The Anson first flew in 1935 and went on to serve in a wide variety of roles during the Second World War. Over 11 000 were built and the Anson was still flying for the Royal Air Force in 1968.
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Aircraft and Vehicles in the Collection Aircraft of the BCATP |
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The Anson first flew in 1935 and went on to serve in a wide variety of roles during the Second World War. Over 11 000 were built and the Anson was still flying for the Royal Air Force in 1968. |
Although used primarily as a trainer when first delivered to the RAF, it served operationally in the early years of the war as a light bomber and coastal patrol aircraft. During the evacuation of Dunkirk, Ansons were used aggressively to protect the beleaguered British troops. During this operation one Anson was attacked by ten Messerschmitts but managed to shoot down two and damage a third before the action was broken off. However, the Anson was severely limited in range, fire-power, and bomb load and was soon limited to training, transport, and other non-comat roles.
The Avro Anson MK I was to be the standard twin-engined trainer for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. By May, 1940 British production could not keep up with the demand for aircraft in Canada and Federal Aircraft Ltd. was established in Montreal to produce the Mk II version. In August, 1941 the first Canadian built Anson flew. It featured the considerable use of plywood to save stocks of steel and aluminum for other purposes. A total of 2,882 Mk II Ansons were built during the war by Canadian Federal Aircraft Ltd. The aircraft played a vital role in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Anson II's were used primarily to train pilots to fly multi-engined aircraft such as the Lancaster. However wireless operators, navigators, and bomb-aimers used the Anson as well. As a training aircraft the Anson was docile, forgiving, and easy to fly. As will, it developed such a reputation for reliability it was dubbed "Faithful Annie", inspiring this poem which lauds the Anson's superiority over the Cessna Crane:
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Inside she may be neat, But to me the draughty Anson Is very hard to beat. Her plywood may be warping, Her window glass may crack, But when you start out in an Anson. You know that you'll come back. |
Anson II's were a familiar sight in the skies of southern Alberta during the war. All were declared surplus at war's end and many were immediately destroyed. Some were sold to farmers who used their electrical, mechanical, and other parts for various purposes on the farm. They became fantastic play areas for children and occasionally were kept as cherished relics.
Over the years these aircraft have deteriorated badly and most have been destroyed. The Nanton Lancaster Society, recognizing their historical value, has acquired some two dozen Ansons in various states. None even approaches being a complete aircraft, but each has parts and components which are being useful in the current restoration of a single aircraft for display in the museum. Restoration of an Anson is well underway. As well, it may be possible to provide aircraft for other museums.
Oh, the Crane may fly much faster, Inside she may be neat, But to me the draughty Anson Is very hard to beat. Her plywood may be warping, Her window glass may crack, But when you start out in an Anson You know that you'll come back. She may be a flying greenhouse, With her windows all around, But in that draughty Anson You're as safe as on the ground. She may creak and she may shudder, As she comes out of a dive, But if her pilot knows his stuff She'll bring him back alive. Her landing gear is sturdy, It will stand for quite a drop, If you doubt it, watch your students Bring her in, and let her flop. Fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, She doesn't care a jot, All in all, our Anson Will stand for quite a lot. |
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The wind may make her weather-cock- That's nothing to these craft, For when you fly an Anson You never mind a draft. You can keep your Moth and Battle, Your Harvard and your Crane, Give me the good old Anson In which our pilots train. When she comes in with a panel, All split from front to rear, And the rigger starts to fix it- They don't need a lot of gear. A chisel and some plywood, Some brads and a pot of glue, Quite a bit of elbow grease And very soon they're through. They wheel her back out to the line, Her Cheetahs start to cough- Our Anson knows they're lads to train And she's eager to be off. ODE TO AN ANSON |