In common with many others, I celebrate the landmark of the Chipmunk’s 60th anniversary this year. A type that has a special place in many people’s lives, particularly those of us who were ex Air Cadets, it deserves all the accolades being showered upon it.
However, another anniversary that has appeared to fall off most people’s radar, including our friends at Key Publishing (yes, I have contacted Steve Bridgewater about it), but yet in its own way is equally significant IMHO is the 60th anniversary this year of the beginning of production of the civilian Auster family, starting with G-AGTO (G-AGOH was the prototype J/1).
This under-stated and often overlooked aircraft was the mainstay of British light aircraft production for many years after the war, in excess of 3,800 being built (including the military versions) and was probably reponsible for the first flight of many in the pleasure flights operated at Skegness, Great Yarmouth et al. It served in many countries around the world (more than the Chippie?) carrying out many mundane tasks, yet rarely gets a mention in the aviation press. Can anyone tell me why this might be?
I’m sorry if this sounds little parochial, given my pseudo, but I really do think the Auster family deserves a wider press than it generally gets.
By: Arm Waver - 6th June 2006 at 10:28
There is indeed type snobbery with aviation.
Another significant(?) anniversary this year is the registration of the first PA.28 in the UK in 1961 (25th August to be exact IIRC)…
A type many owe their wings to… But no doubt will go unnoticed…
(Incidentally the very first is still here in the UK although re-registered G-LIZI)
By: Moggy C - 5th June 2006 at 23:31
Innovative use of the words ‘more importantly’ 😉 😉
Moggy
By: mswjr84 - 5th June 2006 at 20:30
More importantly, next year sees the 50th anniversary of the first Jackaroo flight.
By: scotavia - 5th June 2006 at 19:19
Austers
I have always liked Austers and thanks to a good friend I flew in his Mark 5D
GAOCR on several occasions before he sold it.
I researched the history of this aircraft and it turned out to have spent time with a Typhoon unit in Belgium indeed it was a tactical Auster ! of 2ATAF
bases include B67 Helmond.
Would be a co incidence if its the same as just mentioned by FTR PLt and if so I would really appreciate a photocopy of the relevant pages.
Serial NJ673 now flying in RAF camo , last known at Bagby.
By: FtrPlt - 5th June 2006 at 17:14
Austers
The wartime Taylorcraft Austers performed quite well in their assigned roles. I think their “snubbed” status largely comes from their origins as a modified civil design. 😎
While most of the MkV and earlier aircraft were assigned to AOP squadrons, there were a fair number assigned to RAF squadrons as general runabouts/hacks. My grandfathers logbook shows time flying the squadron Auster while assigned to a 2TAF Typhoon squadron.
I think the Auster and its US L-bird cousins lack the glamour associated with purpose-built military aircraft (though I would argue the wartime Austers were purpose built for their role).
As a footnote, the last air-to-air combat victory in WW2 was fought between a Piper L-4 and Fiesler Storch. Combat ended when the L-4 crew shot, and wounded, the Storch pilot. 🙂
By: Trinny - 5th June 2006 at 14:40
The Chippie is always referred to as a fine aircraft. When discussing the Auster, most will agree that it has “character”; a euphemism to cover some of its less-than-perfect handling characteristics.
The Auster is undoubtedly great, but not quite as great as the Chippie.
By: Auster Fan - 5th June 2006 at 13:56
Well it’s just an anniversary of production of a particular mark – if we celebrated those for every significant aircraft we’d be overwhelmed! The more significant ’60th’ dates have already passed for the Auster line, haven’t they?
No – it was the true civilian Auster first flown in 1946, as opposed to the pre-war Taylorcraft Pus C and D models. The point I am trying to make is that I simply think that the Auster generally is an overlooked species! You make a valid point though about previous dates being overlooked by the press generally though.
By: Auster Fan - 5th June 2006 at 13:48
Perhaps it is because it’s not as pretty as the Chipmunk?
🙂I do hope someone has a more practical answer than that.
I agree that the Chippie is indeed a fine looking aircraft (but aren’t most, if not all from the de Havilland stable?), but I think the Auster has a character all of its own…….
By: Moggy C - 5th June 2006 at 13:40
I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the ATC.
So many of us had our first flights in the Chipmunk, an RAF operated aircraft, whilst the only Austers in the military inventory belonged to the brown jobs (correct me if I am wrong)
Also there is quite a high wing / low wing snobbery around too. Most private pilots much prefer the PA28 series of low-wing four seaters to the Cessna high wingers.
Your post prompted me to check the UK register and there seems to be about fifty more Austers extant (about 170+) than Chipmunks.
Moggy
By: Chipmunk Carol - 5th June 2006 at 13:35
Perhaps it is because it’s not as pretty as the Chipmunk?
🙂
I do hope someone has a more practical answer than that.
Sign In
June 5, 2006 at 12:58 pm