Anson Mk.I Flight Easter 2019

[ErrolC]

Last Easter I took up the opportunity for a paid Adventure Aviation Part 115 flight in the wonderful Avro Anson Mk.1 MH120 ZK-RRA at Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow, Omaka NZ. Finally my photos!

Climbing Over Vineyards by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Avro 652 Anson Mk. I (Serial No. MH120), painted as (Serial No. K6183), BV-X, Reg. No. Z. Airworthy. Bill and Robyn Reid, Nelson. MH120 is the only remaining airworthy Avro Anson Mk. 1 from the Second World War. The twin-engine aircraft were used as coastal reconnaissance bombers performing anti-submarine patrols, convoy protection and crew training duties. Around eleven thousand were produced between 1935 and 1952. MH120 was manufactured at the Avro factory in Yeadon, England in the fourth production
of Anson MKI’s in 1943. MH-120 was shipped to Australia to the Royal Australian Air Force, then operated post-war in Australia as a passenger and freight hauler. Various modifications postwar included the mandated replacement of wooden wings and tail plane with later all-metal versions. Once in New Zealand it was restored to its former military configuration. The turret and military equipment have been re-installed and the aircraft has been painted to represent a machine that flew with 206 Squadron of the Royal Air Force

Anson on the Flightline by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

She looks great! Bill took the three of us through the safety briefing - no photos of course, as I was paying attention! The aircraft has many possible exit points, Bill speculates that this was to reassure RAF decision-makers in the 1930s who were used to open cockpits!

The cabin certainly has a very 1930s feel to it.

Anson Warning by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Anson Wireless Op Station by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Anson Flame Floats by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Anson Cabin by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

I was in the right seat (not operating anything - fortunately one of the postwar mods removed the need to hand-crank the undercarriage), while the other two passengers were in the W/Op and Navigation positions. Sadly I didn't get to crawl down and check out the bombsight!

Cockpit and Observer Station by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Anson - wind the watch! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Anson Flares by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Anson Light and Bomb Switches by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Anson Venturi Tube by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Bill Reid doing pre-takeoff checklist by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

And if you want to hear and see Bill going through most of the pre-flight, click through.
Anson startup checklist by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

I'll continue tomorrow.

[Michel Lemieux]

You lucky ba$$#%@%&?rd...

Congratulations! and thank you for the pics of this amazing restoration!!!!!

I posted a link to this amazing video a while back: https://www.facebook.com/ClassicWingsMagazine/videos/2039153356133354/

Questions.

- Is it true that you actually see the wing fabric flutter in flight? Or have they used a modern material?
- By curiosity if you do not mind sharing. What was the bumper sticker price and how long did it last?

Cheers!

EDIT______________________

Seems the wings it seems are metalized vs. the Canadian yellow trainner versions.

[ErrolC]

You lucky ba$$#%@%&?rd...
...
Questions.

- Is it true that you actually see the wing fabric flutter in flight? Or have they used a modern material?
- By curiosity if you do not mind sharing. What was the bumper sticker price and how long did it last?

Cheers!

EDIT______________________

Seems the wings it seems are metalized vs. the Canadian yellow trainner versions.

Yes, they replaced the wooden wings with later mod ex-RAF stock when it was in civil use in Australia.

From memory it was NZD1500 (~USD910 currently) per seat. The airshow meant they could fill each flight, not sure what the arrangement is in more normal times. I think we were promised 20 minutes, which was somewhat extended by needing to work around airshow acts practicing (flight was on the Friday practice day).
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Avro-Anson- ... 818/about/
Other NZ alternatives Yak-3M FUll Noise also at Omaka and the Ardmore-based Warbird Adventure Rides
https://fighterflights.co.nz/warbird-flight-options/
http://www.warbird.co.nz/flight-experience.html

[ErrolC]

Plenty of sights from unusual angles for an airshow attendee. This was late morning on Good Friday, so most airshow aircraft are in attendance, but limited crowd.

B.E.2e-1 going out by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Bristol takeoff by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Waiting for traffic by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Bigger Radials by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

See the Show by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Bill guiding her around by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

The view out of an Anson is great, and Marlborough is pretty!

Vineyard on the bay by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Patrolling White Cliffs with Anson by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Mountains through the roof by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Coast by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

[Michel Lemieux]

Thank you Errol!

That one is simply stunning....

[Marauderman26]

I envy you Sir,
Magnificent restoration, the attention to detail is first rate.

The photos of the interior (hopefully there will be more tomorrow)clearly show the dedication and research that went into this project.

Was it not the intent to sell the aircraft after a few years? I may be wrong on that memory.

Looking forward to tomorrows edition!

Cheers,

[ErrolC]

Reflective by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

All good things must come to an end, despite the sterling efforts of the Yak-52s practicing over the field in order to keep us stooging about.

Yak-52 Team practice by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Anson Fuel Cocks by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Over the hills by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

On Base Leg by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Finals by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Me with the old girl - gorgeous! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Gentle Annie by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Drawing Away by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Thanks again to all involved. More photos at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/errolgc/a ... 4317767218

[ErrolC]

I envy you Sir,
Magnificent restoration, the attention to detail is first rate.

The photos of the interior (hopefully there will be more tomorrow)clearly show the dedication and research that went into this project.

Was it not the intent to sell the aircraft after a few years? I may be wrong on that memory.

Looking forward to tomorrows edition!

Thanks all.

No intent to sell as far as I am aware, this was Glen Powell's general plan at one stage for his Mosquito, sadly still unfinished. It has been said that if Bill were to restore Hudson NZ2049 (acquired from John Smith some years ago, and currently displayed 'as found' in Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre) he would need to sell MH120 to fund it.

Hidden Hudson by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

[LysanderUK]

Thanks for sharing the experience Errol, some fantastic pictures. I had no idea you could buy rides in the Anson, there's another thing going on my bucket list...

Did you have to pay extra for the front seat?

[ErrolC]

Thanks for sharing the experience Errol, some fantastic pictures. I had no idea you could buy rides in the Anson, there's another thing going on my bucket list...

Did you have to pay extra for the front seat?

I didn't, I don't know if that is still the policy. I would have liked more time to look at the rest of the cabin, things might be different now, or when you take a ride not at the show. I think the Easter 2019 rides were the first time they had done them.

[Brenden S]

What a fantastic trip there Errol.