Hannants’ own decal brand has released three new sheets with Airfix’s new-tool Avro Anson Mk.I in mind…
If the thought of building Airfix’s new and superbly detailed Avro Anson couldn’t be resisted – and you have the kit waiting to be built – you may want to hold off until learning more about the new and inspiring markings from Xtradecal.
Three packs have been issued (two sheets per set)and there’s a riot of colour throughout via 18 different airframes operated by the RAF and export users. Several of the aircraft, though, would be better replicated by using Classic Airframes' 1/48 Anson if you can find it due to its earlier structural format, with longer wooden ailerons and the lack of flaps.
The first instalment is Avro Anson Mk.I Collection Pt1 (X48231), which centres on RAF/Commonwealth liveries and they are:
• Mk.I, W2531, 8 Service Flying Training School, Royal Canadian Air Force, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, September 1941 (Trainer Yellow with Night black diagonal stripes)
• Mk.I, N9742/MW-Y, 321 (Dutch) Squadron RAF, St Eval, Cornwall, UK, 1940 (Dark Green/Dark Earth/Sky Type S)
• Mk.I, W2531/J3, 31 Air Navigation School, Royal Canadian Air Force, Port Albert, Ontario, Canada, 1941 (overall Trainer Yellow)
• Mk.I, N9561, 9 Flying Training School RAF, Hullavington, Wiltshire, UK, 1939-40 (Dark Green/Dark Earth/Trainer Yellow)
• GR Mk.I (early), K6189/VX-R, 206 Squadron RAF, Bircham Newton, Norfolk, UK, 1939 (Dark Green/Dark Earth/painted aluminium)
• Mk.I, NZ418/V, School of General Reconnaissance, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Omaka, New Zealand, 1943-44 (Dark Green/Ocean Grey/Sky Blue)
See a full build of Airfix's 1/48 new-tool Avro Anson
The next – and you’ve guessed it – is Avro Anson Mk.I Collection Pt2 (X48232) and this too features RAF/Commonwealth airframes:
• Mk.I (early), K6163, RAF Central Flying School, Uphaven, Wiltshire, UK, 1937 (overall painted aluminium)
• GR Mk.I (early), K6321/269/Y, 269 Squadron RAF, Abbotsinch, Scotland, UK, 1938 (overall painted aluminium)
• Mk.I (early), A4-21, 22 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force, Richmond, New South Wales, Australia, 1938-39 (overall painted aluminium)
• Mk.I (early), A4-27/27, 4 Service Flying Training School, Royal Australian Air Force, Geraldton, Western Australia, 1941 (painted aluminium, Trainer Yellow fuselage band)
• W2034, Royal Australian Air Force, 1943 (Dark Earth/Foliage Green/white/red, with red cross symbols)
• Mk.I, W2090/6453, 1 Air Observer School, Royal Canadian Air Force, Malton, Ontario, Canada, June 1941 (Dark Earth/Dark Green/Trainer Yellow)
More variety and Anson exotica is delivered by Avro Anson Mk.I Collection Pt3 (X48233), with all six schemes being employed by overseas operators:
• Mk.I (early), 20, 1 reconnaissance & Medium Bombing Squadron, Irish Air Corps, Ireland, 1937 (light green/painted aluminium)
• MK.I (early), 158, 3rd Air Division, Estonian Air Force, Tallinn, Estonia, 1936 (painted aluminium)
• Mk.I, AN-102, Le.Lv.48, Finnish Air Force, Finland, 1942 (dark green/ painted aluminium, yellow fuselage band)
• Mk.I, N-56, Royal Hellenic Air Force, North Africa, 1941 (Dark Earth/Dark Green/Night black)
• Mk.I (early), 1134/C2, South African Air Force, 1939-40 (overall painted aluminium)
• Mk.I, Hava Mustesarligi Air School, Turkish Air Force, Eskişehir, Turkey, 1940 (dark green/pale blue
So there you have it… an absolute wealth of markings for very pretty Ansons stationed around the world. Xtradecal's printing is superb, with rich colouring and thin, gloss carrier film. The only problem will be that building one Airfix Anson won’t be enough due to the variety and attractiveness of the liveries. Each pack costs £9.99 (brilliant value considering the rise in paper/print costs) and all are available via Hannants.
