Simviation Forum - "The Flying Greenhouse"

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"The Flying Greenhouse" (Read 620 times)

May 21^st, 2005 at 8:17pm

Flying Trucker Ex Member

Known as "The Flying Greenhouse" or "Faithful Annie" the AVRO Anson was at one time the standard multi-engine training aircraft for pilots, observers, wire-less operators and bomb aimers.
The Royal Canadian Air Force Memorial Museum at Canadian Forces Base Trenton or RCAF Station Trenton as it should be called are going to acquire an Avro Anson air-frame for restoration and display.
In 1940, a Canadian Government owned company, Federal Aircraft Limited, was created to manufacture the British designed Anson for Canadian use.
Nearly 3000 Ansons were produced at the Montreal plant.
The Canadian version of the Anson featured a substantially re-designed aircraft, with the substitution of powerful North American engines, and many other airframe and equipment changes.
More than 20,000 aircrew received training on the Anson.
The Anson was fundamental to the training successes or the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)
in Canada during the Second World War.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

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Reply #1 - May 22^nd, 2005 at 5:13am

Hagar Offline
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Hi Doug. The Annie was still in service when I was in the ATC & many a young cadet had their first flight in it. This was the later version of the Annie used as a communications aircraft & general hack. It's fondly remembered now but had the reputation of giving an uncomfortable ride. If you were that way inclined it was almost guranteed to make you throw up even in the calmest conditions. I know of a couple of airworthy examples, BAe Systems owned Avro 19 operated by the Shuttleworth Trust at Old Warden & Air Atlantique's T.21 based at Coventry. I've only ever seen one example of the "Flying Glasshouse" version on static display at the Hendon museum. I'll look out some photos later.

PS. This might be better in the Specific Aircraft forum.

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Reply #2 - May 22^nd, 2005 at 5:26am

Craig. Offline
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sad that of 3000 made there, only 1 is being fixed up.

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Reply #3 - May 22^nd, 2005 at 6:57am

Hagar Offline
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Pics as promised. Best I can do right now.

Air Atlantique Classic Flight's beautifully restored T.21 at last year's RAFA show at Shoreham. This later version of the Annie remained in RAF service until 1968.

The Avro 19 (XIX) civil version at the 2004 Shuttleworth Pageant, Old Warden

The later versions used to be a common sight but I've never seen an example of the original Anson Mk I in the air. I forgot about the one at Duxford which is currently under restoration.
http://www.sweptwings.co.uk/anson_gallery.htm

PS. When the Anson entered service in February 1936 it was the RAF's first monoplane and its first aircraft with a retractable undercarriage. Quote:

On 5 September 1939 an Anson of No. 500 Squadron made the first RAF attack of the war on a German submarine. In June 1940, three Ansons attacked over the English Channel by nine Messerschmitt 109s succeeded in shooting down two and damaging another of the fighters. For most of its long service, however, the Anson was used in light transport and training roles and most RAF and Commonwealth navigators, wireless operators and air gunners trained on 'Annies'. The Anson officially retired from RAF service in June 1968.

« Last Edit: May 22^nd, 2005 at 11:10am by Hagar »

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Reply #4 - May 22^nd, 2005 at 9:27pm

Flying Trucker Ex Member

Wonderful Shots Doug...Thanks

Prior to my retirement from commercial flying with the same outfit for more years than I like to remember I recall around the 1970s we flew two Ansons. They were finally replaced and the aircraft were offered free to several museums and several other organizations as well.
There were not takers.
The aircraft were taken from the hangar and placed on the apron and sat there for a long time. Can't remember how long but it had to be several years anyways. We finally ran out of room and I vaguely remember the aircraft being pushed into the grass where they sat for a considerable length of time.
The engines were finally removed by who I don't know and the aircraft burnt...the remains taken to a dump site. This was cheaper than scrapping the aircraft.
Now years later people are thinking about restoring different types of aircraft that were so easily discarded.

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

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Reply #5 - May 23^rd, 2005 at 8:56am

Hagar Offline
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I've seen many aircraft scrapped over the years that would be worth a fortune now. You've got me interested in this paricular Anson. I can't find any details on the RCAF Museum website. Do you know which Mark it is?

Quote:

In 1940, a Canadian Government owned company, Federal Aircraft Limited, was created to manufacture the British designed Anson for Canadian use.
Nearly 3000 Ansons were produced at the Montreal plant.
The Canadian version of the Anson featured a substantially re-designed aircraft, with the substitution of powerful North American engines, and many other airframe and equipment changes.

Engines might have varied according to availability but from what I can make out the basic design of the early Canadian built versions was unchanged. These had a fabric-covered steel tubed fuselage & wooden wings. The Mk V was the one with a redesigned plywood fuselage which makes it unlikely that many survived. http://www.oldprops.f9.co.uk/props1/Anson.htm
Quote:

The type equipped Commonwealth Air Training Plan squadrons in Canada and production shifted there as the situation in Europe deteriorated. Production of this Mk II totalled 1,832, of which 50 were supplied to the USAAF as AT-20 crew trainers.

Mk IIIIs and IVs were British-built aircraft fitted out in Canada, and 223 were built.

The Mk V featured a moulded plywood fuselage, with rounded windows, and 1,050 served as navigation trainers.

Production then returned to Britain, with the Mk X featuring a strengthened cabin floor for freight use, and this type served as a crew ferry.

PS. Interesting note. The Anson was designed by Roy Chadwick who was later responsible for the Lancaster.

« Last Edit: May 23^rd, 2005 at 11:46am by Hagar »

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Reply #6 - May 23^rd, 2005 at 11:20am