Avro Anson
| Anson | |
|---|---|
 Avro Anson ZK-RRA in flight, Classic Fighters Airshow (2015) | |
| General information | |
| Type | Multirole aircraft, primarily a trainer |
National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Avro (UK) / Federal Aircraft Limited (Canada) |
| Primary users | Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 11,020 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1930s–1952 |
Introduction date | 1936 |
| First flight | 24 March 1935 |
| Retired | 28 June 1968 (RAF) |
Developed from | Avro 652 |
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft built by the aircraft manufacturer Avro. Large numbers served in a variety of roles with 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.
Originally designated the Avro 652A, the Anson was developed during the mid-1930s from the earlier Avro 652 airliner in response to an Air Ministry request for tender for a coastal maritime reconnaissance aircraft. After impressing the Air Ministry during evaluation, a single prototype was ordered and made its maiden flight on 24 March 1935. Following trials in which the Type 652A outperformed the competing de Havilland DH.89, it was selected for production. This led to Air Ministry Specification G.18/35 being written around the design, and an initial order for 174 aircraft was placed in July 1935. The Type 652A was subsequently named Anson after the British Admiral George Anson.
The Anson entered service with the RAF in its intended maritime reconnaissance role, operating alongside larger flying boats. After the outbreak of the Second World War, however, it quickly became obsolete as a front-line combat aircraft. It was instead widely employed as a multi-engine aircrew trainer, proving well suited to the role and becoming one of the main training aircraft of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The type remained in this role throughout and after the war, serving with the RAF as a trainer and communications aircraft until 28 June 1968.
After the war, a small number of new-build aircraft, known as the Avro 19, were produced for the civilian market. Many more surplus military aircraft were converted for civil use as light transports and executive aircraft. By the end of production in 1952, Avro had built 8,138 Ansons in nine variants, while a further 2,882 aircraft were manufactured in Canada by Federal Aircraft Ltd from 1941. By the 21st century, almost all Ansons had been retired, although three aircraft continue to appear at flying displays.