Avro Anson Mk.1 - The Only One Of Its Kind Flying

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 tenders issued by the British Air Ministry for a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Having impressed the Air Ministry, a single prototype was built, which conducted its maiden flight on 24 March 1935. An initial order for 174 aircraft was placed in July 1935, and the type was placed into service with the Royal Air Force. The Anson was initially used in the maritime reconnaissance role alongside the larger flying boats. However, by the onset of WW2 the type was found to have become obsolete in front line combat roles. Large numbers of the type were put to use as a multi-engined aircrew 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 the training role throughout and after the Second World War, remaining in Royal Air Force service as a trainer and communications aircraft until 28 June 1968. -- http://www.aviationfilm.com Copyright © 2017 Historical Aviation Film Unit This video material may not be reproduced in any form (except on other websites as an unedited embedded video which links back to to this YouTube master), without the written permission of the Historical Aviation Film Unit. This particularly applies to television broadcasters and other media outlets.