Auster AOP.9
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| Auster AOP9 | |
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| Type | observation aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Auster Aircraft Limited |
| Introduced | 1955 |
| Primary users | Army Air Corps Royal Air Force, South African Air Force |
| Number built | 145 |
The Auster AOP9 was a British military air observation aircraft ("Air Observation Post") produced by Auster Aircraft Limited to replace the Auster AOP6.
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[edit] History
The Auster AOP9 was designed as a successor to the Auster AOP6, although having the same general appearance the AOP9 was a new design with a larger wing and engine. It had a 180 hp (134 kW) Blackburn Cirrus Bombardier engine, this gave the aircraft an improved take-off and landing performance over earlier AOP aircraft. It could operate from ploughed fields and muddy surfaces using low pressure tyres and strengthend undercarriage. The aircraft was also designed to be converted into a light transport with an interchangeable rear floor.
The prototype first flew 19 March 1954 and deliveries started to the Royal Air Force in February 1955. The aircraft were soon in operation in Malaya during Operation Firedog, with 656 Squadron flying 143,000 sorties. In September 1957 the Army Air Corps was formed and all the aircraft were transferred to Army control from the RAF. The Army started to gain an interest in operating helicopters and the AOP9 was not developed further.
[edit] Variants
- Auster AOP.9
- Main production version, 145 built.
- Auster AOP.11
- Three-seat STOL AOP prototype. The aircraft was not developed. Only one built.
- Auster 9M
- A number of army surplus aircraft were bought by Captain M. Somewton-Rayer in 1967. The aircraft were fitted with 180-hp (134-kW) Avco Lycoming O-360-A1D piston engines.
- Beagle A.11S (E.3)
- The Auster AOP.11 prototype was sold to a civil custom in 1971.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Military operators
[edit] Specifications (AOP9)
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 23 ft 8½ in (7.24 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft 5 in (11.10 m)
- Height: 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
- Wing area: 197.5 ft² (18.35 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,590 lb (721 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,330 lb (1057 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Blackburn Cirrus Bombardier 203 inline piston, 180 hp (134 kw)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 127 mph (204 km/h)
- Range: 242 miles (389 km)
- Service ceiling 19,500 ft (5945 m)
- Rate of climb: 930 ft/min (285 m/min)
[edit] References
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
- Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 10006 9.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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