Auster

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For the Roman god of the south wind, see Anemoi. For the American writer, see Paul Auster or Lawrence Auster.

Auster Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer from 1938 to 1962.

Auster J-1 Autocrat f 1946
Auster J-1 Autocrat f 1946
Auster J-5F Aiglet Trainer of 1953
Auster J-5F Aiglet Trainer of 1953
Beagle A.61 Terrier of 1962
Beagle A.61 Terrier of 1962

Contents

[edit] History

The company began in 1938 at the Britannia Works, Thurmaston near Leicester, England, as Taylorcraft Aeroplanes (England) Limited, making light observation aircraft designed by the Taylorcraft Aircraft Corporation of America. 1,604 high-wing Taylorcraft Auster monoplanes were built during World War II for the armed forces of the UK and Canada.

The name change to Auster occurred on 7 March 1946, when production shifted to Rearsby aerodrome, also in Leicestershire. All designs were evolved from the early Taylorcraft with a sprung skid or tailwheel beneath the fin (except for a low-wing aircraft called the "Agricola" designed for crop-spraying; only two of these were completed). When the company was merged into Beagle Aircraft in 1960 the high-wing design was developed still further as the Terrier and, with a nosewheel, the Airedale.

The Auster name was dropped in 1968.

[edit] Aircraft

  • Taylorcraft Plus C - licence-built Taylorcraft B
  • Taylorcraft Plus D - re-engined Plus C.
  • Model D/1 - Auster I - military version of Plus C with enlared windows.
  • Model E - Auster III - re-engined Auster I with split flaps.
  • Model F - Auster II - re-engined Auster I.
  • Model G - Auster IV - enlarged version of Auster III.
  • Model H - Experimental tandem two-seat training glider converted from Taylorcraft B.
  • Model J - Auster V - Auster IV with blind-flying instruments.
  • J-1 Autocrat - Three-seat high-winged monoplane light aircraft (fitted with Blackburn Cirrus Minor II engine)
    • Auster J-1A Autocrat - Four-seat version of Autocrat
    • Auster J-1B Aiglet - Re-engined agricultural version of Autocraft (De Havilland Gipsy Major engine)
    • Auster J-1N Alpha - Re-engined four-seat Autocrat (De Havilland Gipsy Major engine)
    • Auster J-1S Autocrat
  • J-1U Workmaster - Agricultural version of the Alpha
  • J-2 Arrow
  • J-3 Atom - low-powered version of Arrow with Continental engine
  • J-4 - Arrow with Blackburn Cirrus Minor I engine
  • J-5 Autocar
    • Auster J-5B Autocar - Four-seat high-winged monoplane light aircraft
    • Auster J-5E Autocar
    • Auster J-5G Autocar
    • Auster J-5P Autocar
    • Auster J-5V Autocar
  • J-5 Aiglet Trainer - aerobatic version of the Autocar
    • Auster J-5F Aiglet Trainer
    • Auster J-5K Aiglet Trainer
    • Auster J-5L Aiglet Trainer
    • Auster J-8L Aiglet Trainer
  • J-5 Alpine - Improved Aiglet Trainer
    • Auster J-5R Alpine
    • Auster J-5Q Alpine
  • Model K - Auster AOP6 - Post-war military Air Observation aircraft.
  • Model L - Proposed low-wing monoplane, not built.
  • Model M - Auster A2/45 - 2 or 3-seat high-wing AOP aircraft, prototype only.
  • Model N - Auster A2/45 - Re-engined Model M, prototype only.
  • Model P - Auster Avis - four-seater based on J/1 with slimmer fuselage, two built.
  • Model Q - Auster T7 - two-seat trainer version of AOP6.
  • Model S - AOP aircraft based on AOP6 with enlarged tail, prototype only.
  • Model A7 - Light twin project, not built.
  • Model B1 - Mid-wing AOP project, not built.
  • Model B3 - radio-controlled target drone.
  • Model B4 - Auster B4 - Four-seat high-winged ambulance aircraft
  • Model B5 - Auster AOP9 - 1950s military Air Observation aircraft
  • Model B6 - low-wing agricultural project, not built.
  • Model B8 - Auster B8 Agricola - Low-winged agricultural aircraft
  • Model B9 - Ramjet helicopter project, not built
  • Model C4 - Auster Antarctic - Modified Auster T7 for Antarctic support.
  • Model C6 - Auster Atlantic - four-seat high-wing touring monoplane with tricycle undercarriage, one built.
  • Model D4 - Auster D4 - two-seat development of the Auster Arrow.
  • Model D5 - Beagle Husky - re-engined version of Auster Alpha with modified tail
  • Model D6 - Auster D6 - four-seat development of Auster Autocar
  • Model D8 - Original designation of Beagle Airedale.
  • Model E8 - AOP9 with modified engines as the AOP11.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918-1988 James J.Halley. London: Air-Britain, 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Canada's Flying Gunners Lt.-Col. D.L. Fromow (Ottawa: Air O.P. Pilot's Association, 2002);
  • Battle History 666 (Calgary: Abel Book Company, 2006)
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