Avro Anson V
- Period: Second World War (1939-1945)
- Uses: Trainer
- First Flight: January 1935 (Anson I)
- Display Status: On the Museum Floor.
The original three Ansons were built to civil specifications. The design was then modified for RAF use on coastal patrols. Early in Second World War, the Anson was selected as the standard twin-engine aircrew trainer for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan . To ensure availability, a production line was set up in Canada. By 1943 Canadian modifications resulted in the Anson V. Canada built 2 880 Ansons. After the war, Ansons continued in civilian use as light transports.
The Anson V featured a unique moulded-plywood fuselage which replaced the fabric-covered fuselage of earlier models. The smooth contours of the new fuselage enhanced performance and made the aircraft relatively draft-free, an important factor in the Canadian climate. The all-wood Anson was popular for magnetic surveys in Canada’s north.
Stable, strong, and reliable, it was known as “faithful Annie”. After a crash 565 km (350 mi) north of Edmonton, an Anson was flown out with almost 3 metres (10 ft) removed from each wing to even up the damage. Needing full power to fly, it ran out of fuel and landed on the frozen Athabasca River. The pilot temporarily lost his licence, but saved the Anson.
Museum Example
- Registration #: 12518 (RCAF)
- Manufacturer: MacDonald Bros. Aircraft Ltd., Canada
- Manufacture Date: 1945
- Construction #: MDF 329
- Aquisition Date: 1964
- Provenance: Transfer from RCAF
The Museum specimen entered the RCAF in June, 1945 and was retired in 1954. It remained in storage until 1964 when it was selected for preservation at the museum.
Specifications
- Wing Span:
- 17.2 m (56 ft 6 in)
- Length:
- 12.9 m (42 ft 3 in)
- Height:
- 4 m (13 ft 1 in)
- Weight, Empty:
- 3,035 kg (6,693 lb)
- Weight, Gross:
- 4,207 kg (9,275 lb)
- Cruising Speed:
- 280 km/h (174 mph)
- Max Speed:
- 306 km/h (190 mph)
- Rate of Climb:
- 2,440 m (8,000 ft) / 9 min 15sec
- Service Ceiling:
- 6,260 m (20,550 ft)
- Range:
- 864 km (537 mi)
- Crew:
- six (aircrew training version)
- Power Plant:
- two Pratt and Whitney R985-AN-14B Wasp Jr., 450-hp 9-cylinder radial engines
