Ansons of N0.217 Squadron on coastal reconnaissance, France 1940 (IWM neg C2118)

In 1939 RAF Coastal Command's standard reconnaissance aircraft was the Avro Anson. The Avro 652 monoplane airliner entered Imperial Airways service in 1934 and it was from this design that the long-serving Anson was derived.

The Anson entered RAF Coastal Command service in February 1936 on general reconnaissance duties and was the RAF's first monoplane and its first aircraft with a retractable undercarriage.

On 5 September 1939 an Anson of No. 500 Squadron made the first RAF attack of the war on a German submarine. In June 1940, three Ansons attacked over the English Channel by nine Messerschmitt 109s succeeded in shooting down two and damaging another of the fighters. For most of its long service, however, the Anson was used in light transport and training roles and most RAF and Commonwealth navigators, wireless operators and air gunners trained on 'Annies'. The Anson officially retired from RAF service in June 1968.