THE CAMDEN MUSEUM
OF AVIATION
OF AVIATION
Anson 652-A Mk 1 R9883Built by AV Roe & Co; England and after service with the RAF; R9883 was transferred to the RAAF in October 1940 and issued to 1 ANS. In November 1944 she was completely overhauled by Ansett Airways and offered to the RNZAF in 1945, but was finally sold to Adastra Airways Pty Ltd in August 1946. Under the Civil Registration VH-AVT and later VH-AGA, she was used for survey work by Sepal Pty Ltd (a division of Adastra-Hunting Geophysics Ltd) and in September 1963, Adastra Airways donated the Anson to the proposed Aviation Museum and stored privately until January 1965 and then to the Museum. The prototype Anson flew in England in 1935 and production continued until 1952, a total of 8,138 being built in England and 2,882 in Canada. Originally ordered by the RAAF for coastal reconnaissance, on the outbreak of WWII, the duties were increased to include escort and anti-submarine patrols in the coastal waters of Australia. Although after 1943, Beauforts, Hudsons and Catalinas took over the bulk of these duties, Ansons were still in use for operational patrols until the final months of the war. The Empire Air Training Scheme used Ansons throughout Australia for the training of pilots on multi-engined aircraft; also they were used for training of crew at Bombing & Gunnery, Wireless Air Gunnery and Air Observer Schools. Over 1000 Ansons were delivered to the RAAF and at the end of the war large numbers of these were sold through the Disposals Commission for civil use, including passenger and freight services and survey work. |
 Avro Ansons in flight. Photograph courtesy of Department of Defence  R9883 at Camden Airport. Photograph courtesy of N M Parnell |
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