Watch spectacular moment Leeds-built historic RAF aircraft returns to city for first time in over 80 years
Footage shows the MH120 Avro Anson arriving at Leeds Bradford Airport this morning, before she is scheduled to head to Breighton Airfield in Selby.
Spectacular footage shows the moment a historic RAF aircraft returned to Leeds for the first time in over 80 years today (Wednesday 24 June).
Blue Sky Live Aviation captured the incredible moment the MH120 Avro Anson arrived at Leeds Bradford Airport at around 11:15am. Patryk Korsak also captured brilliant footage (below) of the Anson’s landing.
The MH120, which was built in Leeds in 1943, will then head to Breighton Airfield, Selby, where she will remain until Friday 26 June.
The Real Aeroplane Club says the Anson will be conducting taxi runs on Thursday 25 June and that there may still be limited spaces available for those wanting to experience a taxi ride aboard the aircraft.
The club says: “The event is open to the public, and we warmly invite everyone, especially those with connections to Avro, to join us in celebrating this remarkable occasion. Please park responsibly and remain behind all fences and ropes at all times for your safety.”
The Bring ‘Annie’ Home project writes: “We aim to bring MH120 back to Yorkshire - the county where she was built - and reunite her with the families of the men and women who worked so proudly to create her, and giving aviation enthusiasts the opportunity to see this wonderful aircraft in person as “Gentle Annie” returns to Yorkshire for the first time in over 80 years. This is about remembrance, recognition, and restoring a powerful piece of shared heritage to the place it belongs.
“On the 24th June MH120 will be returning to her birthplace Yeadon (Leeds Bradford Airport) before flying to Breighton Airfield to celebrate her homecoming.
“MH120 represents the skill, dedication and sacrifice of a generation. By reconnecting her with the families of those who built her we honour their contribution to history and ensure their stories are remembered and celebrated.
“All proceeds from this event will be divided between three remarkable organisations dedicated to preserving and commemorating aviation history - RAF Station - Czechoslovakia, The Real Aeroplane Charitable Organisation and The Avro Heritage Trust.”
The RAF Museum writes: “The Avro Anson was slow, cold and noisy and is the most famous British aircrew trainer of all time. Used in huge numbers, ‘Faithful Annie’ is remembered with affection by most of Royal Air Force-trained multi-engined aircrew of World War Two.
“The Anson I began life in the mid-1930s as a coastal reconnaissance aircraft. Although an advanced design at the time, rapid improvements in aircraft performance meant that the Anson was hopelessly outclassed when war broke out in September 1939.
“A number of Coastal Command squadrons remained equipped with the type in the early months of the war and it was only three days after war broke out that an Anson made the first RAF attack on a German U-boat. Although still operational during 1940, providing patrols over the Channel and the Dunkirk evacuation, they were replaced as soon as more modern types became available.
“As its operational life drew to a close a new and much more important role opened up for the Anson. As war approached it had become clear to the RAF that it needed to rapidly expand its aircrew training programme. Schools were established in the United Kingdom and, under the Empire Air Training Scheme, in Canada, South Africa and Australia. These schools needed a multi-seat trainer and the Anson was seen as an ideal stop-gap until the Airspeed Oxford became available in large numbers. In the event the Anson remained in the training role throughout the war.”