I have tracked done some information on the Agricola, but I am sure there are more photographs and information out there.
There is not a lot around on the internet on the Agricola, Wikipedia gives only a short summary:
“Constructed of fabric over corrosion proofed steel frame the design featured a large high lift low set monoplane wing, external control cables, fixed tail wheel undercarriage and a somewhat angular fuselage, with an aft cabin that could seat two passengers, a hopper over the centre of the wing which could hold 750 kg of superphosphate in the topdressing role, or 654 litres of spray as a crop duster. The pilot sat forward of the hopper over the wing leading edge, a position which gave a good field of view compared with the American practise of placing the pilot behind the hopper, though this view was somewhat restricted by the extensive canopy joinery and bulky rear decking. The Agricola’s handling was generally described favourably, particularly it’s slow speed performance and controls, while its rugged and simple construction allowed for easy maintenance and repair. The aircraft was utilitarian rather than attractive; one web site has short-listed the Agricola in a competition for the ugliest aircraft of all time[citation needed]. The type was first flown in 1955. It was out competed in its target market by the PAC Fletcher and attempts to sell the type for Aerial application work in Britain, Australia and Europe met with little success. Only 9 were made before production ceased. Of these ZK-BXO, is the sole survivor. Restored by John Stephenson of Whitianga, it was operated for many years by him as both historic aircraft and personal transport. BXO was sold to the UK in 2005.”
There was an initial batch of eight built at the Auster works in Rearsby. All were registered in New Zealand, but only six actually arrived there.
c/n B.101
First flown 8th December 1955 by test pilot Ranald Porteous as G-25-3
It’s allotted British makings of G-ANYG were not used, and it did fly in the UK as ZK-BMI (see clipping below). However, this aircraft never made it to NZ and was dismantled at Rearsby in 1959. It is reported that some parts from this airframe are now with Cliff Baker of Carr Farm, current owner of Agricola G-CBOA/ZK-BXO
c/n B.102
Was sent to the NZ Auster agents, Bristol Aeroplane Co. NZ Ltd., Wellington, for a demonstration tour as ZK-BMJ. Sold to Airlift (NZ) Ltd., Kilbirnie and registered to them in October 1956.
At Rongotai, probably with Airlift:
Parked on an airstrip, unknown location:
When this company folded in 1960, Claude Stephenson (their chief pilot) formed a new company, Associated Farmers Aerial Work Ltd. based at Martinborough and BMJ was registered to this new company in August 1960.
ZK-BMJ was hired to Air Contracts Ltd., Masterton later in 1960 until damaged in a crash 8th May 1961 (place?).
Associated Farmers rebuilt the aircraft:
and continued to operate it until it crashed on landing Wairongomai, near Otaki, 10Dec76.
ZK-BMJ at Masterton 30th June 1976. Colours noted at that time were red and white with green trim
c/n B.103
Followed a similar path, being sold through the Agents to Airlift (NZ) Ltd. as ZK-BMK from May 1957. Under their ownership, crashed into Waingawa River, after failed t/off at Hood, Masterton, 11May57.
ZK-BMK at Rongotai May 1957:
c/n B.104
Imported through the Agents as ZK-BML, went to Rangitikei Air Services Ltd. of Taihape in April 1957. Fitted out as a sprayer. Crashed & DBF near Taihape 22Jan59.
Note the built-in spray rig:
c/n B.105
Imported through the agents as ZK-BMM. Remained unsold, and stored at Blenheim (Woodbourne?) until sold to Associated Farmers Aerial Work in 1960. Hit HT wires & crashed Stoney Creek, Martinborough, 7Jun62, Pilot Claude Stevenson.
The aircraft was then rebuilt with parts from BMK BML and CCV and given a new registration of ZK-CCU 11 June 1965, the date of the first flight. It continued to operate under Associated Farmers ownership until it crashed on t/off from strip at Ohariu Valley, nth of Wellington, 13Feb77.
ZK-CCU operating off a very steep strip at Baring Head on the far side of Wellington Heads:
Resting at Masterton, date not recorded:
ZK-CCU at Hamilton in March 1968 for engine work. Colours were noted as yellow upper surfaces, orange lower surfaces and black registration
A few years later, at Martinborough June 1976
c/n B.106
Imported through the agents as ZK-BMN. Remained unsold, and stored at Blenheim (Woodbourne?) until sold to Air Contracts Ltd. in 1961 (replacement for ZK-BMJ?). Passed on to Associated Farmers and registered to them in October 1963. Crashed 5mls SE of Paraparaumu 11Mar65, out of fuel. Pilot M H Lacey.
Under Air Contracts ownership, location looks to be Masterton airfield:
c/n B.107 (later c/n B.118)
Allotted ZK-BMO, but the slow sales of BMM and BMN meant that this aircraft was retained in the UK and became G-APFZ with Aerial Agriculture Ltd. of Lasham with whom it flew about 300hrs. (ZK-BMO was reallocated to a Beaver). WFU Rearsby after CofA expiry 22Apr60. Rebuilt at Rearsby with a new c/n B118 and sold to Air Contracts Ltd., Masterton. First NZ flight at Masterton 8 October 1962 as ZK-CCV. Operated from Masterton until crashed Pongaroa, Masterton, and partially DBF 19Feb63. Pilot Barry Cook.
Operational on a farm strip, date and place unknown:
ZK-CCV at what is obviously Whenuapai (Auckland) in January 1963. Looks like it had some engine problems during its short life in New Zealand
c/n B.108
Allotted ZK-BMP but also remained unsold in the UK. Completed with c/n B.117 and went to British Guiana as VP-GAZ where it crashed 27 June 1959. The remains of this aircraft were then returned to the Auster factory. (ZK-BMP was reallocated to a Cessna 180).
c/n AIRP-680
Associated Farmers collected up the remains of ZK-BMN and other crashed aircraft and arranged for Temple Martin to build up another Agricola at Airepair Hastings from these remains. This was given the c/n AIRP-680 and registered to Associated Farmers Aerial Work Ltd. as ZK-BXO on 15th October 1966. This aircraft operated from Martinborough until WFU & stored early 1970s (at Martinborough?).
ZK-BXO operating off a strip at Makara:
ZK-BXO was restored to airworthy in the early 1980s and passed into the ownership of John Stephenson, a pharmacist, of Whirtianga. John operated ZK-BXO as a private aircraft still showing Associated Farmers signage until selling it to new ownership in the UK. She left NZ by ship 9Feb02, and became G-CBOA on 22 April 2002 owned by Cliff Baker, Carr Farm, Newark
ZK-BXO at Whitianga 2000
c/n AF-001R
There was a final sweep around of parts in 1970 and another Agricola was constructed at Martinborough. Allotted the registration ZK-DEU in March 1971 and operated by Associated Farmers Aerial Work Ltd., this aircraft did not last long, being destroyed in a fatal crash at Ruakokoputuna, Martinborough, 7.30am 2Dec71 @ 374hrs. Pilot Brian Court-Patience.
ZK-DEU at the Martinborough base
Not a thing of beauty, slow development, a lousy paint job and poor marketing of the end product doomed the Agricola project to eventual failure, but by all accounts they excelled at the job they were designed to do.
Hopefully, this thread will generate more information (and photographs) from those who were involved in or observed the Auster Agricola in action. In particular I am interested in any pics of B.101/ZK-BMI in UK/Europe, B.103/ZK-BMK at Farnborough SBAC show in 1956, and B.107/G-APFZ during its time with Crop Culture (Aerial) Ltd.
Also, does anyone have an update on the current state of ZK-BXO/G-CBOA?
(Acknowledgments to A J Jackson/British Civil Aircraft volumes for some info above).
By: flyernzl - 30th August 2013 at 07:24
Good to hear that, Stan.
At the risk of bending the thread, Christie’s Auster J-1B Aiglet ZK-AXE at Ardmore 28Jan1966
At that time, a one-owner-since-brand new aircraft in pristine condition.
I logged the colours as silver with red and blue trim.
It’d be good to see her back in the air – some day!
By: Stan Smith - 29th August 2013 at 00:46
Ref post #34. D0c Christie’s ZK-AXE, Auster J1B is also still alive (only just) and in my care with a longterm refurbishment in progress. Has a total of 728 hours on the clock, hardly run in for an Auster.
By: Consul - 28th August 2013 at 22:00
Was at the bear inn last night and ken’s old hanger is still in the back garden of the forge. Have got a few fond memories of going there with my late father several times in the early seventies, Does anyone know if he has now passed away?
He most certainly is still alive!
Tim
By: flyernzl - 28th August 2013 at 21:51
Thanks for that delticman.
Yes, looking carefully at the ZK-CCV photo, it does fit the topography of Te Kuiti International.
By: delticman - 28th August 2013 at 06:04
The shot of ZK-CCV at an unknown airstrip is actually Te Kuiti Airport, home of the Bennett/Waitomo Airtrucks.
The visits of the Agricolas to RNZAF Whenuapai were to TEAL who were into aircraft design, modification, repairs (and assembly of Fletcher FU-24’s). They did the design work and installation of the the Continental 260HP engines.
By: Mr Merry - 27th August 2013 at 18:43
I don’t have many fond memories of crop dusters, my job was to scrape the build up of chemicals off the belly and wings of a Pawnee weekly during the spray season. Not a nice job!
By: KERVYN - 27th August 2013 at 17:20
A recent photo in airliners.net ;http://www.airliners.net/photo/Auster-B-8-Agricola/2306517/L/&sid=271477a7d87e071f541adef196998e7b
friendly, Etienne
By: wolfheze - 27th August 2013 at 17:01
ken woolley
Well having seen Agricola G-CBOA fly in to Rearsby on August 25, 2013 it reminded me of when I last such an aircraft. It was at Ken Wooley’s the blacksmith shop and home at Berkswell in early 1973. He took me around his Wickner Wicko G-AFJB/DR613 and showed me his fuselage frame of VP-GAZ an Agricola. All these notes are from memory so excuse any typo’s due to fading memory…..so now a little confused by the apparent conflict with Mike Es notes above.
Phil Stevens
www.targeta.co.uk
Was at the bear inn last night and ken’s old hanger is still in the back garden of the forge. Have got a few fond memories of going there with my late father several times in the early seventies, Does anyone know if he has now passed away?
By: Stan Smith - 27th August 2013 at 04:23
Ref post #20. If memory serves, it was the Agricultural Air Show of 1956. I went there in Auster J5F ZK-BBU from Nelson and the new Percival EP9 was also in attendance. My mate Laurie Cooper and I were almost run over by the Civair DC3 ( ‘AUJ ???) when it over ran the runway and hit the back of a Madge bus after dropping a load of parachutists.AH!! Happy days from long ago.
By: TargetA - 26th August 2013 at 20:51
I Owned VP-GAZ from around 1969 ish until the late 1970’s sadly I do not know where she went to after that as a lot of stuff I had in storage was kindly sold on for me along with the Setty Murder Auster G-AGXT. I think TAC might have been the benificiary of both but understand that some confusion may have taken place and the they had a coupl eof frames and the srong frame with the wriong identity got swapped with something else if that makes sense.
Well having seen Agricola G-CBOA fly in to Rearsby on August 25, 2013 it reminded me of when I last such an aircraft. It was at Ken Wooley’s the blacksmith shop and home at Berkswell in early 1973. He took me around his Wickner Wicko G-AFJB/DR613 and showed me his fuselage frame of VP-GAZ an Agricola. All these notes are from memory so excuse any typo’s due to fading memory…..so now a little confused by the apparent conflict with Mike Es notes above.
Phil Stevens
www.targeta.co.uk
By: Arabella-Cox - 20th October 2011 at 19:11
VP-GAZ
After various searches and enquiries I am of the opinion that the photo posted on 16.10.11 does NOT show VP-GAZ.
The same photo appears in Flight dated 23.8.57 http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1957/1957%20-%201156.html?search=protruding
VP-GAZ did not take to the air until 1958.
Unfortunately the Auster Heritage Group site contains several errors so use it with caution.
By: Student Pilot - 16th October 2011 at 10:36
The folks in the eastern block countries build a pretty good copy with the Zlin 137
By: GrahamSimons - 16th October 2011 at 08:31
For what it’s worth, I published published Rearsby Recalled, and was still in touch with Les Leetham up until a short while ago – he lives/lived less that 2 straight miles from me. I seem to remember that there is a lot of Auster info in the Leicester County Archives.
By: flyernzl - 16th October 2011 at 08:05
Update:
I have now re-found the photo of VP-GAZ, c/n 117
It’s at the Auster Heritage Group website
http://austerhg.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=5322
The identity does not seem to be visible on the aircraft, but I guess it is the correct airframe. In that case, we now have a full set of Agricolae, after all these years.
VP-GAZ
(If you are, or know whoever is running, the Auster Heritage Group website, I’d like to make contact with them. My email has remained unanswered).
By: Firebex - 16th May 2011 at 10:56
The fuselage frame of an Agricola was donated to the Midland Aircraft Preservation Society (fore runner of Midland A.M.) about 1968 – haven’t got my records to hand – along with an AOP 9 fuselage. I’m pretty sure the frame was that of VP-GAZ.
A couple of years later the two frames were exchanged for some ‘slightly bent’ Tiger Moth wings (to be used in the restoration of Fox Moth G-ACCB) with the South Wales Historic Aircraft Preservation Society.
I’m not sure what happened to the two fuselages when SWHAPS closed down some years later.
I’ll see if I can find my photo’ of the two fuselages on a hired self-drive truck about to depart for South Wales.Roger Smith.
I Owned VP-GAZ from around 1969 ish until the late 1970’s sadly I do not know where she went to after that as a lot of stuff I had in storage was kindly sold on for me along with the Setty Murder Auster G-AGXT. I think TAC might have been the benificiary of both but understand that some confusion may have taken place and the they had a coupl eof frames and the srong frame with the wriong identity got swapped with something else if that makes sense.
By: flyernzl - 15th May 2011 at 11:00
Updates:
Add to c/n B.105:
Imported through the agents as ZK-BMM. Remained unsold, and stored at Blenheim (Woodbourne?) until sold to Associated Farmers Aerial Work in 1960. Hit HT wires & crashed Stoney Creek, Martinborough, 7Jun62, Pilot Claude Stevenson.
ZK-BMM early in its life at Rongotai
Engine out, at Masterton April 1961
Then continue with rebuild as ZK-CCU . . .
Add to c/n B.107:
Allotted ZK-BMO, but the slow sales of BMM and BMN meant that this aircraft was retained in the UK and became G-APFZ with Aerial Agriculture Ltd. of Lasham with whom it flew about 300hrs.
(ZK-BMO was reallocated to a Beaver).
WFU Rearsby after CofA expiry 22Apr60.
Then continue with rebuild at Rearsby . . .
Still looking for that elusive photo of c/n B.108 as VP-GAZ
By: Ian Quinn - 3rd July 2009 at 13:29
Great shots – thanks flyernzl…took many ‘Box Brownies’ of them at Rongotai when I was a kid but photos long gone…
Later on in life I find a good friend’s wife is the daughter of the designer…
By: flyernzl - 3rd July 2009 at 08:47
Good photos there WJ244.
Dr H Kendrick Christie of Wanganui owned an Autocrat and an Aiglet from 1947 to 1968 (ZK-AKZ and ZK-AXE, ZK-ALW was also booked but never delivered to him).
I don’t know of any relationship between him and Keith Christie, but there may have been. Keith’s brother Vic was also an aerial work pilot, and was killed in a Cessna 180/185 crash while involved in venison recovery work – possibly an activity that was even more hazardous to the health than aerial topdressing!
I’ll be away for a couple of weeks from now in the West Island, but keep your Agricola info and photos rolling in please.
By: WJ244 - 2nd July 2009 at 17:53
These may not be Auster promotional pictures as they don’t show a two tone colour scheme. Aopologies if you have already seen them elsewhere. The bottom one looks like a good candidate for the “How low can you go” thread
By: Arabella-Cox - 2nd July 2009 at 11:22
ZK-BMJ
The detail I have gives the time as 1645 hours and that ‘BMJ failed to attain flying speed while taking off from a soft surface marginal airstrip at Tiraumea on a local topdressing flight. It also confirms the pilot as K. Christie.
Would you happen to know if Keith Christie is related/connected in any way to Dr H.K. Christie of Wanganui, an owner of more orthodox Austers in the 1950s/60s?
BMJ lived on as you say. It suffered a forced landing in 1968 before its final demise in 1976. Tough life, this top-dressing lark, but 20 years was a very good innings!
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January 27, 2008 at 9:16 pm