A.N.E.C. Production

For a description of the format and data included in Production Tables, see here.

ANEC Produced Types

Notes

1. There is much unverified about the history of the three ANEC Is, particularly which aircraft acquired which Australian identity and even which aircraft was tested at Martlesham Down. This author believes the following to be close to the truth.

   G-EBHR first registered on 29 August 1923 as an "A.N.E.C. Single Seater Sporting Monoplane" to Hubert Blundell, Cheapside, Luton, Bedfordshire. (C of R 1022). Took part in "Daily Mail" Lympne trials of September 1923, with Competition No. 18, piloted by Maurice Piercy. The aircraft was substantially damaged on 18 August 1924 when it hit a tree and crashed, near Houghton House, Ampthill, Bedfordshire. The pilot, Captain Bernard Arthur Smart DSO, was unused to the aircraft and took off without permission. The registration G-EBHR was cancelled next day. Chereau of ANEC declined to purchase the remains, but suggesting Hubert might like to have it rebuilt. It appears that the remains were purchased by G.A.V. Church, of Brisbane, Queensland, and J.G. ‘George’ Boehm (possibly Freiderich Gotthold Boehm) for entry in a low-powered light aeroplane competition to be held at Richmond, NSW in November 1924, where it was to be flown by pioneer airman, Horrie Miller. However, the aircraft, or its engine, was reportedly still held at the Brisbane wharf in early February 1925. It is reported to have arrived at Rockhampton by May 1925, and was registered on 5 May 1925 as G-AUET [5] (c/n 1), and is believed to have been test flown by Ron Adam on 11 January 1926, but not much is known about its further history. It was sold to Frank Sharpe (later Sir) but was rarely flown more than a metre above the ground due to the vibration of the controls. The registration lapsed on 4 May 1926, the aircraft being dismantled and was still in pieces on 27th September 1926.

   G-EBIL first registered on 21 November 1923 to Addlestone Aeronautical Association (C of R 1048). having taken part in "Daily Mail" Lympne trials of September 1923, with Competition No. 17, piloted by J.H. “Jimmy” James. Name changed to the Surrey Light Aeroplane Club Ltd. On 24 November. Flown on 7 August 1924 in the Tous de France Avionettes, Buc, Paris, as a “Blériot 102”, based on the Company’s French origins. To ANEC in August 1924 and fitted with an Anzani engine before being purchaced by the Air Ministry the same month under Contract 487255/24 and given serial J7506. To A&AEE Martlesham Heath for performance trials. Returned to ANEC in April 1925 and reverted to G-EBIL. Modified into the ANEC IA with shorter wingspan and retaining the Anzani engine, being re-flown in July. Accounts differ as to whether the Anzani engine was fitted before or after its time with the RAF, but photographs of J7506 show a different engine installation to that of the Tomtit powered G-EBHR. Registration cancelled 26 January 1926.

   G-AUEQ first registered on 16 October 1924 (U.K. C of A No. 858 issued on 25 January 1925) to Perth brewery owner A.G. Simpson who operated as Air Transport Ltd, Perth, Western Australia. Re-registered 28 May 1929 as VH-UEQ [6]. Simpson flew it out of Maylands Aerodrome in Perth, WA, until about 1932 when it was acquired by Clarrie Fitzgerald, a flying enthusiast from Goomalling, WA. Fitzgerald's plan was to fit the aircraft with floats and use it as a hydroplane on a nearby lake. Just how far he got with that project is not recorded, but the aircraft’s Tomtit* engine was later used in a Flying Flea when it was test flown at West Subiaco aerodrome in Perth in 1936.
   * The only known photograph of VH-UEQ shows an aircraft whose engine installation does not look like the Tomtit powered G-EBHR.

Production References

1. British Civil Aircraft Since 1919, Vol 1, A.J. Jackson (Putnam, 1973)
2. Ultralights - The Early British Classics, Richard Riding (Patrick Stevens Ltd., 1987)
3. Blériot in Britain 1899-1927, Ray Sanger (Air-Britain (Historians), 2008)
4. http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Talk:ANEC_I
5. National Archives of Australia: File A705, 35/6/699 “Registration and Airworthiness ANEC. G-AUET Church and Beohen (sic)”
6. National Archives of Australia: File MP113/1, VH/UEQ “Registration and Airworthiness ANEC 11 (sic) VH-UEQ A.G.Simpson”