Watch the World’s Only Flying WWII Avro Anson Mk I Come to Life at Omaka Aerodrome

A Rare Sight at Omaka

At Omaka Aerodrome in New Zealand, aviation fans once gathered to see a special plane — the Avro Anson Mk I — taxiing to the fuel pump under a clear blue sky. It was, for a time, the only original Mk I example still flying in the world, known by its serial number MH120.

The Anson was a British twin-engine aircraft first developed in the 1930s. During World War II, many served in roles such as training, coastal patrols, and communications. This particular Mk I became a star at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, where its presence added living history to air shows and museum displays.

Life, Flight, and Departure

For years, the Anson would perform taxi runs, take to the air during special events, and remind people that the past was not so distant. Its engines, twin booms, and vintage cockpit drew aviation lovers and historians alike. But after some time, it left New Zealand behind. The aircraft was sold and shipped to the Czech Republic, ending its regular appearances at Omaka.

Though it no longer lives in Omaka, its legacy remains. Videos and photos of it taxiing by the fuel pump still surface online, capturing that rare and striking moment when a WWII veteran aircraft came alive in modern times.

The Anson’s Place in History

The Avro Anson series, including the Mk I, was built by Avro in Britain and saw widespread use before, during, and after the war. The Mk I was among the early variants, deployed in training and reconnaissance roles. Few remain today, and even fewer are airworthy.

MH120 carried the distinction of being the only original Mk I flying for some years. Its presence at Omaka helped bring stories of WWII aviation to a public eager to connect with the machines that shaped history. It served as a bridge between eras — from metal and fabric in war to polished displays at peacetime airshows.

The aircraft’s departure to Europe may have ended its time in New Zealand skies, but its memory lingers at Omaka. Visitors who once witnessed its engine roar or saw it taxi past the fuel trucks still recall the sense of wonder it brought. The Anson Mk I, once tucked quietly in hangars, had earned a second life — at the heart of heritage aviation in New Zealand.

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