Hi all,
I’m currently restoring a 1944 auster V AOP (S/n 1060 NJ673) which saw service in Normandy, Holland and Germany with initially 430 Sqn RCAF and then 247 Sqn RAF from January 1945 after being repaired after an accident at Eindhoven.
I’ve read through the Squadron Operations books at the PRO, but the only auster aircraft belonging to 430 Sqn disappears from the register in August 1944. I’m obviously very keen to try and gain the complete history of the aircraft but can anyone offer any leads on where to look for information or pictures of the Sqn’s and the 2nd TAF, i can only think that the aircraft may have been reissued on a temporary basis for a while in Normandy.
The aircraft also has the official modification for a carrier based deck arrestor hook which i can only presume dates from when 247 Sqn finished the war based in the Hamburg/ Lubbecke area as she was sold to the civilian market in 1950
Any help and guidance would be greatly appreciated.
By: AnthonyG - 14th January 2011 at 09:43
Hi there, just wondering how your Auster is coming along.
Quick question though, do you know what type/model No flare pistol was fitted to the Auster? I am wanting to put one back in my T7 rebuild.
Kind Regards
Anthony
By: austernj673 - 16th June 2008 at 11:09
Hi all, Thanks for the replies, the aircraft came fitted with the original post war auster modded glider tow hook which has now been removed, but just behind the rear lift handles is a pair of lugs for the arrestor hook which is totally independent of the glider attachment…….. I presume that a message pick up hook would be more logical but
i’ve not found any official source of the modification, were they actually fitted?
If it is a message hook then it would be nice to reinstall it as part of the restoration.
Thanks,
Tim.
By: Arabella-Cox - 16th June 2008 at 07:52
ALG/Repair work
That’s good to hear that OCR will be restored to its original state. I hope all goes well and that it is completed in time for the 65 anniversary.
I have sent you a PM relating to the history of your Auster.
By: scotavia - 15th June 2008 at 19:02
Did you know that at one stage ocr was a glider tug aircraft?
By: Deryck - 15th June 2008 at 18:55
Arrestor hook?
Was it an arrestor hook or a message pick-up hook?
By: austernj673 - 15th June 2008 at 16:52
Hi, Thanks for the help, the aircraft is currently in pieces but should hopefully be in the air for next year (Normandy 65th tour), the large rudder has now gone and replaced with the original smaller style mk5 fin and i’m just in the process of rebuilding a Lycoming 290-3 to reinstall. the old girl is in quite good shape and quite a straight foward restoration project, also reinstalling the flare pistol and original intrument panel, replacing the oval seat backs with the original low straight sided type with sutton harnesses, and reintroducing the correct wing mounted aerial wires so hopefully she will be as per her original spec.
Would be great to complete her history, the RAF museum have copies of her movement cards and the repair work cards from Eindhoven but as i mentioned the OB’s only deal with the Squadron Spits and Typhoons as you would expect and the only auster listed disappears from August 1944 from 430 Sqn.
Do you know if the individual Advanced Landing Grounds have their own OB’s as i think her only logical use would have been as an inter Squadron run about.
Also keen to find out why and where she was fitted with a desk arrestor hook.
Thanks guys…..
P.S Always looking for auster 5 parts and spares
By: scotavia - 15th June 2008 at 14:57
GAOCR NJ673
I provided the service history from the form 78 when a friend of mine Jerry Edis owned this Auster, we had some great adventures including getting stuck overnight at Cliff Bakers strip when the wind shifted.
Some of the 2 ATAF bases used by the Austers were featured in an issue of After the Battle which I shall have a look for .
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th May 2008 at 04:28
430 Squadron from May 1943 operated at some time or other 4 different AOP Is, an AOP III and well as a second AOP V. The latter was NJ670 which was officially allocated to 430 Squadron for about 10 days in September 1944. Apart from the AOP Squadrons very few ORBs appear to identify Austers by their serial.
It appears also that units would share “hack” aircraft when based on the same airfield.
Last time I saw your aeroplane it was a Mk. 5D in camo. Will you be installing a Lycoming O-290, replacing the horn balanced rudder and removing the tow-hook?
It has led a charmed life – only two minor incidents during its wartime service and two reported in civilian life.
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May 26, 2008 at 10:11 am