Conlon, Sidney James (Sergeant)

The Avro Anson was known by a number of nicknames including "Faithful Annie" or "Flying Greenhouse". It was the first aircraft to be flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force to have a retractable undercarriage, which was a comparative novelty in 1936. In 1940, a Canadian government owned company, Federal Aircraft Limited, was created in Montreal to manufacture the Anson for Canadian use. Nearly 3,000 Anson aircraft were produced and, in the early days of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), the Anson was the standard trainer for many pilots, observers (navigators), wireless operators and bomb aimers. More than 20,000 aircrew received training on the Anson. In Canadian service, the aircraft was substantially re-designed with the substitution of North American engines and many other airframe and equipment changes.Harold Skaarup web pages

Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Avro Anson History

Avro Anson Construction

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Anson R3431

Anson Mk. I R3431

To Western Air Command on 19 September 1941, for use by No. 32 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC. Flew into the sea north-east of Salt Spring Island, BC on 17 December 1942, while searching for Anson N9560 of the same unit. Five fatalities, including Sgt. A.M. Bellotti, an American in the RCAF, but only two bodies recovered. Had 334:45 logged time when struck off.

1941-06-25 Taken on Strength Aircraft Repair 2019-08-20
1942-December-17 Accident: 32 Operational Training Unit Loc: Salt Spring Island British Columbia Names: Bastick | Bellotte | Bowler | Conlon | Maun
1943-02-02 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20