Second World War aircraft to be restored to former glory in Montrose

An iconic second world war aircraft is to be restored to its former glory in Montrose.

Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre has purchased an Avro Anson which will eventually be put on permanent display.

Heritage Centre chairman Ron Morris said it will take five or six years to restore the Anson C.Mk.19 which was purchased along with original parts from a plane enthusiast in Coventry.

© Paul Reid

The plane made the journey to Montrose on the back of a lorry and Mr Morris said it was part of a batch that was ordered by the RAF in January 1945.

“The Anson was one of the most successful aircraft built by Avro,” said Mr Morris.

“It first flew in 1935 and 11,020 were manufactured.

“We can account for 33 of them which are left in existence in museums and around the world.

“We acquired the aircraft and original parts from Glenn James who also has another Anson which he still flies.

“It’s a very exciting project and we are looking forward to starting the restoration work.”

Thanks to its rugged reliability throughout the second world war, the Avro Anson aircraft was affectionately nicknamed ‘Faithful Annie’.

The Anson first made its appearance at Montrose as a warplane and equipped No 269 Squadron, Coastal Command, which was based at Montrose at the outbreak of war in September 1939.

Ansons were soon on anti-submarine patrols over the North Sea.

It was on one of these patrols that the Anson, piloted by Flight Lieutenant “Tiny” Burrell, was in combat with a German Dornier flying boat.

Burrell was killed by a shot through the windscreen of the aircraft.

Tiny was a big man but his navigator, Sergeant W E Willits, managed to pull his body out of the pilot’s seat, regain control and fly the crippled aircraft 140 miles back to Montrose.

For his heroic action in saving the aircraft and its crew, Sergeant Willits was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal, the first of the Second World War, pinned on his tunic by His Majesty The King.

Dan Paton, curator of Montrose Air Station Heritage Trust, said: “Our approach at the Heritage Centre is different from that of most aviation museums.

“They collect and display aircraft, while we focus on the experience of the men and women who served here and seek to collect aircraft which have a historical connection with RFC/RAF Montrose.

“Ansons served at Montrose so they fit our collections policy but we will be looking for a personal story to attach to our Anson when it is restored.”

The last Anson to be built (WJ561) was delivered to the RAF in May 1952.