Auster

I love Austers! My very first flight in one was at RAF Wroughton, near Swindon, Wilts. at an Open Day in September 1960. It was pouring with rain and I was terrified at the time, but I wish I knew what the reg was? The aircraft was silver overall I believe. Can anyone help?

G’day all

I used to bag Austers and now have two. A J5B and a J5 – the shame of it, I had another J5 but gave it to my son, three was too many.

I have hundreds of hours flying Tigers and I think in the air the Auster handles slightly better (alas without the Tiger view).

cheers

cheers
Ross

Andre…..keep searching mate I am sure something will turn up. I aways have my eye out for you!

David, she is at Rangiora Airfield (just north of our shakey Christchurch…actually had another mild shake this morning!) here in New Zealand

Cheers
Anthony

Where is the rebuild taking place Antony?

Anthony,

nice pictures of your WE552!

Wish we had similiar for our VF608.

André

Aaah yes the Auster

Some say slow, some say noisy. This may be true, but they have bags of character without doubt!

I am rebuilding an ex RAF/RHKAAF T7 WE552 to fly and what strikes me most of all, is all the old boys that used to fly my plane whilst in service (up until 1971 when she was SOC) have huge affection for her and Austers in general. They have some funny stories flying my particular plane and I have even been given the original pilots notes from one of her regular pilots (sadly passed away now).

These old girls wether military like mine or civil have some amazing history attached to them.

Here is mine on arrival at Kai Tak in Hong Kong

Later on with Dayglo panels etc

And today having a ground up rebuild to stock military config

Keep your Auster stories coming……lovin it!

Cheers
Anthony

Bags of character, pugnacious, workmanlike, even ‘British’, all come to mind. Some great posts and photos. Thanks to all, very enjoyable reading.

One of the nice things I like about Austers is that there are so many variants, both civil and military. One of the not-so-nice things about them is the Beagle Airedale!

I suspect that some of the negativity regarding Austers at Waddington is that many of those who go are there for the fast jets – unless it is painted grey and has a pointy front end and flames coming out of the back they’re not really interested.

Nice-looking T7 Mark! 🙂

Lets start with a picture!!!

So, to answer the question… My love of Austers started once I’d got my PPL and was looking to convince my father and friend that owning an aircraft was the way to go… But our brief was strict… Had had to be affordable… And it had to be ex military! What else is there other than the Auster?!!! No, of course there are other options, but after Richard Webber and the late Al Mathie took my friend and I in an Auster we were hooked!

They really are great aircraft. They can get in and out of anywhere, are simple to maintain yet need some skill to fly nicely – And a bit more skill to land nicely!

They’re also very affordable compared to other aircraft out there.

They’re not everyones cup of tea… Too slow for many… too old for many… But I love that these simple little aircraft played a major part in the war. I think the pilots who flew them were extremely brave.

I said on one of the other threads, about the negative response to me taking the Aircraft to shows such as Waddington, but I’m always amazed at the response we get when we’re there… So many people had their first flight in an Auster (Normally from Skegness!) – And they love to come and tell us about it!!!

I’m privileged that 927 lives at RAF Scampton.. Home of the Red Arrows – Another photo? OK!!!!

I do wonder how many civilian Austers would have been sold post-war in the UK and Australia if the government had not effectively stifled competition by imposing punitive import taxes on aircraft from the US. Especially at $4 to the £

‘Auster’s…? They are Cubs that have been ********!”

Or as a friend of mine in the US describes Austers “A Taylorcraft built in an anvil factory!”

Seafuryfan

‘Your’ Auster was almost certainly G-APAF, which was Mike Macey’s replacement for G-ANHR, coming to the end of his period of ownership at the time.

He did all the pleasure flying in his Austers, so yes he would have been the pilot, although as aa says he is now carrying out circuits at a much higher level.

The first aircraft is still current in military camouflage and when I last heard NHR was in the roof of a hangar up north, at Hibaldstow I believe.

Wicked Willip :diablo:

I have a soft spot for the Auster. First flight circa 1947, a pal and I stumped up ten bob (50p in todays tin money) for a trip to Folkestone and back, piloted by one of the Few, Wing Commander Hugh Kennard. He even let me hold the stick, although I don’t think his hand was far away !

I recall G-APAF TW511 during its days with Jack Allen at Skegness Aerodrome.

Has anyone got the book written yet on The Auster and Seaside Pleasure Flights.?? “Look Dad it’s got zip fasteners”.

Clive.

Thanks, chaps, for the information and thoughts – very interesting. Might Mike have flown me from Shoreham then? Is he well known in Auster circles?

The answer to your first question is in the affirmative. As to the second, the answer is possibly – although it would have to be phrased in the past tense because for some time now his wings probably have been of a more heavenly nature!

I’m not sure that there are many who have actually maligned the Auster of recent times. However if comment has been made that, in the late fifties and certainly in the sixties, the Auster failed to keep up with the times, the trends and the demands of the market place, I feel that such comment is justified and not malign. But that was then and this is now. There is, and for some decades has been, a significant body of men and women dedicated to the marque and ensuring that a respectable number of the types continue to fly.

But if the Auster does have a problem, maybe it’s one of perception. A Cub is pretty whereas an Auster is, basically, a practical and workmanlike aeroplane. At least as an AOP, it was designed to do a job rather than to look pretty. Certainly it could not be called a ‘sexy’ aeroplane (except, perhaps, the J/2 Arrow), even by its most ardent admirers. Which is, perhaps,the reason why, even nowadays, many members of the general public wouldn’t give an Auster a second glance – whereas they might just do so with a Cub.

If one draws an analogy with classic cars, the Auster is more to the Jowett Jupiter than it is to the Jaguar XK120 and, in similar fashion, values reflect that fact. But as has already been said, that makes the Auster more accessible than the Cub to those who do not have bottomless pockets. But how attractive that makes it depends upon whether you look at it with buyer’s or seller’s eyes!

Thanks, chaps, for the information and thoughts – very interesting. Might Mike have flown me from Shoreham then? Is he well known in Auster circles?

The age old ‘cub is better’ arguement doesnt hold up to examination. The aircraft is weaker -corrosion proofing is virtually non existant and look around the countryside and you will find a trail of screws left behind by a Cub as it shed them in flight!
There are many different marks of Auster and the majority have a very strong following – from the historical point of view there are more Austers flying that saw combat than Spitfires. The aircraft is a classic and much maligned in this country for no reason.

‘Ah, the smell of vinyl in the morning’

(Apologies to Robert Duvall.) Austers give me mixed and guilty emotions….:p I have vivid and nostalgic memories of Austers at the long gone Wolverhampton Airport where an uncle flew them after he came out of the wartime RAF. The cold drafty hangars and windswept airfield made a stark contrast to the cosy cocoon of the Auster cockpit. To a small child, it felt, and very much smelt – like another uncles sidecar on his big old Norton… Not surprising I suppose, but even now, I can’t smell that old vinyl upholstery without getting those childhood flashbacks to those Austers rocking and creaking in the breeze…..:)
Unlike the many, slightly older British machines, which were almost entirely built from wood, the Auster used a lot of metal. Most of the wooden machines are long gone. Not only that, but unlike it’s Piper ancestors, the Austers tubular metal fuselage was unusually well treated against corrosion, by flame-metalisation I recall. This, and their cheapness to buy, is why so many have survived. It’s certainly not because they are a great a/c….. They got heavier, and used thirstier, more expensive to maintain engines. The world moved-on, and Auster didn’t. Someone said to me many years ago;- ‘Auster’s…? They are Cubs that have been ********!” A little cruel perhaps, but the Cub is a much better a/c, and values reflect this directly.
That having been said, for anyone wishing to run an old a/c, – and most Austers are essentially a 1930’s machine, – they are an inexpensive entry-level vintage a/c. Oh, – and they smell great…! 🙂

Take a look and take your choice!