The only Avro Anson Mk.I flying anywhere in the world is based at Omaka on New Zealand’s South Island. Dr Andreas Zeitler talked to the owner about the history of the aircraft and its immaculate restoration.
Bill Reid’s Anson is one of only two flying examples today and the only original wartime variant. The restoration effort on the aircraft is a piece of engineering art. Sitting down in the aircraft with the good-humoured owner and pilot is a revealing experience. Plenty of details in the cramped cabin draw the passenger’s eyes. One starts to wonder if this Avro Anson is a flying museum and what parts of the equipment are actually working. “Pretty much everything!” is Bill’s short and simple answer. Even the lamp on the navigator’s table lights up, even though a not very bright bulb is installed. From under the seat he then gets out some replica life jackets, there are replica bombs in the bomb bays and, during flight, his hands are on original control handles. Admittedly, one panel containing the modern radio and transponder in the cockpit is not original, but Bill has constructed a cover with the fuel and oil system placard that was in this position – this is always at hand and put on when the a…
