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Avro Anson - Type 652A

A pair of Canadian-made Avro Anson advanced training aircraft operated by No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Royal Canadian Air Force Station Dauphin, near Dauphin, Manitoba, 1943-44. CASM, 27297.

 The Avro Anson is a British designed twin-engine, multi-role aircraft built by 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 and numerous other air forces before, during, and after the Second World War.

The Type 652A was promptly named after British Admiral George Anson.

From Airliner to Icon: The Birth of the Avro Anson

Long before the Avro Anson became one of the most important training aircraft of the Second World War, its story began in civilian aviation.

1935 – The Airliner Takes Flight

In early 1935, Avro introduced the Avro 652, a sleek, twin-engine airliner built for Imperial Airways.
The first prototype flew on 7 January 1935, and by April 1935 the aircraft entered commercial service on European routes. Its dependable performance and modern monoplane design quickly caught the attention of military planners.

1935 – The Call for a Military Variant

That same year, the British Air Ministry recognized the need for a fast, modern aircraft capable of coastal patrol and reconnaissance. The dependable Avro 652 provided the perfect foundation.

 

In May 1935,

the Air Ministry issued a specification calling for a maritime reconnaissance aircraft based on the Avro 652’s design.

Avro responded by adapting the airliner with new military features, including a dorsal turret, bomb racks, strengthened structure, and specialized navigation equipment.

1935 – The Avro Anson Arrives

The first prototype of the military variant, now designated the Avro Anson, K4771 made its maiden flight on 24 March 1935.

Avro Anson No. 48 Squadron C 3043

Avro Anson – Early Service Overview

First Anson Taken on Strength

The very first Avro Anson Mk I was taken on strength by the RAF on: — 6 March 1936

First Deployment: The Anson entered front-line RAF service with: No. 48 Squadron (RAF), based at RAF Manston, Kent.  Deployment began in March 1936, shortly after the aircraft was accepted

Anson pictured in typical camouflage scheme

Original Intended Role:

When first introduced, the Anson was not a training aircraft.
Its initial role was:

Coastal reconnaissance and general-purpose maritime patrol

Specifically:

  • Anti-submarine patrols
  • Coastal observation
  • Convoy escort
  • Light transport
  • General coastal command duties

It was the RAF’s first monoplane with retractable landing gear, replacing outdated biplane designs in maritime service.

Squadrons flying the Avro Anson

  • By the outbreak of WWII, at least 26 RAF squadrons were operating the Anson Mk I: 10 with Coastal Command and 16 with Bomber Command.
  • No. 51 Squadron RAF — flew the Anson Mk I in its bomber/training role. 
  • No. 217 Squadron RAF — equipped with the Anson Mk I from March 1937 in a reconnaissance/patrol role. 
  • No. 280 Squadron RAF — during WWII used the Anson Mk I as part of its air-sea rescue duties.
  •  
  • No. 282 Squadron RAF — also used the Anson Mk I in the early 1940s for air-sea rescue. 
  • No. 612 Squadron RAF (Royal Auxiliary Air Force) — flown the Anson Mk I in the reconnaissance role around 1939–1941. 
  • By the End of the war, the Avro Anson was used by the Royal Air Force (RAF), Fleet Air Arm (FAA), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), South African Air Force (SAAF), Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)

Training under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)

The Avro Anson became one of the most important multi-engine trainers in the entire war.

Training roles included:

  • Navigation training
  • Wireless operator training
  • Bomb-aiming and gunnery training
  • Multi-engine pilot training

Canada built over 2,800 Anson Mk IIs at the National Steel Car plant in Malton, Ontario.
These aircraft were essential for RCAF AOS, BGS, and flight training schools across Canada.

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