AVRO ANSON AIR MINISTRY 5D/551 LANDING LIGHT 'BELL' TOGGLE SWITCH

One of the more unusual, if not incongruous cockpit instruments installed in the wooden-winged and steel tubed fuselage of the Avro Anson was the toggle switch for the aircraft's inner and outer wing-mounted landing lights.

With its ceramic base and brass 'bell-shaped' cover, the Anson's Air Ministry stamped 5D/551 Landing Light Toggle Switch sat directly in front of the aircraft's throttle controls.

Compared with the more streamlined bakelite or cast aluminium cockpit controls of many contemporary RAF aircraft, the Anson's Landing Light Switch had a distinctly domestic look about it - something more likely found in the hallway of Grandma's cottage than in a twin-engined Coastal Command submarine chaser.

Also installed in the early Handley Page Halifax bomber and Hawker Hurricane, the Air Ministry 'Bell' Switch had a ceramic base with the Air Ministry Crown cast into its undersides and the AM & Crown with its 5D/551 part number stamped around its edge. 

The brass 'Bell' screws onto the all-brass rocker switch housed beneath with the pimple ended toggle switch protruding through the centre. 

This is an extremely rare Avro Anson artefact and combined with a highly detailed scale model of the Avro Anson atop its Mango Wood Display Stand and accompanying Fact Sheet, would make a fantastic gift for any budding aviator, aviation enthusiast or experienced pilot!

This Avro Anson Instrument comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of instrument in aircraft cockpit.

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