 
Museum’s
Anson Restoration Project
The Finest Example - Our Anson
7135
The finest example of
wartime requirements being answered quickly and economically.
The finest example of
a twin engine, adaptable basic trainer, built with available materials.
The finest example of
a new aircraft being built by Nova Scotians that brought first rate work
ethic and craftsmanship of both men and women.
But most of all, the
very best example of a task begun and finished with excellence by a
group of volunteers that all brought skills, passion and perseverance to
a reconstruction project, that at first blush must have loomed daunting,
to say the least.
The Avro Anson
reconstruction crew, lead by Colin Ainsworth and his quiet steely
resolve, at no time retreated nor were diverted from the ultimate goal
which in the end resulted in presenting, to the Wing Commander, Col.
D.W. Joyce, a excellent example of an aircraft with great historical
significance.
 When the completed
aircraft, in its wartime yellow paint and marking, was displayed in 14
hangar at the recent Mess Dinner, everyone walking into the hangar and
seeing the beautiful old bird sitting front and centre, with special
lighting, and next to the Silver Dart Replica, it was a jaw dropping
experience and reminded everyone the significance of the Centennial of
Flight Celebrations.
Some of the pictures
displayed on this page show what a monumental task this was, and the
many hours of labour it took to achieve the end result. The project
started when the first bits and pieces arrive at the work shop behind
the GMAM. and later in June of 2007 moved to corner of 14 hangar then 10
hangar, thanks to the generous folks of the 14 AMS. and their CO Lt.
Col. Phil Garbutt. The extra space and availability of specialized
equipment and technical expertise found in 10 hangar played a large part
in the final push to complete the aircraft for the Mess Dinner.
On May 20, during Future
Flyer's Day, everyone was able to view the completed aircraft at the
presentation of the keys and Anson to the wing commander Col. Joyce.
Front and centre at this ceremony, were 12 of the proud folks whose
workmanship made this finished project possible. Article
continued below.
Anson 7135 Slide Show
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Anson 7135 MKII One of 340 built
in Amherst N.S.
Construction completed
December 1941- scrapped/retires August 1946.
Donated by the Alberta
Reynolds Museum 1999.
Rescued from a snowy field
in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, January 8 1999, and arrived in Greenwood, to much
fanfare on the 10 January 1999.
First meeting of 14
volunteers October 6 1999.
First article on
restoration in the Aurora and on the website, December 2003.
16,528 manpower hours, over
5 ½ years to complete the project.
In the years it took to
bring this project to fruition, these are the folks that got it done:
Colin Ainsworth Project
Officer
Ernie Killen
Mike Dandurand
Keith Brenson
Peter Miller
Gerry Aucoin
Chuck Calder
Peter Campagna
Brain Handley
Butch Fleury
Al Sheppard
Special thanks to these
14 Wing Personal for their expertise:
MCpl Marc Lapointe
MCpl Dustin Colwell
MCpl Phil Weedon
For a complete Journal on
the project from start to finish written by Colin Ainsworth, go to the Anson
Project Library.
New
volunteers are always welcome at GMAM.
Rev. 05 Dec 2009
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