AVRO 652A ANSON
- The Avro Type 652A Anson was evolved by a design team headed by Roy
Chadwick in 1934, responding to a specification calling for a coastal
patrol landplane. The RAF requirements indicated an aeroplane of simi-lar
characteristics to the Avro 652 (see previ-ous entry) already designed
for Imperial Airways, and the Type 652A was of similar size and configuration,
with 295 hp Cheetah VI engines in helmeted cowlings; larger, square, windows;
provision for an Armstrong Whitworth hand-operated dorsal turret with
a single 0.303-in (7.7-mm) gun, a single forward-firing Vickers gun of
similar calibre in the fuselage, and a 360-lb (163-kg) bomb-load in the
centre section. A single prototype was flown on March 24, 1935, and production
was ordered on May 25 to Specification 18/35, with later batches to 16/37
and 34/37.
Avro Anson Mk I: Initial production version, differing from prototype
in having 350 hp Cheetah IXs and increased cabin windows. First example
flown December 31, 1935; deliveries to RAF began in February 1936 and
first squadron, No 48, commissioned at Manston on March 6, the Avro Anson
thus becoming the first monoplane and first air-craft with retractable
undercarriage to reach RAF squadron service. Served operationally with
Coastal Command squadrons until 1940, and on air-sea rescue duties until
1942; thereafter as a trainer for pilots, navi-gators and air gunners,
mostly with no dor-sal turret but including 313 fitted with Bristol B.I
Mk VI powered turrets. Also widely used for communication duties by RAF
and other air forces, including USAAF in the UK.
Total of 1,026 exported to Australia start-ing in 1936, 48 initially to
equip RAAF gen-eral reconnaissance squadrons and 978 later primarily for
use in Empire Air Training Scheme; also supplied to Canada (1,528), Rhodesia
(79), New Zealand (23) and South Africa (768) for the EATS. Three to Finnish
Air Force, 1937; one to Estonian Air Force, 1937; four to Irish Army Air
Corps, 1938; six to Turkish Air Force, 1939; 12 to Greek Air Force, 1939
of which ' some captured by Luftwaffe in 1941 and five transferred to
Egyptian Army Air Force to equip a light Bomber Squadron, joining one
Avro 652 Mk II and several Avro Anson Is previ-ously supplied; several
to Royal Iraqi Air Force 1938/39, destroyed May 1941; 48 to Imperial Iranian
Air Force 1943/44; 17 to Free French Air Forces up to 1945, others post-War.
Total Mk I production, 6,726 by Avro at Newton Heath and Yeadon.
Max speed, 188 mph (302 km/h). Cruising speed, 158 mph
(254 km/h). Initial climb, 960 ft/min (4.88 mlsec). Service ceiling, 19,000
ft (5,795 m). Range, 660 mis (1,062 km). Gross weight (coastal patrol),
9,300 Ib (4,222 kg); (gunnery trainer), 9,850 Ib (4,472 kg). Span, 56ft
6 in (17.23 m). Length, 42ft 3 in (12.89 m).
Avro Anson
Mk II: Canadian production ver-sion of Avro Anson Mk I, under direction
of Federal Aircraft Ltd with participation by de Havilland, Canadian Vickers,
CCF, National Steel Car Co, Ottawa Car and Aircraft Co and Macdonald Bros.
Fitted with faired plastic-bonded Vidal nose, Dowty hydraulic u/c retraction
and 330 hp Jacobs L6MB engines with smooth cowl-ings. Total of 1,832 built;
all served in Canada for CATP except 50 supplied to USAAF in 1942/43 as
AT-20 navigation trainers.
Max, speed, 178 mph (286 km/h). Gross weight, 7,660 Ib
(3,477 kg). Span, 56ft 6 in (17.23 m). Length, 42ft 3 in (12.89 m).
Avro Anson Mk III: Total of 150 British-built Avro Anson Mk Is
converted in Canada to have 3-30 hp Jacobs L6MB engines. Prototype flown
May 1941.
Avro Anson Mk IV: As Avro Anson Mk I with 300 hp Whirlwind R-760-E1
engines. Prototype conversion, R9816, in England and 169 Mk Is and Ills
converted in Canada in 1943.
Avro Anson Mk V: Improved Canadian pro-duction version with Vidal-mounted
ply-wood fuselage in place of original Fokker-type steel tube fuselage
construction. Used 450 hp R-985-AN12B or -AN14B engines with constant
speed propellers. No dorsal turret. Prototype flown in 1942; 1,049 built
for RCAF service, deliveries ended 1945.
Max speed, 190 mph (306 km/h). Cruising speed, 145 mph
(233 km/h). Initial climb, 1,500 ft/min (7.63 mlsec). Service ceiling,
21,450 ft (6.542 m). Gross weight, 9,460 Ib (4,295 kg). Span, 56ft 6 in
(17.23 m). Length, 42ft 3 in (12.89 m).
Avro Anson Mk VI: Gunnery trainer, as Mk V with Bristol B Mk VI
dorsal turret. One only, serial 13881.
Avro Anson X: British production version, as Mk I with strengthened
floor for heavy freight; many fitted with transparent nose cap and smooth
engine cowlings. Production of 120 by Avro at Yeadon, 1943, included Series
Is with Cheetah IXs and Series 2s with 395 hp Cheetah XIXs and hydraulic
u/c operation. Some Mk I conversions.
Avro Anson XI: Improved Mk X transport with deepened fuselage and
individual square windows in cabin; hydraulically-operated u/c as Canadian
Mk II; 395 hp Cheetah XIXs with fixed-pitch Fairey-Reed metal propellers.
Some fitted as ambu-lances, with stretcher-loading doors in port side.
Total of 90 delivered, 1944/45.
Avro Anson XII: Similar to Avro Anson Mk XI with 420 hp Cheetah
XVs and Rotol cs'pro-pellers with spinners. Prototype first flown September
5, 1944; 271 built.
Max speed,
190 mph (306 km/h). Cruising speed, 167 mph (269 km/h). Gross weight,
10,500 Ib (4,767kg).
