Hi all, I've just sneaked in from the Armorama site,and was wondering if anyone could offer some information, I remember my dad mentioning an Avro Anson fitted with a downward firing oerlikan gun,it is such a long time ago and I may be confused, but it stuck in my mind, I have searched the net but could find nothing to confirm, I would welcome any info, many thanks.

I took a look around and found the following page
https://survincity.com/2015/11/avro-anson-gunships/
It is about 500 sq based at Detling, and mentions cannon armed Ansons near the very end. Didn't see much else, but I hope this helps you a little. Regards.

Yep 500 County of Kent Squadron assigned to Coastal Command based at Detling in Kent. They fitted some 20mm cannon in an oblique down ward firing position, this was designed to be used against S-boats, I've never been able to find any pictures of the field mod mounting, also note that some of their Ansons also had a waist mounted .303 that could fire out of either side through a window aperture.

Famously one of their Ansons downed (from memory) two Bf-109's in one combat, one with the turret and the other with the forward firing .303.

Thank you David, an interesting read and confirmation, my dad was based on an airfield on the Wirral across the river Mersey from Liverpool.

Thank you Littorio, I knew I would find some answer's on here, I mentioned what my dad had told me to the grandad of a friend and he basically said I was talking rubbish, so thanks again.