4876 was repaired and returned to service (see 1940 Brocklesby mid-air collision).
On 8 November 1940, Anson N9945 piloted by RAF Pilot Officer Frederick Phillip Fry struck a barrage balloon cable near Birmingham and crashed killing all five on board.
On 28 January 1941, RAAF Anson A4-5 left Parkes bound for Mascot on a medical evacuation flight. It approached Glenbrook and suffered a structural failure of the port wing crashing near the corner of Cliffton Ave and Lucasville Road killing all five on board.
On 13 April 1941, Anson N9857 of 19 Operational Training Unit from RAF Kinloss crashed on Beinn an Fhurain at an altitude of 2,300 feet (701 m) approximately 3 miles (5 km) east of Inchnadamph. At least 4 of the 6 aircrew survived the crash but died of exposure in blizzard conditions. Their bodies are buried at the crash site.
On 17 April 1942, Anson W2630 of RAF Wigtown crashed into the east side of Galloway mountain Cairnsmore of Fleet near Creetown, southwest Scotland. The aircraft exploded on impact, killing the pilot and a civilian passenger. The wireless operator survived with severe burns.
On 2 July 1942, Anson Mk.I N5297 of No.2 Observers Advanced Flying Unit (O)AFU crashed on Shalloch-on-Minnoch, South Ayrshire, during a navigation training flight out of Millom, Cumbria. All five airmen, including three trainees, were killed.
On 9 October 1942, four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airmen were killed when their Anson crashed near Clackline, Western Australia. The crew are commemorated by the Avro Anson Memorial.
On 30 October 1942, an Anson took off from Sidney airport on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, with Royal Canadian Air Force Sgt. William Baird and British Air Force Pilot Officer Charles Fox, Pilot Officer Anthony Lawrence and Sgt. Robert Luckock aboard. The aircraft crashed, killing all aboard, 50 kilometers (30 mi) from takeoff, on a remote mountainside near Port Renfrew. The wreckage and remains of the crew were found by loggers in October 2013 and recovered in May 2014.
On 2 November 1942, Anson DG919 of 67 Squadron RAAF (attached Laverton) crashed at Mallacoota Airfield in Victoria, Australia, killing crew members Sergeant John Hueston Sawrey, Sergeant Leonard Arthur Lupton and Sergeant Ralph Cassidy. The aircraft over ran the runway and crashed into a quarry and the three 100 lb A/S bombs on board the aircraft exploded.
On 28 November 1942, Anson I N9838 of 38 Air Navigation School (Canada) RAF operating from RCAF Port Albert was lost over Lake Huron during a routine night-time training mission. The aircraft's last position was recorded approximately 15 minutes flying time from the airfield, after which contact was lost. The bodies of pilot, Sergeant Leslie Shaw, Flight Sergeant Robert Brown (of the Free French Airforce - also known as Robert Basquin), Leading Aircraftman Cecil James and Aircraftman First Class William Addis were never recovered. No official cause for the crash was identified but it was speculated that wing icing may have contributed.
On 7 December 1943, another piggy-back accident occurred when RCAF #18 SFTS Anson II JS193 came down on top of Anson II JS167 in the landing circuit at Gimli, Manitoba. Both aircraft landed safely still entangled, and both were later repaired.
On 19 January 1944, RCAF #2 Training Command, Anson II #7164 landed on top of Anson II #8561 and again both landed safely but entangled. Anson #7164 was a write-off, but #8561 was repaired.
On 13 February 1944, a USAAF 29(PR) Squadron AT-20 (Anson II) 43-8197 crashed on takeoff at Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2Lt S.F. Jankowski killed, pilot V.N. Luber injured. The pilots had forgotten to remove the gust locks from the controls. This was the only fatal accident involving a USAAF AT-20.
On 19 December 1945, a Companhia Meridional de Transportes Anson Mk. II registration PP-MTA crashed in the neighbourhood of Itaipu, Niterói, Brazil killing all passengers and crew, including the pilot and owner of the airline, Álvaro Araújo.
On 14 December 1947, a Mark 1 AX505, ex VH-BBY, recently purchased by the Indonesian government and numbered RI-003, was being used to transport war equipment and medicine. It crashed in the sea between Malaya and Sumatra. The two crew were killed and were later appointed Indonesian National Heroes. There is a memorial to them with a sculpture of the aircraft.
On 11 June 1948, Avro XIX G-AGNI of Lancashire Aircraft Corporation ditched off Bradda Head, Isle of Man due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Squires Gate Airport, Blackpool to Ronaldsway Airport, Isle of Man via RAF Walney Island, Lancashire. All nine people on board were rescued by a trawler from Port Erin and the MV Silkthorn.
Variants
The main Anson variant was the Mk I, of which 6,704 were built in Britain. The other variants were mainly distinguished by their powerplant with Canadian-built Ansons using local engines. To overcome steel shortages, the 1,051 Canadian-built Mk V Ansons featured a plywood fuselage.
Mk I: 6,688 Mk Is were built. Powered by two 350 hp (260 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX or 395 hp (295 kW) XIX engines.
Mk II: 1,401 Mk IIs were built in Canada; powered by two 330 hp (250 kW) Jacobs L-6MB R-915 engines and fitted with hydraulic landing gear retraction rather than the manual system used on the Anson I.
Mk III: 432 Mk I aircraft converted in Canada to two 330 hp (250 kW) Jacobs L-6MB R-915 engines.
Mk IV: One aircraft converted from a Mk I in Canada to two Wright R-975 Whirlwind engines.
Mk V: 1,069 Mk Vs were built in Canada for navigator training powered by two 450 hp (340 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior engines and given a new wood monocoque fuselage. 77 early Mk. V aircraft built using Mk. II components were designated Mk. VA.
Mk VI: One aircraft was built in Canada for bombing and gunnery training; it was powered by two 450 hp (340 kW) R-985 Wasp Junior engines.
Mk X: 104 Anson Mk Is were converted into Mk Xs with a reinforced floor, for use as a transport.
Mk XI: 90 Anson Mk Is were converted into Mk XIs.
Mk XII: 20 Anson Mk Is were converted into Mk XIIs, plus 221 new Mk XII aircraft built.
Mk XIII: Gunnery trainer powered by two Cheetah XI or XIX engines; never built.
Mk XIV: Gunnery trainer powered by two Cheetah XV engines; never built.
Mk XV: Bombing trainer; never built.
Mk XVI: Navigation trainer; never built.
C 19: 264 were built for the RAF; used as communications and transport aircraft.
T 20: Navigation trainer for the RAF, a variant of the Mk XIX to meet Air Ministry Specification T.24/46 for an overseas navigation trainer, one pilot two wireless operators (one trainee and one instructor) and five navigator positions (three trainees and two instructors). Used for bombing and navigation training in Southern Rhodesia, 60 built.
T 21: Navigation trainers for the RAF, a variant of the Mk XIX to meet Air Ministry Specification T.25/46 for a home navigation trainer, one pilot two wireless operators (one trainee and one instructor) and five navigator positions (three trainees and two instructors). A prototype was flown in May 1948, 252 were built.
C.21: Modification of T.21s for communications and transport duties.
T 22: Radio trainers for the RAF, a variant of the Mk XIX to meet Air Ministry Specification T.26/46, one pilot and four wireless operator stations (three for trainees and one for an instructor), a prototype was flown in June 1948, 54 built.
Anson 18: Developed from the Avro Nineteen; 12 aircraft were sold to the Royal Afghan Air Force for use as communications, police patrol and aerial survey aircraft.
Anson 18C: 13 aircraft were built for the Indian government; used for training civil aircrews.
Avro Nineteen: (Also known as the Anson XIX): Civil transport version; 56 aircraft were built in two series.
AT-20: United States military designation for Canadian-built Anson IIs used by the United States Army Air Forces, 50 built.
Operators
Afghanistan
Argentina
Australia
Bahrain
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Cuba
Czechoslovakia
Egypt
Estonia
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Greece
India
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Paraguay
Portugal
Portuguese Timor
Rhodesia
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Southern Rhodesia
Syria
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States
Yugoslavia
Surviving Aircraft
Australia
On Display
W2068 - Anson 1 VH-ASM. On public display in glass walled building at Tamworth Airport Tamworth NSW Australia. Operated post WW2 by East West Airlines (their first aircraft) then Marshall Airways.
W2121 – Anson I on static display at the Aviation Heritage Museum at Bull Creek, Western Australia.
W2364 – Anson I displayed at the Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre in Nhill, Victoria.
AX350 – Anson I on static display at the Lincoln Nitschke Aviation Collection at Greenock, South Australia.
Stored or Under Restoration
R9883 – Anson I stored at the Camden Museum of Aviation, New South Wales - closed to the general public since 2008.
W2472 – Anson I under restoration at the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre in Amberley, Queensland.
EF954 – Anson I under restoration at the South Australian Aviation Museum in Port Adelaide, South Australia. The restoration uses parts from AW965.
LV284 – Anson I under restoration at the Avro Anson Museum in Ballarat, Victoria.
MG222 – Anson I under restoration at the Queensland Air Museum in Caloundra, Queensland.
MG422 – Anson I (remains only) on display at the Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum, New South Wales.
Canada
On Display
Unknown – Anson II on static display at the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton, Alberta.
Unknown – Anson II on static display at the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum in Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
7481 – Anson II on static display at the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton, Alberta.
12125 – Anson V on static display at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon, Manitoba.
12518 – Anson V on static display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.
Composite – Anson II at The Hangar Flight Museum in Calgary, Alberta. It painted as RCAF 7401.
Composite – Anson II on static display at the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Sidney, British Columbia. This airframe is K8786, restored using parts of FP846, as which it is painted.
R9725 – Anson I on static display at the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Unknown – Anson II on static display at the National Air Force Museum of Canada in Trenton, Ontario.
Stored or Under Restoration
6081 - Anson Mk.I under restoration to static display at Saskatchewan aviation museum in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
12417 – Anson V under restoration to airworthy condition at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario.
12477 – Anson V stored at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
Czech Republic
Airworthy
OO-ANS (formerly RAF/RAAF MH120) now painted to represent RAF Coastal Command K6183 – Anson I airworthy with R.A.F. Station Czechoslovakia at Podhořany u Ronova, Czech Republic.
Ireland
On Display
141 – Avro C.19 on static display at the Irish Air Corps Museum in Baldonnel, County Dublin.
Netherlands
On Display
VM352 – Anson 19 on static display at the Canadian Allied Forces Museum Foundation in Groningen.
New Zealand
On Display
Composite – Anson I on static display at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Wigram, Canterbury. This airframe is a composite of several aircraft including the fuselage of NZ415, centre section, mainplane, and tailplane of VL352, and various other parts from NZ410 and NZ422.
United Arab Emirates
On Display
TX183 – Anson 19 on display at Al Mahatta Museum in Sharjah.
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Airworthy
G-AHKX – Anson XIX airworthy with the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome, Bedfordshire. Formerly operated by the collection on behalf of the BAe Systems Heritage Flight, the aircraft was donated to the collection in 2022.
WD413 – Anson C.21, now privately owned and registered as G-VROE. It was previously operated by Classic Air Force at Coventry Airport.
On Display
N4877 – Anson I on static display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford in Duxford, Cambridgeshire.
LT773 VH-AZU – Anson I fuselage on static display at the Royal Air Force Museum London in London.
TX213 – Anson C.19 on static display at the North East Land, Sea and Air Museums in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.
TX214 – Anson C.19 on static display at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in Cosford, Shropshire.
TX266 – Anson C.19 on static display whilst under restoration at Montrose Air Station Museum.
VL348 – Anson C.19 on static display at the Newark Air Museum in Newark, Nottinghamshire.
VL349 – Anson C.19 on static display at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum in Flixton, Suffolk.
VM360 – Anson C.19 on static display at the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune, East Lothian.
Stored or Under Restoration
AX246 – Anson I under restoration with Jet Art Aviation near Leeds, Yorkshire.
TX235 – Anson C.19 under restoration with the Classic Air Force near Coventry, West Midlands.
VM325 – Anson C.19 under restoration with the Carew Control Tower Group in Carew, Pembrokeshire.
VV901 – Anson T.21 under restoration to static display at the Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington, North Yorkshire.
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Gunston, Bill (1995). Classic World War II Aircraft Cutaways. London, UK: Osprey.
Heinonen, Timo; Valtonen, Hannu (2010). Albatrossista Pilatukseen – Suomen sotilaslentokoneet 1917–2010 (in Finnish). Tikkakoski, Finland: Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseo.
Jackson, A. J. (1990). Avro Aircraft Since 1908 (2nd ed.). London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books.
Hall, Alan W. (2006). Avro Anson Mks. 1–22. Warpaint Series. Vol. 53. Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, UK: Warpaint Books Ltd.
Hall, Alan W.; Taylor, Eric (1972). Avro Anson Marks I, III, IV & X. London, UK: Almark Publishing Co. Ltd.
Holmes, Harry (2000). Avro Anson. Images of Aviation. London, UK: Tempus Publishing Ltd.
Lawrence, Joseph (1945). The Observer's Book Of Airplanes. London and New York: Frederick Warne & Co.
Lopes, Mario C. (January 2000). "Les avions Avro au Portugal: des inconnu aux plus célèbres" [Portuguese Avro Aircraft: From the Unknown to the Most Famous]. Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et Son Histoire (in French) (82): 28–33.
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Middleton, Don (April 1980). "RAF Piston Trainers No. 8: Avro Anson". Aeroplane Monthly. Vol. 8, no. 4. pp. 186–193.
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| Avro Ansons ready for the take off. Imperial War Museum photo HU 129267. |
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| Original wartime caption: The Avro Anson is a general reconnaissance and advanced training machine of unusually roomy construction and good visibility. A low wing cantilever monoplane, power by two x 310 h.p. Armstrong-Siddeley Cheetah IX engines. August 1939. Imperial War Museum photo CH 138. |
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| Avro Anson cutaway. Imperial War Museum photo HU 129268. |
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| Anson Mark I gunnery trainer, LT112, which served with the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment and the Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit, at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. Imperial War Museum photo MH 5622. |
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| Anson Mark I, R9816, on the ground at the A V Roe & Co factory at Woodford, Cheshire, after fitting with Wright R-975-E engines as a testbed for the Anson Mark IV. Following service as a test aircraft with the manufacturers, the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, and the Royal Aircraft Establishment, R9816 was eventually passed to the RCAF as a trainer. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 10666B. |
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| Anson Mark I, L9150, of No. 1 Coast Artillery Cooperation Unit, on the ground at Gosport, Hampshire. Imperial War Museum photo MH 133. |
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| Anson Mark XII, NL175, on the ground. This aircraft later served with Communications Flight of No. 85 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 13353F. |
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| Two Anson Mark Is, K6285 and N9742, of No. 321 (Dutch) Squadron RAF based at Carew Cheriton, Pembrokeshire, flying northwest of Tenby. K6285 still bears the unit code letters ('MW') of No. 217 Squadron, to which it formerly belonged. Imperial War Museum photo C 2119. |
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| Anson Mark XI, NK870, of the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 13012B. |
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| Anson C Mark XII, PH693, of No. 167 Squadron RAF based at Blackbushe, Hertfordshire, on the ground at Hendon, Middlesex. Imperial War Museum photo CH 16492. |
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| Two Anson Mark Is, K6285 and N9742, of No. 321 (Dutch) Squadron RAF based at Carew Cheriton, Pembrokeshire, in flight northwest of Tenby. K6285 still bears the unit code letters ('MW') of No. 217 Squadron RAF, to which it formerly belonged. (Port three-quarter front view). Imperial War Museum photo C 2117. |
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| Anson Mark X, LT764, on the ground at Yeadon, Yorkshire, following completion by A V Roe & Co. Ltd.. This aircraft served successively with the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment, Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment and the Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 12628F. |
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| Avro Ansons of No 220 Squadron flying in formation over a convoy, 1939. Imperial War Museum photo HU 91217. |
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| Avro Anson Mark 1 K8785 of No.217 Squadron, in flight with other aircraft, 1937. Imperial War Museum photo HU 64551. |
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| Line-up of Avro Anson Mark 1s (N5234 nearest), of No. 502 Squadron RAuxAF, at Aldergrove. Imperial War Museum photo MH 33967. |
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| An Anson of No 502 Squadron undergoing a major inspection at Aldergrove, near Belfast, April 1940. Imperial War Museum photo MH 33968. |
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| Applying theory they have learnt in class work inside an Avro Anson machine. Imperial War Museum photo HU 129266. |
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| Original wartime caption: The Avro "Anson" is a general reconnaissance and advanced training machine of unusually roomy construction and good visibility. A low-wing cantilever monoplane, powered by two Armstrong-Siddeley "CHEETAH IX" engines each developing 310 h.p. The navigator of an Anson bomber checks his course. Imperial War Museum photo CH 624. |
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| Original wartime caption: The Avro 'Anson' is a general reconnaissance and advanced training machine of unusually roomy construction and good visibility. A low-wing cantilever monoplane powered by two Armstrong-Siddeley "CHEETAH IX" engines each developing 310 h.p. The first and second pilots at the controls of an "Anson" aircraft. Imperial War Museum photo CH 603. |
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| An Anson in flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 8997. |
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| An Anson in flight. Imperial War Museum photo CH 8996. |
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| Twin-engine (Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX radials), low-wing monoplane, retractable undercarriage, crew of 3 or 4. Developed in the 1930s as a multi-role aircraft for the RAF and FAA, and then employed by the RAF as an aircrew trainer. Imperial War Museum photo 2010.20.1. |
This was built at the Avro factory at Newton Heath, Manchester and was taken on charge by the Royal Air Force on Nov 17, 1938. It was delivered to 26 M.U. Lowley on December 2nd for ferry work, and transferred to No. 2 Ferry Pilots' Pool at Filton on February 4, 1939.
With the formation of the Air Transport Auxiliary, it was transferred to their No.3 F.P.P. at White Waltham on May 2, 1940 and remained there when the unit was renumbered as No. 1 F.P.P. in November.
A flying accident on March 19, 1941 necessitated repairs by Marshall's Flying School, Cambridge, and the Anson returned to White Waltham on Jan 4, 1942, where it remained for the rest of the war with the A.T.A.
In Sept 1945 it was given a major inspection by Western Airways at Weston, and then delivered to the Station Flight at Watchfield on April 5, 1946.
Another accident on May 8, 1947 caused its transfer to 48 M.U. Hawarden, whence it was removed for repair by the manufacturers in Feb 1948.
On Oct 13, it was delivered to 23 M.U. Aldergrove, and on March 16, 1949 it returned to Watchfield again.
On March 14, 1950 it was flown to 5 M.U. at Kemble for disposal, and the Air Navigation & Trading Co. Ltd bought it in July 1950. They registered the aircraft as G-AMDA and flew it to Squires Gate. It was issued a Certificate of Airworthiness on Oct 14, 1953.
In Aug 1955, it was sold to Derby Aviation Ltd for magnetic survey work under contract to the Nuffield Foundation, in association with Canadian Aero Service Ltd.
After conversion at Burnaston, it was used for towing an aerial magnetometer "bird", with special recording gear installed in the cabin.
This work continued at intervals until the end of 1961, when it was transferred to the London School of Flying at Elstree for general pilot training and twin conversion work, which continued until the C. of A. expired in Dec 1962.
On August 31, 1963 it was flown to Skyfame Ltd Staverton on a special permit. There it was repainted in R.A.F. markings of the early war period, with the code letters VX-F. This code group was issued in 1940 to No. 206 (G.R.) Squadron of Coastal Command.
It was repainted in 2003 in the markings of the aircraft flown by Pilot Officer P W Peters, 500 (County of Kent) Squadron, which on 1 June 1940 shot down two Me 110 aircraft in an engagement over the English Channel.
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| Two Avro Ansons and a non-operational Handley Page Heyford at a review, 28 July 1940. Imperial War Museum photo HU 104635. |
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| Avro Anson Mark 1, DJ104 'XF-K', and Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark V, N1369 'UO-U', both of No. 19 Operational Training Unit, after a night flying accident at Kinloss, Morayshire, on 19 October 1943, during which the Anson pilot mistook the airfield controller's signal and landed on top of the Whitley as the latter was starting to take off. Neither crew was injured and, although the Whitley was written off, the Anson was repaired and flew again. Imperial War Museum photo HU 54488. |
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| Conservation of a Second World War Avro Anson aircraft in progress at Duxford Airfield, February 2001. Imperial War Museum photo DUX-2001-4-11. |
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| Avro Anson Mk I K6152. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 8765C. |
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| Avro Anson Mk I K6152. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 8765B. |
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| An Avro Anson of No. 502 Squadron being refueled at Aldergrove in Northern Ireland, April 1940. Imperial War Museum photo HU 106265. |
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| Original wartime caption: An Avro Anson, on escort duty with a merchant shipping convoy, flies low over a British warship with which is cooperating. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1920. |
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| Original wartime caption: Avro Ansons on reconnaissance (believed to be No.321 Squadron.) Imperial War Museum photo CH 1333. |
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| Original wartime caption: Avro Ansons on reconnaissance (believed to be No.321 Squadron.) Imperial War Museum photo CH 1332. |
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| Original wartime caption: Avro "Anson" aircraft returning after escorting a convoy. Imperial War Museum photo CH 60. |
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| Original wartime caption: Avro Ansons on reconnaissance (believed to be No.321 Squadron.) Imperial War Museum photo CH 1331. |
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| Original wartime caption: Avro Ansons in flight over the English countryside. (believed to be No.321 Squadron.) Imperial War Museum photo CH 1330. |
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| On board a troop transport, August 1941, with an RAF Avro Anson aircraft acting as air escort.. On board the Empress of Australia, on an African troop convoy. Most of the troopships employed were passenger liners before the war. Though a gun or two may have been mounted the ships still have their facilities for sports, games and recreation, and on the occasions when they are not carrying large contingents of troops the services are glad to make use of them. Imperial War Museum photo A 5150. |
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| On board a troop transport, August 1941, with an RAF Avro Anson aircraft acting as air escort.. On board the Empress of Australia, on an African troop convoy. Most of the troopships employed were passenger liners before the war. Though a gun or two may have been mounted the ships still have their facilities for sports, games and recreation, and on the occasions when they are not carrying large contingents of troops the services are glad to make use of them. Imperial War Museum photo A 5149. |
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| A Dutch air gunner in the turret of an Anson of No 320 Squadron at Carew Cheriton, near Pembroke Dock, in August 1940. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1081. |
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| An Avro Anson Mark I of No. 48 Squadron RAF, flying over and signaling to the destroyer HMS Whitehall during experimental tests with depth charge throwers. Imperial War Museum photo A 4678. |
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| An Avro Anson Mark I of No. 48 Squadron RAF in flight, escorting an Atlantic Convoy. Imperial War Museum photo C 3043. |
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| Aircraft of the Empire Central Flying School lined up for display at Hullavington, Wiltshire. In the front row, right to left: De Havilland Mosquito, Hawker Typhoon, Supermarine Spitfire, Percival Proctor, Grumman Avenger, Hawker Hurricane and three Miles Masters. In the back row, right to left: Avro Anson, Airspeed Oxford, De Havilland Tiger Moth, Avro Lancaster, Miles Magister, Vickers Wellington, Douglas Boston, North American Mitchell, Miles Master and Short Stirling. In the foreground is a GAL Hotspur glider. Imperial War Museum photo CH 11722. |
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| An Avro Anson of No. 48 Squadron RAF patrols off the French coast as smoke and flame billow from oil tanks in the harbor of St Malo, set ablaze by demolition parties prior to the evacuation of Allied troops during Operation AERIAL. Imperial War Museum photo C 1802. |
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| An Avro Anson Mark I, probably of No. 4 Aircraft Delivery Unit (Middle East), used to transport ferry pilots back to their base after delivering aircraft to front line units, parked at Capodichino near Naples. Imperial War Museum photo CAN 4668. |
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| Work begins on digging out aircraft on the airfield at Reykjavik, Iceland, following the severe blizzard of 21-27 February 1945. On the left is a Lockheed Hudson Mark III of No. 241 Squadron RAF, and on the right an Avro Anson communications aircraft runs up its engines. Imperial War Museum photo CS 356. |
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| An Avro Anson Mark I, air-sea rescue aircraft of No 276 Squadron RAF, based at Harrowbeer, Devon, dropping a dinghy container over the English Channel. Imperial War Museum photo CH 9025. |
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| Ground crew packing a dinghy and its supplies for installation in an Avro Anson Mark I, air-sea rescue aircraft, of No. 276 Squadron RAF at Harrowbeer, Devon. Imperial War Museum photo CH 9021. |
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| A fitter checks one of the DH Gipsy Twelve engines on De Havilland DH.91Albatross, G-AFDK “Fortuna” of BOAC, at Whitchurch, Hampshire. Parked on the apron beyond “Fortuna” is another BOAC aircraft, Avro Anson, G-AGGK. Imperial War Museum photo CH 14320. |
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| The interior of Avro Anson C Mark XI, PH693, of No. 167 Squadron RAF at Hendon, Middlesex, looking forward from the passenger compartment to the cockpit. The aircraft's four-letter Transport Command call sign 'OAGF' can be seen painted on the instrument panel to the right. Imperial War Museum photo CH 16482. |
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| Oblique aerial view of Squires Gate airport, Blackpool, Lancashire, from the south-east. In the foreground, and on both sides of the perimeter track running by Leach Lane (right), can be seen Boulton-Paul Defiants of No. 256 Squadron RAF and a detachment of No. 96 Squadron RAF. Also visible in the left foreground and on other parts of the airfield are Avro Ansons and Boulton Paul Bothas of No. 3 School of General Reconnaissance. Imperial War Museum photo HU 93060. |
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| Oblique aerial view of RAF Hinton-in-the-Hedges, Northamptonshire, from the west. Aircraft of No. 13 Operational Training Unit, detached their base at Bicester, Oxfordshire, can be seen on the airfield. A line of Bristol Blenheim Mark IVs of 'A' Flight is parked along one of the runways and Avro Anson navigational trainers of 'D' Flight occupy some of the finger dispersals by the technical site in the foreground. Note the 'wood and hedge' camouflage pattern painted on the south-western half of the airfield. Imperial War Museum photo HU 93055. |
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| Pilots of No. 320 (Dutch), or 321 (Dutch) Squadron RAF walk to their Avro Anson Mark Is at Carew Cheriton, Pembrokeshire. Both Squadrons were formed on 1 June 1940 from members of the Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service who had escaped to the United Kingdom after the invasion of Holland. 320 Squadron, based at Leuchars, Fife, became linked with 321 Squadron, who were already flying Ansons at Carew Cheriton, and who provided 320 Squadron with aircrews. One Anson in the background still bears the unit code letters ('OY') of No. 48 Squadron RAF, with whom it formerly served. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1076. |
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| Khaki cloth 1932 pattern life preserver, the front of which has been hand-painted yellow. Imperial War Museum photo EQU 397. |
The 1932 pattern life jacket was made of khaki fabric. Frequently it was painted yellow by individuals so as to improve its visibility and recognition if the pilot were to bale out of his aircraft into the sea. This practice led to the modified version, the 1941 pattern 'Mae West', being manufactured in yellow fabric as a universal item.
Worn by Lewis George Smith (812071) during the Second World War, and likely worn during the action on 1 June 1940 for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM).
Flight Lieutenant Lewis George Smith DFC DFM, born 12 February 1919 in Canterbury, Kent, began his career as an Avro Anson Air Gunner with No. 500 (County of Kent) Squadron.
On 1 June 1940 at 10:40 AM, Smith's Anson (MK-V N9732), piloted by Pilot Officer Philip Peters, was patrolling off the coast of Dunkirk during the evacuations with two other Ansons when they were attacked by nine Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters.
After dropping low and taking evasive action, Peters manoeuvred his aircraft to allow Smith, the main gunner, along with Navigator Sergeant Deryk Spencer and Wireless Operator LAC Pepper, to fire on the enemy fighters.
Smith managed to shoot down one Bf 109 and severely damage another, with Spencer also claiming a downed 109.
Both men were subsequently awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM), the citation of which reads:
'In June, 1940, these airmen were respectively navigator and air gunner of an aircraft which, in company with two others, were attacked by nine Messerschmitt 109's. Although the pilot was taking violent avoiding action, these airmen, showing skill and coolness, each destroyed a Messerschmitt 109 and severely damaged another.'
Following his career as an Air Gunner, Smith retrained to fly Spitfires in 1941 and was commissioned as an officer in 1942.
As a high-level photo reconnaissance pilot with 140 Squadron, he flew 58 sorties and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 29 October 1943, the citation of which reads:
'After a tour of Operation as an Air Gunner in Ansons, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, this Officer gained a commission as a pilot. He has completed 58 high level photographic sorties, showing outstandingly good results, which played a major part in the mapping of the BREST PENINSULAR for G.H.Q., Home Forces. He has been deputy Flight Commander for the last six months, and proved himself an able leader, and has encouraged everyone by his example and cheerfulness.'
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| Dutch Naval aircrew of No. 321 (Dutch) Squadron RAF gather in front of their Avro Anson Mark Is at Carew Cheriton, Pembrokeshire. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1338. |
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| Ground crew servicing Lockheed Hudson Mark I, N7303 'UA-B', of No.269 Squadron RAF at Wick, Caithness. The aircraft has been secured in a flying position in order to test its forward firing machine-guns at the shooting-in butts. An Avro Anson Mark I, K6244, also of the Squadron, can be seen to the left. CH 59. |
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| The wheel chocks are removed from Avro Anson Mark I, K6175, of No. 320 (Dutch) Squadron RAF before taking off on a patrol from Carew Cheriton, Pembrokeshire. The unit code letters ('OY') of No. 48 Squadron RAF, to whom the aircraft formerly belonged, can be made out faintly on the fuselage side. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1079. |
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| Avro Anson Mark I, N9742, of No. 321 (Dutch) Squadron RAF being refueled by Dutch personnel at Carew Cheriton, Pembrokeshire. Imperial War Museum photo CH 1337. |
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| Low aerial oblique showing GAL Hotspur training gliders lined up in front of their towing aircraft (left), a Hawker Audax and an Avro Anson, at No. 2 Glider Training Unit, Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire. In the foreground an RAF Film Unit team prepare to shoot the scene. Imperial War Museum photo CH 6024. |
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| Oblique aerial view of Prestwick airfield from the west, showing the northern section of the airfield, including the Scottish Aviation Ltd complex, and the threshold of the 6,600 ft x 300 ft concrete main runway (14/32) under construction (extreme right). Immediately to the left of the runway can be seen the remains of the Scottish Flying Training School buildings, the central portion of which, consisting of the administration offices and Watch Office, was burned down on 3 February 1941. At the left of the complex is the Palace of Engineering from the 1938 Empire Exhibition in Glasgow, moved to Prestwick by September 1940 as an aircraft maintenance facility and known as 'No. 3 Factory'. Numerous aircraft are parked on the airfield, including, in the foreground, Avro Ansons of No. 1 Air Observer and Navigation School, and, behind the SAL complex, Consolidated Liberators of the Return Ferry Service. Part of the village of Monkton can be seen on the extreme left. Imperial War Museum photo HU 60596A. |
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| Aircraft of the Empire Air Armament School, lined up across a dispersal track at Manby, Lincolnshire. Front row (left to right); Miles Master Mark III, Miles Martinet TT Mark I, De Havilland DH.94 Moth Minor, Percival Proctor Mark II, Miles Magister, Hawker Hurricane Mark IV and Supermarine Spitfire F Mark XII: back row (left to right); Avro Anson Mark I, Avro Lancaster B Mark III and Vickers Wellington Mark X. More Wellingtons can be seen parked in the 'frying pan' dispersals, and also in the distance by the 'C' Type hangars. Imperial War Museum photo CH 14880. |
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| Personnel and aircraft of No. 276 Squadron RAF assembled at Harrowbeer, Devon, to show the resources needed to mount a single air-sea rescue sortie. The aircraft are, in front, an Avro Anson, a Supermarine Spitfire and, at the rear, a Supermarine Walrus. The Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader R F Hamlyn, formerly a fighter pilot with 13 confirmed aerial victories, stands in the foreground. Imperial War Museum photo CH 9017. |
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| Avro (652A) Anson K4771. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 8589B. |
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| Avro (652A) Anson K4771. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 8589C. |
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| Avro (652A) Anson K4771. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 8589D. |
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| Avro (652A) Anson K4771 at Martlesham Heath. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 8159B. |
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| Avro (652A) Anson K4771 at Martlesham Heath. Imperial War Museum photo ATP 8159C. |
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| Avro Anson ZK-RRA as RAF VX-B K6183 at Classic Fighters 2015, 4 April 2015. Oren Rozen photo. |
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| Avro Anson Mk.I. |
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| Airmen fitting the fuselage of an Avro Anson Mark I to its wings at No. 1 (India) Maintenance Unit, Drigh Road, India. Imperial War Museum photo CI 338. |
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| An East Coast convoy, 1940, with an Anson aircraft of Coastal Command in the foreground. |
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| Avro Anson. (International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive) |
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A view of Avro Anson K8758 as seen from Anson K6260. K6260 was equipped with the experimental AI radar, while K8758 was used as a target aircraft. This image was taken while AI research was still being carried out, but before the Fairy Battles replaced the Ansons in that role. This places the photograph some time in 1937.
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