Avro Anson – Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft

During the bomb run, the bomb aimer would move to a prone position in the nose. A sliding panel in the floor allowed the bomb sight to be operated.

With a normal crew of three, the Avro Anson cockpit was fairly spacious. The pilot had solo controls and a Reid and Sigrist Mk I blind flying panel. A navigator/bomb aimer, with a plotting table and, instrument panel, sat behind-the pilot. The wireless operator/gunner sat at the rear of the cabin.

Power for the Mk I was provided by two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX engines within seven-lobed NACA cowlings.

Originally designed as a low-wing airliner, the Anson model aircraft had a welded steel tube fuselage covered  with fabric and wooden wings.

Defensive armament included a manually-operated Armstrong Whitworth turret fitted with a 7.7-mrn (.303 cal.) Lewis Mk 3A machine-gun and five drums of ammunition. When not in use, the gun barrel was lowered into a slot in the top of the fuselage.

The Anson Mk I had a Ned tail-wheel and retractable main undercarriage. The manually-operated main wheels, which required 164.5 turns of a handle to rise, were replaced by hydraulically -operated gear on later models.