Avro Anson Mk1
The Avro Anson Mk1, affectionately known as "Faithful Annie," was a British twin-engine aircraft that began its service life as a maritime reconnaissance platform but found its true calling as a multi-engine training aircraft during World War II. First introduced in 1936, the Anson was initially designed for coastal patrol and light transport duties, but its stable flying characteristics and spacious cabin made it an ideal platform for training aircrew members, particularly navigators, radio operators, and bombardiers. Despite its relatively modest performance, with two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX engines providing a maximum speed of around 188 mph, the Anson proved incredibly versatile and reliable, serving as a crucial training platform for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which prepared thousands of aircrew for wartime service. The aircraft's docile handling characteristics and forgiving nature helped it remain in RAF service until 1968, making it one of the longest-serving military aircraft of its era.
