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{{Short description|1935 multi-role military aircraft family by Avro}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= Anson
 |image= File:CF15 Avro Anson ZK-RRA 040415 01.jpg
 |caption= Avro Anson ''ZK-RRA'' in flight, Classic Fighters Airshow (2015)
 |type= Multirole aircraft, primarily a [[trainer aircraft|trainer]]
 |national_origin= United Kingdom
 |manufacturer= [[Avro]] (UK) / [[Victory Aircraft|Federal Aircraft Limited]] (Canada)
 |first_flight= 24 March 1935
 |introduction= 1936
 |retired= 28 June 1968 (RAF)
 |status= 
 |primary_user= [[Royal Air Force]]
 |more_users= [[Fleet Air Arm]] <br> [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] <br> [[Royal Australian Air Force]]
 |produced= 1930s–1952
 |number_built= 11,020
 |unit cost=
 |developed_from= [[Avro 652]]
 |variants=
}}

The '''Avro Anson''' is<!-- AIRWORTHY AIRCRAFT STILL EXIST --> a British twin-engine, multi-role [[aircraft]] built by the aircraft manufacturer [[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 [[World War II|Second World War]].

Initially known as the ''Avro 652A'', the Anson was developed during the mid-1930s from the earlier [[Avro 652]] airliner in response to a [[request for tender]]s issued by the British [[Air Ministry]] for a coastal [[maritime patrol aircraft|maritime reconnaissance aircraft]]. Having suitably impressed the Ministry, a single prototype was ordered, which conducted its [[maiden flight]] on 24 March 1935. Following an evaluation in which the Type 652A bettered the competing [[de Havilland DH.89]], it was selected as the winner, leading to [[List of Air Ministry Specifications#1930–1939|Air Ministry Specification 18/35]] being written around the type and an initial order for 174 aircraft being ordered in July 1935. The Type 652A was promptly named after British [[Admiral]] [[George Anson, 1st Baron Anson|George Anson]].

The type was placed into service with the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) and was initially used in the envisaged maritime reconnaissance operation alongside the larger [[flying boat]]s. After the outbreak of the Second World War, the Anson was soon found to have become obsolete in front-line combat roles. Large numbers of the type were instead put to use as a multi-engine aircrew [[trainer (aircraft)|trainer]], having been found to be suitable for the role, and became the mainstay of the [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]]. The type continued to be used in this role throughout and after the conflict, remaining in RAF service as a trainer and communications aircraft until 28 June 1968.

Post-war, a small number of Ansons (known as Avro 19s) were built new for the civilian market, along with a much larger number of civil conversions from surplus military stocks, being used as light transport and executive aircraft. By the end of production in 1952, a total of 8,138 Ansons had been constructed by Avro in nine variants. A further 2,882 aircraft were manufactured by [[Victory Aircraft|Federal Aircraft Ltd]] in [[Canada]] from 1941. By the 21st century, the vast majority of Ansons had been retired, but three aircraft still appear at flying displays.

==Development==
In 1933, the British [[Air Ministry]] proposed that the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) acquire a relatively cheap landplane for coastal maritime reconnaissance duties; the proposed aircraft would perform as a supplement to the more capable, but expensive, [[flying boat]]s which the RAF had adopted for conducting maritime reconnaissance missions. The Air Ministry looked for designs from British manufacturers. [[Avro]] responded to the request with the ''Avro 652A'', which was a modified version of their earlier [[Avro 652]], a twin-engined, six-seat [[monoplane]] airliner. de Havilland offered a design based on their D.H.89A Dragon Rapide biplane. After evaluating the various submissions received, the Air Ministry decided to order from Avro and [[de Havilland]] respectively, single examples of the Type 652A and the [[de Havilland DH.89]] for evaluation purposes late in 1934; an evaluation and the subsequent selection of a design for production to take place by May 1935.<ref name="AE42 p38-9">Sturtivant ''Air Enthusiast'' Forty-two, pp. 38–39.</ref><ref name="jackav p321-2">Jackson 1990, pp. 321–322.</ref>

On 24 March 1935, the Avro 652A conducted its [[maiden flight]] at [[Woodford Aerodrome]], [[Greater Manchester]]. Between 11 and 17 May 1935, the prototype participated in a formal evaluation against the competing DH.89M by the RAF's Coastal Defence Development Unit at [[HMS Sultan (shore establishment)|RAF Gosport]], [[Hampshire]]. During these trials, the Avro aircraft proved to be superior and was accordingly selected as the winner of the competition on 25 May 1935.<ref name="jackav p322-3">Jackson 1990, pp. 322–323.</ref> In response to its selection, [[List of Air Ministry Specifications#1930–1939|Air Ministry Specification]] G.18/35 was written around the Type 652A; in July 1935, an initial order for 174 aircraft, which had been given the service name "Anson", was received.<ref name="am480 p187">Middleton ''Aeroplane Monthly'' April 1980, p. 187.</ref>

On 31 December 1935, the first production Anson performed its maiden flight; changes from the prototype included an enlarged horizontal [[tailplane]] and reduced [[Elevator (aeronautics)|elevator]] span in order to improve stability. Additionally, while the prototype had not been fitted with [[Flap (aeronautics)|flap]]s, production aircraft could accommodate their installation from the onset to increase the viable glide angle and reduce landing speed.<ref name="flight36 pd"/> On 6 March 1936, deliveries to the RAF commenced.<ref name="am480 p187-8">Middleton ''Aeroplane Monthly'' April 1980, pp. 187–188.</ref> By the end of production in 1952, a total of 11,020 Ansons had been completed, which made it the second most numerous (after approximately 11,500 [[Vickers Wellington]] medium bomber) British multi-engined aircraft of the [[Second World War]].<ref name="Gunston"/>

==Design==
[[File:Avro Anson - Royal Air Force Transport Command, 1943-1945. CH16482.jpg|thumb|The interior of an Anson C Mark XI, looking forward from the passenger compartment towards the cockpit]]
The Avro Anson was a twin-engine, low-wing [[Cantilever#Aircraft|cantilever]] [[monoplane]]. Developed as a general reconnaissance aircraft, it possessed many features that lent itself to the role, including considerable load-carrying ability, and long range.<ref name="flight36 pc"/> The structure of the Anson was relatively straightforward and uncomplicated, relying on proven methods and robust construction to produce an airframe that minimized maintenance requirements.<ref name="flight36 pc"/> Much of the internal structure retained similarities to the earlier [[Avro 652]] airliner from which it had been developed. The Anson Mk I was furnished with a low-mounted one-piece wooden wing, composed of a combination of [[plywood]] and [[spruce]] throughout the [[wingbox]] and [[Rib (aeronautics)|rib]]s. The [[fuselage]] was composed of a [[welding|welded]] steel tubing framework which was principally clad in [[fabric]]; the exterior of the nose was clad in [[Elektron (alloy)|magnesium alloy]].<ref name="flight36 pc"/>

The Anson was powered by a pair of [[Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah]] IX seven-cylinder air-cooled [[radial engine]]s, which were each rated at {{convert|350|hp|kW}}.<ref name="mondey p26">Mondey 1994, p. 26.</ref><ref name="flight36 pd"/> Each engine was provided with its own duplicated fuel pumps and separate fuel and oil tanks; the tanks were composed of welded aluminium and mounted in cradles housed within the wing. The engine cowlings were intentionally designed to have a reduced diameter in order to reduce their negative impact on external visibility, which was considered to be valuable to the type's reconnaissance function.<ref name="flight36 pc"/> These engines drove two-bladed [[Fairey Aviation Company|Fairey]]-built metal [[propeller]]s.<ref name="flight36 pd">''Flight'' 30 January 1936, p. d.</ref>

The Anson was the first aircraft equipped with retractable [[landing gear]] to enter service with the RAF.<ref name="flight36 pc">''Flight'' 30 January 1936, p. c.</ref><ref name="jackav p323">Jackson 1990, p. 323.</ref> While the main undercarriage was retracted into recesses set into the bottom of the engine nacelles, the tail wheel was fixed in position. Commonly, the undercarriage was fitted with [[Dunlop Standard Aerospace Group|Dunlop]]-built wheels, [[Tire|tyres]] and [[pneumatic]] brakes and Turner legs.<ref name="flight36 pd"/> The retractable undercarriage was mechanically operated by hand; 144 turns of a crank handle, situated beside the pilot's seat, were needed.<ref name="AE42 p40">Sturtivant ''Air Enthusiast'' Forty-two, p. 40.</ref><ref name="flight36 pcd">''Flight'' 30 January 1936, pp. c–d.</ref> To avoid this laborious process, early aircraft would often perform short flights with the landing gear remaining extended throughout, which would reduce the aircraft's cruising speed by 30&nbsp;mph (50&nbsp;km/h).<ref name="Gunston">Gunston, Bill. ''Classic World War II Aircraft Cutaways''. London: Osprey, 1995. {{ISBN|1-85532-526-8}}.</ref>

[[File:avro.anson.arp.jpg|thumb|left|''G-VROE'', a preserved Anson C.21 operated by the [[Classic Air Force]], 2005]]
Initially, the Anson was flown by a crew of three, which comprised a pilot, a navigator/[[bomb-aimer]] and a radio operator/gunner, when it was used in the maritime reconnaissance role;<ref name="flight36 p117">''Flight'' 30 January 1936, p. 117.</ref> from 1938 onwards, it was typically operated by a four-man crew.<ref name="jackav p326">Jackson 1990, p. 326.</ref> The bomb-aimer would perform his function from a [[prone position]] in the forward section of the nose, which was provisioned with a [[bombsight]], driftsight, and other appropriate instrumentation, including a [[Landing lights|landing light]]. The pilot was located in a cockpit behind the bomb aimer's position and was provided with a variety of contemporary instrumentation, including those to enable flight under [[instrument flight rules]] (IFR) and indirect instrument lighting for night flying purposes.<ref name="flight36 p117 119">''Flight'' 30 January 1936, pp. 117–119.</ref>

Immediately behind the pilot's position is a small folding seat fixed to the starboard side of the fuselage for an additional crew member or passenger, along with racks that would contain a pair of parachute packs that would be clipped onto the harnesses worn by both the pilot and the navigator. Behind these is the navigator's station, a chair and table provisioned with navigational aids such as [[compass]]es, [[Bigsworth chart board]]s, sea markers, [[slide rule]]s for course, wind and speed, a signalling lamp and float [[flare]]s.<ref name="flight36 p117"/> Aft of the rear spar is the wireless operator's station – a table with contemporary [[wireless]] equipment, including a winch for the trailing aerial, which was attached to the upper fuselage immediately behind the aircraft's cockpit.<ref name="flight36 p117"/>

The armaments of the Anson consisted of a single [[.303 British|.303 in]] (7.7&nbsp;mm) [[Vickers machine gun]] which was fixed within the forward fuselage and aimed by the pilot, while an [[Armstrong Whitworth]]-built manually operated [[Gun turret#Aircraft|gun turret]] located on the Anson's dorsal section was fitted with a single [[Lewis gun]].<ref name="flight36 p117"/> Additionally, up to {{convert|360|lb|kg}} of bombs, which could consist of a maximum of two {{convert|100|lb|kg}} and eight {{convert|20|lb|kg|0}} bombs, could be carried in the aircraft's wings.<ref name="AE42 p39">Sturtivant ''Air Enthusiast'' Forty-two, p. 39.</ref> Those Ansons that were used in the training role were outfitted with dual controls and usually had the gun turret removed, although specific aircraft used for gunnery training were fitted with a [[Bristol Aeroplane Company|Bristol]] hydraulically operated gun turret, similar to that used in the [[Bristol Blenheim]].<ref name="AE42 p43-4">Sturtivant ''Air Enthusiast'' Forty-two, pp. 43–44.</ref><ref name="am480 p191">Middleton ''Aeroplane Monthly'' April 1980, p. 191.</ref> The tail fairing of the starboard nacelle contains an inflatable [[dinghy]] which is provided with automatic actuators and marine distress beacons.<ref name="flight36 p117"/>

==Operational history==
[[File:Avro Anson K8758.jpg|thumb|RAF Ansons conducting trials with airborne radar in 1937.]]
On 6 March 1936, the Anson entered RAF service, [[No. 48 Squadron RAF|No. 48 Squadron]] was the first RAF unit to be equipped with the type. Upon the type's introduction, it represented a new level of capability for the service, serving not only in a general reconnaissance capacity but also being an effective general-purpose aircraft<ref name="flight36 pc"/> In July 1937, a Coastal Command Anson was fitted with an experimental [[airborne early warning and control|airborne early warning radar]] which was able to detect large warships {{convert|5|mi}} away in poor visibility and was successfully used in fleet exercises off the east coast of England in September.<ref name="Owen_2007">{{cite book |last=Owen |first=David |date=2007 |title=Anti-Submarine Warfare: An Illustrated History |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W2GCAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT157 |location=Barnsley, S. Yorks |publisher=Seaforth Publishing |chapter=Chapter 8: The Third Dimension, 1939-42 |isbn=978-1844157037 }}</ref>

By the outbreak of the [[Second World War]], the RAF had received a total of 824 Ansons while there were 26 RAF squadrons that were then operating the Anson I: 10 of these were assigned to Coastal Command and the other 16 were with [[RAF Bomber Command|Bomber Command]].<ref name="50th p262-3">March 1985, pp. 262–263.</ref> By 1939, all of the squadrons assigned to Bomber Command that had been equipped with the Anson I served as operational training squadrons which were used to prepare crews for frontline service. 12 of the squadrons were in [[No. 6 Flying Training School RAF|No. 6 (Operational Training) Group]]. Newly formed crews, having previously completed individual flying and technical training courses, were first trained as bomber crews in Ansons before advancing to the various frontline aircraft types, which were in the same squadrons with the Ansons. After training the crews would advance to the frontline bomber squadrons with aircraft such as the [[Fairey Battle]], [[Bristol Blenheim]], [[Vickers Wellington]], [[Armstrong Whitworth Whitley]] or [[Handley-Page Hampden]].

[[File:Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. CH1079.jpg|thumb|left|An Anson of [[No. 320 (Netherlands) Squadron RAF|No. 320 (Netherlands) Squadron]], Coastal Command, about to take off on a patrol mission, circa 1940–1941]]
Even before the start of the war, it had been realized that the Anson's limited capabilities would make it ineffective in its intended main role as a maritime patrol aircraft. In 1938, it had been decided to replace the Anson in this role with the American-built [[Lockheed Hudson]], which was 100&nbsp;mph faster, had three times the range, carried a much heavier bomb load and had a superior defensive armament. The first squadron to be reequipped with the type was already training with them in September 1939. Meanwhile, the remaining Coastal Command Anson squadrons had to go to war with what they had. The Anson had an endurance of only four hours so it could only be employed in the [[North Sea]] and other coastal areas; however, it lacked the range to reach the coast of Norway. Its weapons against German [[U-boat]]s were two small 100&nbsp;lb bombs, which required a direct hit on the hull of a submarine to be effective, at least in theory. On 3 December 1939, an Anson mistakenly attacked a surfaced Royal Navy submarine, {{HMS|Snapper|39S|6}}, and although the aircraft succeeded in hitting the [[conning tower]], the only damage was four broken light bulbs. In an earlier [[friendly fire]] incident off the coast of Scotland in September, the bombs of an Anson of [[No. 233 Squadron RAF|No. 233 Squadron]] had bounced off the surface of the water and exploded in an [[air burst]], which holed the aircraft's fuel tanks causing it to ditch off [[St Andrews]].<ref name="Owen_2007"/> Despite numerous claims of attacks on U-boats by Ansons in the first months of the war, postwar examination of German records showed that little damage had been inflicted.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} 
[[File:Avro Ansons 1940 SLNSW FL19137630.jpg|thumb|Avro Anson aircraft, Sydney, Australia, 19 March 1940]]
Despite their obsolescence, Ansons were employed during the [[Dunkirk evacuation]] to deter attacks on Allied shipping by German [[E-boat]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/avro-ansons-vs-messerschmitt-109s-dunkirk-1940/ |title=Avro Ansons vs Messerschmitt 109s, Dunkirk 1940. |last=Burnet |first=Ewan |date=7 August 2018 |website=www.rafmuseum.org.uk |publisher= Royal Air Force Museum |access-date=3 October 2020}}</ref> On 1 June 1940, a flight of three Ansons was attacked near Dunkirk by nine [[Luftwaffe]] [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]]s. According to the unsubstantiated claims, one Anson destroyed two German aircraft and damaged a third, while no Ansons were lost.<ref>Franks 1983, pp. 125, 181.</ref>

The aircraft achieved more success training pilots for flying multi-engined [[bomber]]s, such as the [[Avro Lancaster]]. Ansons were first deployed to Flying Training Schools in November 1936, replacing the obsolete bombers then used for twin-engine training.<ref>{{cite book |last=Philpott |first=Ian M |date=2006 |title=The Royal Air Force: Re-Armament 1930 to 1939 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XDHAAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA41 |location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire |publisher=Pen & Sword Books Ltd |page=41 |isbn=978-1844153916 }}</ref> The Anson was also used to train the other members of a bomber's aircrew, such as navigators, wireless operators, [[Bombardier (air force)|bomb aimers]] and air gunners. Postwar, the Anson continued in the training and light transport roles. The last Ansons were withdrawn from RAF service with communications units on 28 June 1968.<ref name="Gunston"/>

During the 1939–45 war years, the British [[Air Transport Auxiliary]] operated the Anson as its standard taxi aircraft, using it to carry groups of ferry pilots to and from aircraft collection points. There was no fatal mechanical failure of an Anson in ATA service, and it was typically very well regarded.<ref>Cheesman 1946, pp. 66–67.</ref>

The [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) initially ordered 33 Ansons in November 1935 to fill the maritime reconnaissance role. The first were delivered in 1936 and 48 were in service before the start of the war. The RAAF eventually operated a total of 1,028 Ansons, the majority of these being Mk Is. These aircraft continued to be operated until 1955.<ref name="Wilson">Wilson 1994, p. 216.</ref>

The [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] (RNZAF) operated 23 Ansons as navigation trainers during the Second World War, (alongside the more numerous [[Airspeed Oxford]]), and acquired more Ansons as communication aircraft immediately after the war. A preserved navigation trainer is in the [[Air Force Museum of New Zealand]] at Wigram.

The [[Royal Indian Air Force]] operated several Ansons as part of the ''No.1 Service Flying Training School (India)'' for Pilot and Navigation training. These Ansons continued this role [[Indian Independence Act 1947|post-independence]] and were retired at an unknown date.<ref name="ind">{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1940s/Trg-1SFTS.html |title=No.1 Service Flying Training School (India) |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803171431/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/History/1940s/Trg-1SFTS.html |archive-date=3 August 2012 }}</ref>

The [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (RCAF) and [[Royal Canadian Navy]] (RCN) operated 4,413 Anson aircraft, 1,962 British built and 2,451 Canadian built aircraft.<ref>Canadian military Aircraft Serials and Photographs 1920–1968, J.A. Griffin, 1969</ref>  The RCN operated the aircraft until 1952. Although the Canadian Ansons were used throughout the training schools of the British Commonwealth Air Training plan for training aircrew, some aircraft were pressed into operational service with the RCAF's Eastern Air Command. A good example of the training schools' involvement in combat operations with the EAC during the emergency of the battle is illustrated in an article dated 1 March 2006 of the Royal Canadian Legion magazine entitled ''Eastern Air Command: Air Force, Part 14''; the author Hugh A. Haliday wrote: "The need for Atlantic patrols was undiminished, yet the Battle of the St. Lawrence stretched EAC resources. Based at Charlottetown, 31 General Reconnaissance School was mobilized to fly patrols using Avro Ansons, each carrying two 250-pound bombs. At the very outset of the war, the Anson and its ordnance had failed in RAF anti-submarine work. Now in Canada, it was remobilized as an aerial scarecrow. German views varied as to Canadian countermeasures. The captain of U-517 found his operations increasingly restricted by strengthened air patrols. In October 1942, U-69 reported "strong sea patrol and constant patrol by aircraft with radar."

The [[United States Army Air Forces]] (USAAF), employed 50 Canadian-built Ansons, which were designated the '''AT-20'''.

The [[Egyptian Air Force]] (EAF) operated a fleet of Ansons in communications and VIP duties. A specially outfitted Anson was presented to the then King of Egypt by the RAF. The [[Afghan Air Force|Royal Afghan Air Force]] obtained 13 Anson 18 aircraft for various duties from 1948. These aircraft survived until 1972.

===Postwar civil use===
[[File:Avro Anson 11 G-ALIH Ecko Electronics Blackbushe 1955.jpg|thumb|Anson 11 ''G-ALIH'' of [[EKCO|Ekco Electronics]] at Blackbushe, Hants, in September 1955]]
After the war, Ansons continued in production with Avro at Woodford. At this time, large amounts of the type were being converted for civilian use, where they were operated as light transports by a range of small charter airlines and as executive aircraft by large [[corporation]]s. Countries that saw civilian operations with Ansons included the United Kingdom, Canada (Mk. V aircraft only), Australia and Mexico.

[[File:Avro 652A XIX.2 G-AHIC Kemps SGT 06.10.66 edited-2.jpg|thumb|An Anson XIX, which had been operated for aerial survey work in the United Kingdom up to 1973]]
[[Railway Air Services]] operated Ansons on scheduled services from London's [[Croydon Airport]] via Manchester to Belfast ([[RAF Nutts Corner|Nutts Corner]]) in 1946 and 1947. Sivewright Airways operated three Mk XIX aircraft from their [[Manchester Airport]] base on local charter flights, flights to Jersey, and [[Ronaldsway Airport]] in the [[Isle of Man]] until 1951. Finglands Airways operated an ex-RAF Anson I on inclusive tour flights and on scheduled flights from Manchester Airport to [[Newquay Airport]] between 1949 and 1952. Kemps Aerial Surveys operated several Anson XIXs on survey work within the UK until their retirement in 1973.<ref>Sturtivant, 1988, p. 294.</ref>

In 1948, [[India]] ordered 12 new Anson 18Cs for use by the [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)|Directorate of Civil Aviation]] as trainers and communications aircraft; these were delivered from Yeadon in the spring of 1949.<ref name="jackav p338-9,44-5">Jackson 1990, pp. 338–339, 344–345.</ref>

Ansons continued to be manufactured by Avro at Woodford for the RAF until March 1952; the type was used as trainers and served in the role of Station communications aircraft until 1968.

The wooden wings of Ansons flying in Australia were found to fail at a high rate. The phenolic glue bonds would part, and it was speculated that the problem was due to the high humidity. In 1962, the Commonwealth Government decided to ground the majority of wooden-winged aircraft then in operation; amongst those aircraft affected, the Anson and [[De Havilland Mosquito]] were included. Of the Ansons, no such aircraft were re-registered as the government had mandated a test that essentially destroyed the wings, thus requiring the fitting of new wings. Most owners decided to voluntarily scrap their aircraft well before this time.

During the late 20th century, the vast majority of Ansons were retired, with three aircraft still appearing at flying displays, two in the UK,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caa.co.uk/aircraft-register/g-info/search-g-info/|title=G-AHKX – Registration History|publisher=CAA G-INFO|access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caa.co.uk/aircraft-register/g-info/search-g-info/|title=G-VROE – Registration History|publisher=CAA G-INFO|access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref> one in New Zealand.<ref name="AerialVisuals.ca">{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier – Avro 652A Anson, s/n MH120 RAAF, c/n MH-120, c/r ZK-RRA |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=119432 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref> A fourth aircraft in Canada was being restored to airworthiness in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson Mk. V C-FHOT / RCAF 12417 |url=http://www.warplane.com/aircraft/collection/details.aspx?aircraftId=2 |website=Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum |access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref>

==Accidents and incidents==
<!--Most military accidents and incidents are non-notable-->
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| direction = vertical
| header    = 
| width     = 260

| image1    = Two Avro Ansons (L9162 and N4876) "piggyback" in a paddock near Brocklesby 2.jpg
| alt1      = Rear three-quarter view of two military monoplanes lying wheels down on a field, one atop the other
| caption1  = The two Ansons involved in the Brocklesby mid-air collision of 1940 lying interlocked in a paddock

| image2    = WhenAnsonLandsOnAnson1940.jpg
| alt2      = Two military monoplanes lying wheels down on a field, one atop the other
| caption2  = Engines and forward sections of the two Ansons
}}

* On 11 September 1937, Anson K8778 of [[No. 233 Squadron RAF]] crashed in poor visibility on the [[Gisborough Moor]] escarpment, above [[Guisborough]] in the [[North Riding of Yorkshire]], while returning from an exercise with the [[Royal Navy]]; all four crew were killed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aircraft accidents on the North Yorkshire Moors.|url=http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/planes/preww2/k8778.html|access-date=2021-02-18|website=www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk}}</ref>
* On 10 August 1938, RAAF Anson A4-29 came out of dense cloud and crashed into [[Arthurs Seat, Victoria]] killing four crew members. There was one survivor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Four killed in Air Tragedy|work=Age |date=11 August 1938 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205138582}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Grips His Seat and Waits for the Crash|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/83201093}}</ref>
* On 28 April 1939, Anson A4-32 of [[No. 6 Squadron RAAF]] crashed near [[Riverstone, New South Wales]] on the return leg of an air navigation course, killing all four crew members.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dunn|first1=Peter|title=Crash of An Avro Anson near Riverstone, 28 April 1939|url=http://ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/nsw164.htm|website=ozatwar.com|access-date=18 August 2016}}</ref>
*On 18 December 1939, Anson N4887 of [[No. 1 Flying Training School RAAF|1 Flying Training School]] crashed on the Richmond Golf Course shortly after take-off from the [[RAAF Base Richmond|Richmond RAAF Base]], killing all five crew members.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dunn|first1=Peter|title=Crash of an Avro Anson on Richmond Golf Course, 18 December 1939|url=http://ozatwar.com/ozcrashes/nsw48.htm|website=ozatwar.com|access-date=18 August 2016}}</ref>
* On 29 September 1940, Ansons ''L9162'' and ''N4876'' of [[No. 2 Service Flying Training School RAAF]] collided in mid-air and became locked together in flight. A successful emergency landing was made at [[Brocklesby, New South Wales]]. ''L9162'' became a ground instructional airframe, whilst N4876 was repaired and returned to service (''see [[1940 Brocklesby mid-air collision]]'').
* On 8 November 1940, Anson N9945 piloted by RAF Pilot Officer Frederick Phillip Fry struck a barrage balloon cable near Birmingham and crashed killing all five on board.
* On 28 January 1941, RAAF Anson A4-5 left Parkes bound for Mascot on a medical evacuation flight. It approached Glenbrook and suffered a structural failure of the port wing crashing near the corner of Cliffton Ave and Lucasville Road killing all five on board.
* On 13 April 1941, Anson N9857 of 19 Operational Training Unit from [[RAF Kinloss]] crashed on Beinn an Fhurain at an altitude of {{convert|2,300|ft|m|0|adj=ri0}} approximately {{convert|3|miles|km|0|adj=ri0}} east of [[Inchnadamph]]. At least 4 of the 6 aircrew survived the crash but died of exposure in blizzard conditions. Their bodies are buried at the crash site.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anson N9857 – Beinn an Fhurain |url=http://www.archieraf.co.uk/scs/ansonn9857.html |website=archieraf.co.uk |access-date = 31 October 2019}}</ref>
* On 17 April 1942, Anson W2630 of RAF Wigtown crashed into the east side of Galloway mountain Cairnsmore of Fleet near Creetown, southwest Scotland. The aircraft exploded on impact, killing the pilot and a civilian passenger. The wireless operator survived with severe burns.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/crash_sites/scotland/avro-anson-w2630-cairnsmore-of-fleet/|title=1942-04-17&#124;Anson Mk.I&#124;W2630&#124;No.1 AOS, RAF&#124;Cairnsmore of Fleet, Dumfries & Galloway|date=3 August 2016}}</ref>
* On 2 July 1942, Anson Mk.I N5297 of No.2 Observers Advanced Flying Unit (O)AFU crashed on Shalloch-on-Minnoch, South Ayrshire, during a navigation training flight out of Millom, Cumbria.  All five airmen, including three trainees, were killed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-14 |title=1942-07-02{{!}}Anson Mk.I{{!}}N5297{{!}}No.2 (O)AFU, RAF{{!}}Shalloch-on-Minnoch, South Ayrshire |url=https://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/crash_sites/scotland/avro-anson-n5297-shalloch-on-minnoch/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=Peak District Air Accident Research |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* On 9 October 1942, four Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airmen were killed when their Anson crashed near Clackline, Western Australia. The crew are commemorated by the [[Avro Anson Memorial]].
* On 30 October 1942, an Anson took off from Sidney airport on [[Vancouver Island]], British Columbia, Canada, with Royal Canadian Air Force Sgt. William Baird and British Air Force Pilot Officer Charles Fox, Pilot Officer Anthony Lawrence and Sgt. Robert Luckock aboard. The aircraft crashed, killing all aboard, {{convert|50|km|mi|-1}} from takeoff, on a remote mountainside near [[Port Renfrew]]. The wreckage and remains of the crew were found by loggers in October 2013 and recovered in May 2014.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/b-c-lumberjacks-find-bodies-of-second-world-war-aircraft-crew-72-years-after-they-disappeared | title=B.C. lumberjacks find bodies of Second World War airmen 72 years after Vancouver Island plane crash | work=National Post | date=30 May 2014 | access-date=22 October 2024}}</ref>
* On 2 November 1942, Anson DG919 of 67 Squadron RAAF (attached Laverton) crashed at Mallacoota Airfield in Victoria, Australia, killing crew members Sergeant John Hueston Sawrey, Sergeant Leonard Arthur Lupton and Sergeant Ralph Cassidy. The aircraft over ran the runway and crashed into a quarry and the three 100 lb A/S bombs on board the aircraft exploded.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} 
* On 28 November 1942, Anson I N9838 of 38 Air Navigation School (Canada) RAF operating from [[RCAF Station Port Albert|RCAF Port Albert]] was lost over [[Lake Huron]] during a routine night-time training mission. The aircraft's last position was recorded approximately 15 minutes flying time from the airfield, after which contact was lost. The bodies of pilot, Sergeant Leslie Shaw, Flight Sergeant Robert Brown (of the Free French Airforce - also known as Robert Basquin), Leading Aircraftman Cecil James and Aircraftman First Class William Addis were never recovered. No official cause for the crash was identified but it was speculated that wing icing may have contributed.<ref>[https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/387920 Aviation Safety Network, ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 387920]</ref>
* On 7 December 1943, another piggy-back accident occurred when RCAF #18 SFTS Anson II JS193 came down on top of Anson II JS167 in the landing circuit at Gimli, Manitoba. Both aircraft landed safely still entangled, and both were later repaired.<ref>Air Force, Spring 1991, Summer 1991, Flypast May 1997, CAHS Journal Vol. 10, No. 4</ref>
* On 19 January 1944, RCAF #2 Training Command, Anson II #7164 landed on top of Anson II #8561 and again both landed safely but entangled. Anson #7164 was a write-off, but #8561 was repaired.<ref>Air Force magazine, Winter, 1991</ref>
* On 13 February 1944, a USAAF 29(PR) Squadron AT-20 (Anson II) 43-8197 crashed on takeoff at Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2Lt S.F. Jankowski killed, pilot V.N. Luber injured. The pilots had forgotten to remove the [[gust lock]]s from the controls.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} This was the only fatal accident involving a USAAF AT-20.
* On 19 December 1945, a [[Companhia Meridional de Transportes]] Anson Mk. II registration ''PP-MTA'' crashed in the neighbourhood of [[Itaipu (Niterói)|Itaipu]], [[Niterói]], [[Brazil]] killing all passengers and crew, including the pilot and owner of the airline, Álvaro Araújo.<ref>Pereira, Aldo. ''Breve História da Aviação Comercial Brasileira'' (in Portuguese). ''Europa'', (Rio de Janeiro), 1987, p. 290.</ref>
* On 14 December 1947, a Mark 1 AX505, ex VH-BBY, recently purchased by the Indonesian government and [[Avro Anson RI-003|numbered RI-003]], was being used to transport war equipment and medicine. It crashed in the sea between Malaya and Sumatra. The two crew were killed and were later appointed [[National Hero of Indonesia|Indonesian National Hero]]es. There is a memorial to them with a sculpture of the aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Harro |title=Accident Avro Anson Mk I RI-003, 14 Dec 1947 |url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=145065 |website=aviation-safety.net |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=11 August 2018 |date=9 April 2014}}</ref>
* On 11 June 1948, Avro XIX ''G-AGNI'' of [[Lancashire Aircraft Corporation]] ditched off [[Bradda Head]], Isle of Man due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft was operating a scheduled passenger flight from [[Squires Gate Airport]], [[Blackpool]] to Ronaldsway Airport, Isle of Man via [[RAF Walney Island]], Lancashire. All nine people on board were rescued by a [[Trawler (fishing)|trawler]] from [[Port Erin]] and the {{MV|Silkthorn}}.{{sfn|Poole|1999|pp=123–24}}

==Variants==
The main Anson variant was the Mk I, of which 6,704 were built in Britain. The other variants were mainly distinguished by their powerplant with Canadian-built Ansons using local engines. To overcome [[steel]] shortages, the 1,051 Canadian-built Mk V Ansons featured a [[plywood]] [[fuselage]].

[[File:AvroAnsonCameraInstallJuly1944.jpg|thumb|Sergeant of No. 14 (P) Squadron, RCAF, installing a vertical camera in an Avro Anson V, Rockcliffe, Ont., 4 July 1944]]
;Mk I: 6,688 Mk Is were built. Powered by two {{cvt|350|hp}} [[Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah]] IX or {{cvt|395|hp}} XIX engines.
;Mk II: 1,401 Mk IIs were built in Canada; powered by two {{cvt|330|hp}} [[Jacobs Aircraft Engine Company|Jacobs]] [[Jacobs R-915|L-6MB R-915]] engines and fitted with hydraulic landing gear retraction rather than the manual system used on the Anson I.
;Mk III: 432 Mk I aircraft converted in Canada to two {{cvt|330|hp}} Jacobs L-6MB R-915 engines.
;Mk IV: One aircraft converted from a Mk I in Canada to two [[Wright R-975 Whirlwind]] engines.
;Mk V: 1,069 Mk Vs were built in Canada for navigator training powered by two {{cvt|450|hp}} [[Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior]] engines and given a new wood monocoque fuselage. 77 early Mk. V aircraft built using Mk. II components were designated Mk. VA. 
;Mk VI: One aircraft was built in Canada for bombing and gunnery training; it was powered by two {{cvt|450|hp}} R-985 Wasp Junior engines.
;Mk X: 104 Anson Mk Is were converted into Mk Xs with a reinforced floor, for use as a transport.
;Mk XI: 90 Anson Mk Is were converted into Mk XIs.
;Mk XII: 20 Anson Mk Is were converted into Mk XIIs, plus 221 new Mk XII aircraft built.
;Mk XIII: Gunnery trainer powered by two Cheetah XI or XIX engines; never built.
;Mk XIV: Gunnery trainer powered by two Cheetah XV engines; never built.
;Mk XVI: Navigation trainer; never built.
;Mk XV: Bombing trainer; never built.
;C 19: 264 were built for the RAF; used as communications and transport aircraft.
;T 20: Navigation trainer for the RAF, a variant of the Mk XIX to meet Air Ministry Specification T.24/46 for an overseas navigation trainer, one pilot two wireless operators (one trainee and one instructor) and five navigator positions (three trainees and two instructors). Used for bombing and navigation training in [[Southern Rhodesia]], 60 built.
;T 21: Navigation trainers for the RAF, a variant of the Mk XIX to meet Air Ministry Specification T.25/46 for a home navigation trainer, one pilot two wireless operators (one trainee and one instructor) and five navigator positions (three trainees and two instructors). A prototype was flown in May 1948, 252 were built.
;C.21: Modification of T.21s for communications and transport duties.
;T 22: Radio trainers for the RAF, a variant of the Mk XIX to meet Air Ministry Specification T.26/46, one pilot and four wireless operator stations (three for trainees and one for an instructor), a prototype was flown in June 1948, 54 built.
;Anson 18: Developed from the Avro Nineteen; 12 aircraft were sold to the Royal [[Afghan Air Force]] for use as communications, police patrol and aerial survey aircraft.
;Anson 18C: 13 aircraft were built for the Indian government; used for training civil aircrews.
;Avro Nineteen: (Also known as the '''Anson XIX'''): Civil transport version; 56 aircraft were built in two series.
;AT-20:United States military designation for Canadian-built Anson IIs used by the United States Army Air Forces, 50 built.

==Operators==
{{Main list|List of Avro Anson operators}}

The Avro Anson was used by both military and civilian operators from 1935 until the early 1970s. The main users were the [[Royal Air Force]] (5000+), [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] (4,413) and [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (936)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.britishaviation-ptp.com/avro652_2.html#prodlistAnsonATP | title=Avro 652A Anson (Military Variants) }}</ref>

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* {{AFG}}
* {{ARG}} 
* {{AUS}} 
* {{BHR}}
* {{BEL}}
* {{BRA}}
* {{flag|Canada|1921}}
* {{CUB}}
* {{CZS}}
* {{flag|Egypt|1922}}
* {{EST}}
* {{ETH}}
* {{FIN}}
* {{FRA}}
* {{flag|Greece|royal}}
* {{flag|India|British}}
* {{flag|India|}}
* {{INA}}
* {{flag|Iran|1925}} 
* {{flag|Iraq|1924}}
* {{IRL}} 
* {{ISR}} 
* {{MEX}}
* {{NLD}} 
* {{NZL}}
* {{NOR}} 
* {{PAR}}
* {{POR}}
* {{flag|Portuguese Timor}}
* {{flag|Rhodesia}}
* {{SAU}}
* {{flag|South Africa|1928}}
* {{flag|Southern Rhodesia}}
* {{SYR}}
* {{TUR}}
* {{UK}}
* {{USA}}
* {{YUG}}
}}

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:CF15 Avro Anson ZK-RRA 040415 04.jpg|thumb|Anson ''ZK-RRA'' performing a public display at Classic Fighters 2015]]
[[File:Dragon Rapide & Avro Anson - Duxford Jubilee Airshow 2012 (7327298730).jpg|thumb|An Avro Anson flying in close formation with a [[de Havilland Dragon Rapide]] at the [[Flying Legends|Duxford Jubilee Airshow 2012]]]]
[[File:Inside the AVRO XIX, the first Air Corps aircraft with a monoplane design and a retractable undercarriage. Sistership to the AVRO Anson serving from 1930s - 1970s (12119468396).jpg|thumb|The cockpit of Avro C.19 ''141'', displayed at the Irish Air Corps Museum, 2014]]
[[File:Avro Anson - Duxford Jubilee Airshow 2012 (7313110592).jpg|thumb|A preserved Avro Anson in flight, 2012]]

===Australia===
;On display
* W2068 - Anson 1  VH-ASM. On public display in glass walled building at Tamworth Airport Tamworth NSW Australia. Operated post WW2 by East West Airlines (their first aircraft) then Marshall Airways. 
* W2121 – Anson I on static display at the [[Aviation Heritage Museum (Western Australia)|Aviation Heritage Museum]] at [[Bull Creek, Western Australia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson |url=http://www.raafawa.org.au/museum/avro-anson |website=Aviation Heritage Museum |access-date=16 December 2016 |last1=Studio |first1=Cicada }}</ref>
* W2364 – Anson I displayed at the Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre in [[Nhill, Victoria]].<ref>https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/Grampians/Things-to-do/History-and-heritage/Nhill-Aviation-Heritage-Centre and {{cite web |title=Restoration image library |url=http://nhillaviationheritagecentre.com.au/events-fb.html |website=Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216144512/http://nhillaviationheritagecentre.com.au/events-fb.html |archive-date=16 February 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Restoring an Avro Anson – 2016 Update |url=https://acesflyinghigh.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/restoring-an-avro-anson-2016-update |website=Aces Flying High |access-date=16 December 2016 |date=28 March 2016}}</ref>
* AX350 – Anson I on static display at the Lincoln Nitschke Aviation Collection at Greenock, South Australia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/Oceania/Australia/Greenock/Anson_1.htm|title = Avro 652A Anson I MG390 - Lincoln Nitschke Aviation Collection}}</ref>
;Stored or under restoration
* R9883 – Anson I stored at the [[Camden Museum of Aviation]], New South Wales - closed to the general public since 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anson 652-A Mk 1 R9883 |url=http://www.camdenmuseumofaviation.com.au/aircraft-details.php?id=13 |website=The Camden Museum of Aviation |access-date=16 December 2016 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601022302/http://www.camdenmuseumofaviation.com.au/aircraft-details.php?id=13 |archive-date=1 June 2016  }}</ref>
* W2472 – Anson I under restoration at the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre in [[Amberley, Queensland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.warbirdsonline.com.au/2013/07/01/avro-anson-restoration-at-amberley/|title = Avro Anson restoration at Amberley &#124; Warbirds Online|date = July 2013}}</ref>
* EF954 – Anson I under restoration at the [[South Australian Aviation Museum]] in [[Port Adelaide, South Australia]]. The restoration uses parts from AW965.<ref>{{cite web |title=Restorations |url=http://www.saam.org.au/our-collection/restorations |website=South Australian Aviation Museum |access-date=19 December 2016 |archive-date=5 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205164528/http://www.saam.org.au/our-collection/restorations/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* LV284 – Anson I under restoration at the Avro Anson Museum in [[Ballarat, Victoria]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://acesflyinghigh.wordpress.com/2018/09/22/friends-of-the-avro-anson-air-museum-2018-restoration-update/|title = Friends of the Avro Anson Air Museum – 2018 Restoration Update|date = 22 September 2018}}</ref>
* MG222 – Anson I under restoration at the [[Queensland Air Museum]] in [[Caloundra, Queensland]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cuskelly |first1=Ron |title=Avro Anson Mk I MG222 |url=http://qam.com.au/collection/avro-anson-mk-i-mg222 |website=Queensland Air Museum |access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref>
* MG422 – Anson I (remains only) on display at the [[Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum]], New South Wales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amnn.com.au/dt_gallery/avro-anson-mk1-serial-mg422/|title = Avro Anson MkI MG422|date = 8 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-03/avro-display/9723482?nw=0|title = The WWII Avro Anson is the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome's latest acquisition| website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date = 3 May 2018}}</ref>

===Canada===

;On display
* Unknown – Anson II on static display at the [[Alberta Aviation Museum]] in [[Edmonton]], Alberta.<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson II (1937) |url=http://www.albertaaviationmuseum.com/Aircraft/Avro_Anson_II_(1937) |website=Alberta Aviation Museum |access-date=16 December 2016 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217064257/http://www.albertaaviationmuseum.com/Aircraft/Avro_Anson_II_(1937) |archive-date=17 December 2016  }}</ref>
* Unknown – Anson II on static display at the [[Greenwood Military Aviation Museum]] in [[Greenwood, Nova Scotia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=AVRO ANSON MKII |url=http://www.gmam.ca/anson.html |website=Greenwood Military Aviation Museum |publisher=GMAM |access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref>
* 7481 – Anson II on static display at the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in [[Nanton, Alberta]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson Mk II |url=http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/anson.html |website=Bomber Command Museum of Canada |publisher=Nanton Lancaster Society |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828035436/http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/anson.html |archive-date=28 August 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 12125 – Anson V on static display at the [[Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum]] in [[Brandon, Manitoba]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}}
* 12518 – Anson V on static display at the [[Canada Aviation and Space Museum]] in [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web |title=AVRO ANSON V |url=http://casmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/collection-research/artifact-avro-anson-v.php |website=Canada Aviation and Space Museum |publisher=Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-date=7 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107055525/http://casmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/collection-research/artifact-avro-anson-v.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Composite – Anson II at [[The Hangar Flight Museum]] in [[Calgary, Alberta]]. It painted as RCAF 7401.<ref>{{cite web |title=AVRO 652 ANSON MK. II |url=http://www.thehangarmuseum.ca/exhibits/avro-652-anson-mk-ii |website=The Hangar Flight Museum |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220184331/http://www.thehangarmuseum.ca/exhibits/avro-652-anson-mk-ii |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Composite – Anson II on static display at the [[British Columbia Aviation Museum]] in [[Sidney, British Columbia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The War Birds (1939–1945) |url=http://www.bcam.net/the-war-birds-1939-1945 |website=British Columbia Aviation Museum |access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref> This airframe is K8786, restored using parts of FP846, as which it is painted.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Macdonald |first1=Ian M. |title=AVRO 652A ANSON 1, K8786, BRITISH COLUMBIA AVIATION MUSEUM |url=http://abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1053479|website=ABPic |publisher=Air-Britain |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref>
* Unknown – Anson I on static display at the [[Saskatchewan Western Development Museum]] in [[Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aviation Gallery |url=http://www.wdm.ca/mj/aviation.htm |website=Western Development Museum |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818065905/http://wdm.ca/mj/aviation.htm |archive-date=18 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Unknown –  Anson II on static display at the [[National Air Force Museum of Canada]] in [[Trenton, Ontario]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://airforcemuseum.ca/eng/?page_id=1066|title=Anson – National Air Force Museum of Canada|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-03-08}}</ref>

;Stored or under restoration
* 6081 - Anson Mk.I under restoration to static display at [[Saskatchewan aviation museum]] in [[Saskatoon, Saskatchewan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson Mk. I |url=https://saskaviation.ca/1941-avro-652a-anson-mk-i-iii/ |website=Saskatchewan aviation museum|publisher=SAHS  |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref>
* 12417 – Anson V under restoration to airworthy condition at the [[Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum]] in [[Hamilton, Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson Mk. V |url=http://www.warplane.com/aircraft/collection/details.aspx?aircraftId=2 |website=Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum |access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref>
* 12477 – Anson V stored at the [[Reynolds-Alberta Museum]] in [[Wetaskiwin, Alberta]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aviation |url=https://reynoldsmuseum.ca/aviation |website=Reynolds Museum |publisher=Government of Alberta |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref>

===Ireland===
;On display
* 141 – Avro C.19 on static display at the Irish Air Corps Museum in [[Baldonnel, County Dublin]].<ref name="RAFM-C" />

===Netherlands===
;On display
* VM352 – Anson 19 on static display at the Canadian Allied Forces Museum Foundation in [[Groningen]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier – Avro Anson C.19, s/n VM352 RAF, c/n 7356 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=2094 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref>

===New Zealand===
[[File:Avro Anson, Shuttleworth Flying Day - June 2013.jpg|thumb|Avro 19 (Anson) of the BAe Systems Heritage Flight based at [[The Shuttleworth Collection]] at Old Warden in 2013]]
;Airworthy
* ZK-RRA (formerly RAF/RAAF MH120) now painted to represent RAF Coastal Command K6183 – Anson I airworthy with R&R Aviation Limited in [[Wakefield, New Zealand|Wakefield, Tasman]].<ref>{{cite web |title=RR AVIATION |url=http://www.totsaviation.co.nz/servicing/rr-aviation-ltd |website=Top of the South Aviation Cluster |access-date=17 December 2016 |archive-date=9 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409095157/https://www.totsaviation.co.nz/servicing/rr-aviation-ltd/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="AerialVisuals.ca"/>
;On display
* Composite – Anson I on static display at the [[Air Force Museum of New Zealand]] in [[Wigram|Wigram, Canterbury]]. This airframe is a composite of several aircraft including the fuselage of NZ415, centre section, mainplane, and tailplane of VL352, and various other parts from NZ410 and NZ422.<ref>{{cite web |title=Featured Aircraft |url=http://www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/collections/featured-collections/?c_type=aircraft |website=Air Force Museum of New Zealand |access-date=16 December 2016 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220185851/http://www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/collections/featured-collections/?c_type=aircraft |archive-date=20 December 2016  }}</ref>

===United Arab Emirates===
;On display
* TX183 – Anson 19 on display at [[Mahatta Fort#Al Mahatta Museum|Al Mahatta Museum]] in [[Sharjah]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leeuw |first1=Ruud |title=Al Mahatta aviation museum – Sharjah, Feb.2010 |url=http://www.ruudleeuw.com/sharjah-almahatta_museum-2010.htm |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="RAFM-C" />

===United Kingdom===
;Airworthy
* G-AHKX – Anson XIX airworthy with the [[Shuttleworth Collection]] at Old Warden Aerodrome, Bedfordshire.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.shuttleworth.org/2022/03/24/bae-systems-gifts-iconic-heritage-aircraft-to-fly-with-the-shuttleworth-trust/ | title=BAE Systems Gifts Iconic Heritage Aircraft to Fly with the Shuttleworth Trust | date=24 March 2022 }}</ref> Formerly operated by the collection on behalf of the BAe Systems Heritage Flight,<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro C19 Anson |url=http://www.shuttleworth.org/collection/avroanson |website=Shuttleworth |access-date=21 September 2020 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021152006/https://www.shuttleworth.org/collection/avroanson/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> the aircraft was donated to the collection in 2022.
* WD413 – Anson C.21, now privately owned and registered as G-VROE. It was previously operated by [[Classic Air Force]] at Coventry Airport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caa.co.uk/aircraft-register/g-info/search-g-info/|title=G-VROE – Registration History|publisher=CAA G-INFO|access-date=7 March 2024}}</ref>

;On display
* N4877 – Anson I on static display at the [[Imperial War Museum Duxford]] in [[Duxford, Cambridgeshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson Mk 1 |url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/70000075 |website=Imperial War Museums |access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref>
* LT773  VH-AZU – Anson I fuselage on static display at the [[Royal Air Force Museum London]] in [[London]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson 1 Painted as and often confused incorrectly with VH-ASM which is on display in Australia. |url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/avro-anson-1 |website=Royal Air Force Museum |publisher=Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Simpson |first1=Andrew |title=INDIVIDUAL HISTORY [W2068] |url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/1996-0066-A-Avro-Anson-1-W2068.pdf |website=Royal Air Force Museum |access-date=17 December 2016 |date=2012}}</ref>
* TX213 – Anson C.19 on static display at the [[North East Land, Sea and Air Museums]] in [[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson C.19 (TX213/G-AWRS) |url=http://www.nelsam.org.uk/NEAM/Exhibits/History/TX213.htm |website=North East Aircraft Museum |publisher=North East Land, Sea and Air Museums |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref>
* TX214 – Anson C.19 on static display at the [[Royal Air Force Museum Cosford]] in [[Cosford, Shropshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson C.19 |url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/avro-anson-c-19 |website=Royal Air Force Museum |publisher=Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref><ref name="RAFM-C">{{cite web |last1=Simpson |first1=Andrew |title=INDIVIDUAL HISTORY [TX214] |url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/85-A-07-Avro-Anson-19-TX214.pdf |website=Royal Air Force Museum |access-date=17 December 2016 |date=2012}}</ref>
* TX266 – Anson C.19 on static display whilst under restoration at [[Montrose Air Station Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Anson to be restored|date=30 April 2018 |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/angus-mearns/643756/second-world-war-aircraft-to-be-restored-to-former-glory-in-montrose/|publisher=The Courier|access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref>
* VL348 – Anson C.19 on static display at the [[Newark Air Museum]] in [[Newark, Nottinghamshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aircraft List |url=http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/Aircraft-List |website=Newark Air Museum |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref>
* VL349 – Anson C.19 on static display at the [[Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum]] in [[Flixton, The Saints|Flixton, Suffolk]].<ref>{{cite web |title=OUR AIRCRAFT |url=http://www.aviationmuseum.net/ouraircraft.htm |website=Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref>
* VM360 – Anson C.19 on static display at the [[National Museum of Flight]] in [[East Fortune|East Fortune, East Lothian]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson |url=http://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-flight/discover-the-museum/our-aircraft/civil-aircraft/avro-anson |website=National Museums Scotland |access-date=17 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson G-APHV |url=http://www.nms.ac.uk/explore/stories/science-and-technology/avro-anson |website=National Museums Scotland |access-date=17 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221032933/http://www.nms.ac.uk/explore/stories/science-and-technology/avro-anson |archive-date=21 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

;Stored or under restoration
* AX246 – Anson I under restoration with Jet Art Aviation near [[Leeds, Yorkshire]].<ref name="wr25-294">Ellis 2016, p. 294.</ref>
* TX235 – Anson C.19 under restoration with the Classic Air Force near Coventry, West Midlands.<ref name="wr25-275">Ellis 2016, p. 275.</ref>
* VM325 – Anson C.19 under restoration with the Carew Control Tower Group in [[Carew, Pembrokeshire]].<ref name="wr25-321">Ellis 2016, p. 321.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wings Over Carew |url=http://www.gem.org.uk/res/notes/ball/ball-downloads/res_start/res_start3.pdf |website=GEM |access-date=17 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220164951/http://www.gem.org.uk/res/notes/ball/ball-downloads/res_start/res_start3.pdf |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* VV901 – Anson T.21 under restoration to static display at the [[Yorkshire Air Museum]] in [[Elvington, City of York|Elvington, North Yorkshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Avro Anson T.21 |url=http://yorkshireairmuseum.org/exhibits/post-world-war-ii-aircraft/avro-anson-t21 |website=The Yorkshire Air Museum |publisher=The Octane Factory |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-date=19 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019100823/http://yorkshireairmuseum.org/exhibits/post-world-war-ii-aircraft/avro-anson-t21/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Specifications (GR Mk I)==
[[File:Avro Anson Mk.I.png|frameless|right|3-view drawing of the Avro Anson I]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II,<ref name="mondey p26"/> and Avro Aircraft since 1908'' <ref name="jackav p332">Jackson 1990, p. 322.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=3–4
|length ft=42
|length in=3
|length note=
|span ft=56
|span in=6
|span note=
|height ft=13
|height in=1
|height note=
|wing area sqft=463
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight lb=5375
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=8000
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name=[[Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX]]
|eng1 type=7-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines
|eng1 hp=335
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixed-pitch propellers
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=188
|max speed note=at {{cvt|7000|ft}}
|cruise speed mph=158
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed note=
|range miles=660
|range note=
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=19000
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ftmin=960
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=<br/>
:*1 × [[.303 British|.303 in]] (7.7 mm) [[M1919 Browning machine gun|machine gun]] in front fuselage
:*1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) [[Vickers K machine gun]] in dorsal turret
|bombs=<br>
:*{{cvt|360|lb|-1}} of bombs
}}

==Notable planes==
* [[Avro Anson RI-003]]
<!-- All content about the aircraft in fictional and gaming use has been moved to [[Aircraft in fiction, please see [[WP:AIRPOP]] -->
{{Main|Aircraft in fiction#Avro Anson}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Avro 652]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Airspeed Oxford]]
* [[Cessna AT-17 Bobcat]]
* [[Focke-Wulf Fw 58]]
* [[Kyūshū Q1W]] ''Tokai''
* [[Siebel Si 204]]
* [[Tachikawa Ki-54]]
|lists=
*[[List of aircraft of World War II]]
*[[List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm]]
*[[List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force]]
}}

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite journal |last1=Aloni|first1=Shlomo|title=Turtles and the Cheetahs |journal=Air Enthusiast |date=March–April 2001|issue=92|pages=44–49 |issn=0143-5450}}
* Cheesman, E. C. ''Brief Glory: the story of the ATA.'' Harborough Publishing, 1946.
* {{cite magazine |title=Complete Civil Registers: 5: CR-T: Portuguese Timor |magazine=Archive |publisher=[[Air-Britain]] |year=1982 |issue=2 |page=32 |issn=0262-4923}}
* Donald, David and Jon Lake, eds. ''Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft''. London: AIRtime Publishing, 1996. {{ISBN|1-880588-24-2}}.
* Ellis, Ken. ''Wrecks & Relics – 25th Edition''. Manchester, England: Crecy Publishing, 2016. {{ISBN|978 191080 9037}}
* Franks, Norman. ''The Air Battle of Dunkirk''. London: William Kimber, 1983. {{ISBN|0-7183-0349-0}}.
* Gerdessen, Frederik. "Estonian Air Power 1918 – 1945". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', No. 18, April – July 1982. pp.&nbsp;61–76. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}.
* Gunston, Bill. ''Classic World War II Aircraft Cutaways''. London: Osprey, 1995. {{ISBN|1-85532-526-8}}.
* {{cite book |last1=Heinonen |first1=Timo |last2=Valtonen |first2=Hannu |title=Albatrossista Pilatukseen – Suomen sotilaslentokoneet 1917–2010 |date=2010 |publisher=[[Aviation Museum of Central Finland|Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseo]] |location=[[Tikkakoski]] |isbn=978-952-99989-2-0 |language=fi}}
* Jackson, A.J. ''Avro Aircraft since 1908, 2nd edition''. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1990. {{ISBN|0-85177-834-8}}.
* Hall, Alan W. ''Avro Anson Mks. 1–22'' (Warpaint Series No. 53). Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, UK: Warpaint Books Ltd., 2006.
* Hall, Alan W. and Eric Taylor. ''Avro Anson Marks I, III, IV & X''. London: Almark Publishing Co. Ltd., 1972. {{ISBN|0-85524-064-4}}.
* Holmes, Harry. ''Avro Anson'' (Images of Aviation). London: Tempus Publishing Ltd., 2000. {{ISBN|0-7524-1738-X}}.
* {{cite book |last = Lawrence |first = Joseph |title = The Observer's Book Of Airplanes |location = London and New York |publisher = Frederick Warne & Co |year = 1945}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Lopes|first1=Mario C.|title=Les avions Avro au Portugal: des inconnu aux plus célèbres|journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et Son Histoire|date=January 2000 |issue=82 |pages=28–33 |trans-title=Portuguese Avro Aircraft: From the Unknown to the Most Famous|language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
* March, Peter R. "Anson's 50th Birthday". ''[[Air Pictorial]]'', Vol. 47, No. 7, July 1985. pp.&nbsp;260–264.
* [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1936/1936%20-%200263.html "Modernity for the R.A.F.: A Low-wing Cantilever Monoplane Goes Into Service — The Avro Anson, Equipped for Long-Range Over-water Reconnaissance: High Performance and a Comfortable Cabin"]. ''[[Flight International|Flight]]'', 30 January 1936, Vol. XXIX, No. 1414, pp. c–d, 117–119. 
* Middleton, Don. "RAF Piston Trainers No. 8: Avro Anson". ''[[Aeroplane Monthly]]'', April 1980, Vol. 8, No. 4. pp.&nbsp;186–193. {{ISSN|0143-7240}}.
* Mondey, David. ''The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft of World War II''. London: Chancellor Press. 1994. {{ISBN|1-85152-668-4}}.
*{{cite journal|title=Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation|journal=Air Enthusiast Quarterly |date=n.d. |issue=2 |pages=154–162 |issn=0143-5450}}
*{{cite book |last1=Sipos |first1=Milos |last2=Cooper |first2=Tom |title=Wings of Iraq, Volume 1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931-1970 |date=2020 |publisher=Helion & Company Publishing |location=Warwick, UK |isbn=978-1-913118-74-7}}
*{{Cite book | first = Stephen| last = Poole| title = Rough Landing or Fatal Flight | year = 1999| publisher=Amulree Publications, 1999| location = Douglas, Isle of Mann, UK| isbn = 1-901508-03-X}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Stitt|first1=Robert M.|title=Adaptable 'Annie': Spartan's Multi-Talented Avro Ansons |journal=Air Enthusiast |date=March–April 1999 |issue=80 |pages=12–27 |issn=0143-5450}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Stroud |first1=Nick |title=Fire in the Belly |journal=The Aviation Historian |date=2017 |issue=20 |pages=90–97 |issn=2051-1930}}
* Sturtivant, Ray C. ''The Anson File''. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. {{ISBN|0-85130-156-8}}.
* Sturtivant, Ray. "Avro Anson: The chronicles of 'Faithful Annie'". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', Forty-two, 1991. pp.&nbsp;37–51. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}.
* {{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=Stewart |title=Military Aircraft of Australia |date=1994 |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Weston Creek, Australia |isbn=1875671080 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Thetford |first1=Owen |title=British Naval Aircraft since 1912 |year=1991 |publisher=Putnam Aeronautical Books, an imprint of Conway Maritime Press Ltd |location= [[London]], UK |isbn=0-85177-849-6 }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Avro Anson}}

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061008144519/http://www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/main/AvroAnson/ RNZAF Museum Anson page]
*[https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/browse?tags=Anson Anson] from the IBCC Digital Archive at the University of Lincoln.

{{Avro aircraft}}
{{Victory Aircraft}}
{{Aircraft manufactured in Canada}}
{{USAF trainer aircraft}}
{{ADF aircraft designations}}
{{Czech transport aircraft}}
{{British military aircraft since World War II}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Avro aircraft|Anson]]
[[Category:1930s British military reconnaissance aircraft]]
[[Category:1930s British military trainer aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1935]]
[[Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]