Avro Anson Identity

Martin and Ross,

Thanks very much for that,

I suspected the airframe was VH-FIA as I had found a Moorabbin Air Museum display sign marked “VH-FIA” with the parts.

I have recently acquired the fuselage frame and other Anson remains from a film set and that fuselage ID is from the fuselage frame, while VH-FIA did go to South Australia it would seem its basic fuselage frame was not used in their restoration of EF954, despite perhaps many other parts being consumed into that project.

Interestingly these parts were acquired from the Navy at Nowra so since 1984 “FIA” has travelled from Victoria to South Australia, to New South Wales and back to Victoria, all long after it stopped flying, a round trip of @3000 Km (@1800 miles) not a bad effort from an aircraft grounded and derelict from the early 1960’s?

While these parts are joining the remains of EG426 and may others in my own ownership, the long term intention is donation to a Museum I am associated with, so it seems AW965 / VH-FIA might also be part homing pidgeon? and it may eventually return after departing nearly 25 years ago? smiles

Regards

Mark Pilkington

Hi Mark,

You are in luck

According to the Anson File by Ray Sturtivant.

The page on frame numbers

AW965..VH-FIA..R3/LW/105077

AW965 to RAAF 07/12/41

VH-FIA
Anson I c/n R3/LW 105077 ex AW965. Reg 16/08/54 to Flinders Island Airways Pty Ltd, Moorabbin, Vic. Regn cld 30/06/62 by order of DCA and took part that day in farewell Ansons flypast over Melbourne with VH-BSF and VH-FIC.

To Aust Aircraft Restoration Group, Moorabbin 1/63. Dismantled and stored. Fell into derelict condition in open storage. To South Aust Aviation Warbird Restoration Group, Clenelg by road 10/84 for restoration project (with spares from W2434 & EP954).

Regards
Ross

RAF AW965
RAAF
Flinders Island Airlines VH-FIA
http://www.adf-serials.com/gallery/Anson-AW965/EC_Anson_AW965
Moorabbin Air Museum
South Australian Historic Aviation Museum
The aircraft was used as a source of parts for the restoration of Anson EF954
http://www.cnapg.org/vw2828%20Avro%20Anson.htm

Martin

cheers

Another shot from the Halfpenny Green Airshow of 210883. I know the Spitfire is G-FIRE but what is the Anson? Is it WD413 now with the Air Atlantique Classic Flight? (You will have to excuse the quality, again taken with a 110 camera)

Yep. That’s the one.

At that time, it’s civil registration was G-BFIR.

Regards,

FC