My Grandfather flew these as an instructor during WW2. They have quite an interesting design - a space frame fuselage in high tensile steel, and the main wing spars are laminated wood. I didn't know that there were any flying, this one looks fantastic.
We had an Anson at Halfpenny Green air scouts during the 69/70's. Lovely aircraft and our skipper used to taxi it on open days along the runway with a few of us inside. We also had a Percival Proctor which we used to run up. Sadly all gone now but happy memories ❤
My first flight was in an Anson in 1955 from RAF Driffield. After take-off I noticed oil on the wing - told the crew who replied "That's normal with a radial engine". Shortly after I noted the upper part of the wing moving up and down - "Don't worry that's the flaps." Then the upper cowling came off so I called the crew again. This time he actually looked out of the window - "Oh shit" We did a rapid descent and landed ! I often wonder why I became a pilot :>)
Hello. What squadron were you? I was in 1312 (Southend) squadron. Probably 1956, two Ansons came to Southend and gave some cadets an air experiece flight. We flew in a loose formation and our stall-warning claxon was going off the whole time. Happy days. I am 82 this month. Cheers
Funnily enough, I worked on her sister ship TX183 in 1972 at Duxford and I still have the original fabric from the port side of the fuselage with the serial number on it. We were part way through a complete restoration when she was sold on, due to financial problems at the Shuttleworth Trust. It was a sad day for the entire team. It's nice to see this one flying and in safer hands!
The last time I saw an Anson was on the Station Flight at RAF Horsham St. Faith mid 1962 along with a Spitfire & Hurricane, back then I was stationed at RAF Neatishead, which was on Care & Maintenance status, so we all lived on Horsham St. Faiths and bussing back and fourth for lunch. Now Norwich City Airport.
