Airfix 09191 Avro Anson Mk1

Series 9 aircraft

Highlighting the importance of the Avro Anson as a British aircraft type, when it entered service with No. 48 Squadron at RAF Manston in March 1936, it became the first monoplane type to achieve squadron service status.  It was also the first RAF aircraft to feature a retractable undercarriage.

At this time, the advanced Anson quickly began to attract attention from several other countries and in order to capitalise on this interest, some aircraft were diverted from existing RAF orders to fulfil these requirements, with full production forcing Avro to open new manufacturing facilities in the north west of England.

Despite the fact that the RAF entered WWII with 26 squadrons equipped with Avro Ansons, they were basically obsolete as a fighting machine and particularly for the ones assigned to Bomber Command.  They were quickly withdrawn to secondary training roles, a task for which the 'Faithful Annie' was particularly well suited.