Country of origin:

Australia

Description:

Single-seat replica fighter

Power Plant:

One 336 kw (450 hp) Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah VII air-cooled radial engine

Specifications:

Armament:

Two non-operating replica 7.69 mm (0.303 in) machine guns

History:

Following the conclusion of World War II large numbers of ex-RAAF aircraft were sold from military bases in Australia as the aircraft were no longer required, most being scrapped for their metal value. Amongst these were Avro Ansons and Airspeed Oxford twin-engine trainers. Many of these aircraft were sold to local farmers to be used as chook pens, a source of nuts and bolts, and play things for use by local children. These aircraft were made available for low cost from RAAF bases such as Mallala and Port Pirie, SA etc and the aircraft were dismantled and towed to local farms.

Amongst these was Avro Anson W1941 removed from RAAF Port Pirie and towed by Arthur Sawley of Bute, SA, to the farm of Bevan Heinrich of Alford. Mr Sawley had purchased six Ansons for his own use and was able to remove them by towing them behind a vehicle. This machine (W1941) was later acquired by Mr Leonard Betterman of Kadina, SA and was moved to his property at Kadina. Mr Leonard Betterman had spent the war time years maintaining Supermarine Spitfires when he served in the RAAF. He also at some stage built a mockup replica of a Supermarine Spitfire but nothing further is known about this machine. He then cut up the Anson’s tubular fuselage frame and built a replica single-seat low-wing monoplane fighter for his children to play with. He also acquired parts from other Ansons (DJ173 and MG873) for the project, as well as the wooden outer wing-panels from an Oxford (AS378).

This replica (which was never intended to fly) was fitted with an Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engine fitted with a ‘helmet’ engine cowling removed from an Anson. In 1966 it was noted the Avro Anson W1941 had been reduced to scrap and what was left was standing on its wheels, the latter appearing to have come from a motor vehicle.

Some years later the ‘mockup’ aircraft was obtained by the Newton Aircraft Co in South Australia and it became known as the Newton Aircraft Emu. It faintly resembled a CAC Boomerang, and initially was painted silver overall with pre-war RAAF markings and the squadron code LN-B. Later it was painted khaki with a white tail and still carried the squadron code letters on the fuselage of LN-B and RAAF Pacific Theatre markings, the roundels now being blue and white rather than the red white and blue previously applied. It is said he owned the aircraft and it was ‘restored’ by No 92 Wing RAAF for a museum, the machine being donated to the Kadina Vietnam Veterans Museum. Other reports state that during its life it had been used as an instructional airframe but this would appear to be incorrect having regard to the original purpose for which it was built. It was restored and placed outside the Returned & Services League of Australia Club at Kadina, SA in 2005 on the Kadina – Wallaroo road.