Aircaft Background - Anson
The Avro Anson was a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft developed from the civilian Avro 652 airliner. It first flew on Mar 24ᵗʰ, 1935, and entered RAF service in 1936 as the service’s first aircraft with retractable landing gear. Powered by two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah radial engines, it initially served in coastal reconnaissance, maritime patrol and convoy escort roles.
As more capable aircraft became available, the Anson was reassigned mainly to training, transport and communications duties. Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, it became essential for training pilots, navigators, bomb aimers, wireless operators and air gunners. Its dependable service earned it the affectionate nickname “Faithful Annie”.
A total of 11,020 Ansons were built in the United Kingdom and Canada. Numerous military and civilian variants were developed for training, reconnaissance, transport and communications duties. The type remained in RAF service until 1968, making it one of Britain’s longest-serving military aircraft.