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Avro Anson

Avro · Trainer / Maritime Patrol / Trainer / Light Patrol · UK · Interwar (1919–1938)

Avro Anson — Trainer / Maritime Patrol / Trainer / Light Patrol
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The Avro Anson was a British twin-engine multi-role aircraft — a versatile aircraft used as maritime patrol bomber, navigator trainer, communications aircraft, and light transport. Roy Chadwick + others designed the Anson in 1934-1935 as a navalised derivative of the Avro 652 airliner; the prototype first flew on 24 March 1935. About 11,029 Ansons were built between 1936 and 1952 at Avro Manchester + Canada + Australia + Greece. The aircraft served RAF + Royal Australian Air Force + Royal Canadian Air Force + ~25 international operators 1936-1968.

The Anson I used 2 × Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX 7-cylinder radial engines (350 hp each). Maximum speed 303 km/h, range 1,270 km, service ceiling 5,800 m. Armament (military variants): up to 360 lb of bombs + 2 × .303 machine guns. Crew: 3-4 (pilot + navigator + radio operator + gunner). The aircraft pioneered all-metal stressed-skin construction for British military aircraft + introduced retractable landing gear (hand-cranked in early variants — pilots called the Anson "Faithful Annie" for its reliable but slow systems).

Anson service was global. RAF Coastal Command operated ~500 Ansons in early-WWII maritime patrol role 1939-1941 before replacement by Hudson + Whitley aircraft. The aircraft's principal WWII contribution was navigator training under BCATP — Canadian + Australian + South African flight schools used Avro Ansons extensively to train RAF + Commonwealth navigators. Postwar Ansons served light transport + communications roles through 1968 in RAF service + much longer in international operators. About 30 Anson airframes survive in 2026 worldwide.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Avro Anson was a British twin-engine plane that did many jobs. It was used as a patrol bomber, navigator trainer, transport, and communications plane. About 11,029 Ansons were built between 1936 and 1952, making it one of the most produced British planes ever.

Roy Chadwick designed the Anson in 1934 and 1935. It was based on the Avro 652 airliner. The Anson first flew in March 1935. The plane has two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah radial engines with 350 horsepower each.

The Anson carried 3 to 4 crew. Its top speed was 188 mph and it could fly about 790 miles. The plane is about as long as a city bus.

During World War II, Ansons hunted German submarines off the British coast. After the war, thousands more Ansons trained Royal Air Force navigators and radio operators. The plane was built in Britain, Canada, Australia, and even Greece. The last Ansons retired in 1968 after 32 years of service.

Fun Facts

  • About 11,029 Ansons were built between 1936 and 1952.
  • The Anson was used as a patrol bomber, trainer, transport, and communications plane.
  • Ansons hunted German submarines off the British coast during World War II.
  • The plane was built in Britain, Canada, Australia, and Greece.
  • Its top speed was 188 mph.
  • The last Ansons retired in 1968 after 32 years of service.

Kids’ Questions

Why was the Anson so popular as a trainer?

The Anson was easy to fly, had two engines for safety, and could carry several students at once. New navigators could practice plotting courses on long flights. Radio operators could practice using their radios. The plane was strong, reliable, and cheap to run, so air forces around the world picked it as their main twin-engine trainer.

How did the Anson hunt submarines?

The Anson flew slowly along the coast looking for German submarines on the surface. If the crew spotted one, they would radio for help, drop their small bombs, and try to get the submarine to dive. Once the submarine dove, it could not see ships nearby — so it could not attack convoys. Even old planes like the Anson helped keep British shipping safe.

Variants

Anson I (basic)
Initial production. About 6,700 built.
Anson V / X / XI (improved)
Refined variants. About 4,300 built.

Notable Operators

RAF Coastal Command + BCATP trainer (1936-1968)
Principal user. Maritime patrol + navigator training + light transport.
RAAF + RCAF + 25 international operators
Combined ~4,000 airframes worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Anson used for in WWII?

Primarily navigator training. RAF Coastal Command operated ~500 Ansons in maritime patrol role 1939-1941 but they were quickly replaced by more-capable Hudson + Whitley aircraft after the type proved inadequate for anti-submarine warfare. The aircraft's principal WWII contribution was navigator training under BCATP — ~5,000 Ansons trained tens of thousands of Commonwealth navigators at Canadian, Australian, and South African flight schools 1939-1945.

Sources

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