Auster AOP.6 VF582

Interesting pictures David. With the star on the cowling of WE591, it had a ‘General’ as a passenger, so I assume that the pictures were prior to Cessna L19A/14754 being on the books of 1913 Flight RAF, as it was normally used for ferrying top brass (added comfort!!!) . Regarding the caption of the picture of the L19A, I was unaware of its role with the Canadian ‘military’ and presume that this was prior to the RAF getting their hands on it! Attached are a couple of pictures of 14754, one in its parking bay on A10 airstrip and one which was carrying the outgoing GOC 1st Commonwealth Division, on a farewell tour, at A16 airstrip. The pilot shown half in/out the a/c is the late Sgt ‘Red’ Meaton, (Glider Pilot Regiment) who was its regular pilot during my time on the flight.

Charlie, thank you for those photos, I have a long-term interest in 1903/1913, and especially the L-19, but also WE591 and it’s unique colour scheme. The following pics might be of interest to you – the two with captions came from a US magazine that I can’t recall at the moment, but the one of the L19 is the only one I know of to show the upper surfaces. Perhaps you know how it broke it’s tail wheel?

Regards

David

Re my post 14th August 2018. Please note that the small picture has incorrect title, it is WE591, not WF591 – only just noticed the error and have corrected my archive!

It seems that Military Aircraft Markings 2018 is unreliable and F-AZTJ has moved on! On 3 April 2009 it was registered to Kay Herzog of Sylvanerweg 12, 70329 Stuttgart and was based at Donzdorf. However on 13 October 2015 it was sold to (and, presumably, re-registered in) Germany. So it appears that you’ll have to pursue your search there.

Was starting this post to say, that with the UK civil registration, the owner’s address is easy to locate on the ‘freedom of information’ CAA G-INFO listing.

However then looked WE591 in ‘Military Aircraft Markings 2018’ book to do the job myself and discretely PM the details to ‘Charlie Blake’, only to find it is shown as currently registered as F-AZTJ, with the base given as Toussus-le Noble – a GA airfield near Paris.

Good idea foiled!

I doubt it Anthony, these pictures are from my personal archive and haven’t been published. However, copies of my pictures have been passed on to the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop, the home of the Army Air Corps UK, for their use in displays.

Wow Charlie, wonderful photo’s!

WE591 went back to the UK and got civilianized and still flies today. I wonder if the owner has seen these pics??

Thanks so much!

This is WE591 Anthony, I’ve managed to upload the picture. Note the unusual colour scheme, the underside was light blue, up to the ‘water line’.[ATTACH=CONFIG]262130[/ATTACH]

Hi Anthony, yes, I serviced the engine of WE591, which was an Auster T7. It had side by side seating and capacity for dual sticks and pedals. It too was on the books of 1913 Light Liaison Flight RAF at A10 airstrip in Korea, c1954. I had hoped to include a picture of the plane, but for some reason it will not load!

Hi Charlie, no problem at all, I’m not a radio guy but am trying to learn so I can get the correct equipment fitted into my plane, but I think you were correct! I find it interesting hearing engineers and operators/crew experiences rather than pilots for some reason.

Did you ever have anything to do with the T.7 trainer version?

Cheers
Anthony

Sorry, no, Anthony. I do remember operating one of the radio sets in the Auster, using a throat microphone and the aerial was a long wire, with a weight on the end, down thru’ a tube in the floor, which was wound down for use and rewound before landing. From memory (somewhat faded now!) the radio operated AM and I think that the PTR61 was FM, but I could be wrong!!!

Hi Charlie, welcome to Key forum!

Great photo you have come up with! Did you have anything to do with the Plessey PTR 61 radio’s fitted in them? I am hoping to put one back in my T.7 rebuild

Cheers
Anthony

I have only just picked up on this thread, so apologies for this information being so late.
In 1954/55 I did engine services on VF582 (and other Austers & a Cessna L19A) as part of my RAF duties for 1913 Light Liaison Flight RAF on airstrips A10 & A16. We were a unit of the 1st Commonwealth Division, part of the UN forces in Korea. The attached picture is of VF582 at the A10 airstrip, c1954.[ATTACH=CONFIG]261919[/ATTACH]

You’re welcome – my pleasure to help the museum

Thanks Ed:
For the info on C-GCID, and for the email. Been away for a few days so I’m just catching up.
Regards
Bill

C-GCID

C/n 2859 was built as 16681 and was civilianised as CF-KRF in 1956. Following an accident in 1958 it was eventually rebuilt by 1991 as C-GCID being reflown on Vancouver Island in 1993. It was at the Hamilton Museum by 2007.

To continue the story:

Trenton’s Bogus VF582 is RCAF 16670, RAF VP653, c/n 2598, Latterly CF-LWK.
One reference gives this one as 16651, c/n 2558 latterly CF-MMY, re-registered as CF-LWK. I don’t think this can be correct.
The CWH “VF582” is RCAF 16690 (which makes it a T-7); one time C-FKLD. When I was at the Hamilton A/show in 2011 the CWH were showing an AOP.6 in RCAF colours (yellow) with the reg C-GCID. I have no idea of the identity of this one.

Rgds
Bill

Thanks all for your contributions:
You have it about right Ed:
CASM OTTAWA’s Auster is RCAF 16652, RAF VP629, C/N 2576, latterly CF-KBV. This is the one in Dr John’s picture.

Regards
Bill

As far as I am aware three Canadian Austers have been painted as VF582 in recognition of Capt. Tees’ deeds flying the original. These are as follows:-

c/n 2576 16652 CF-KBV at the Canadian Aviation Museum, Ottawa

c/n 2598 16670 CF-LWK flown by Pete Kelly for some years and finally donated to the RCAF Museum, Trenton

No c/n 16690 CF-KLD Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Hamilton.

I thought c/n 2558 16651 CF-MMY disappeared off the Canadian register in 1964. I am not aware of it being painted as VF582.

I would be most grateful for any corrections or additions to these details.

I am confused here. Roborough says the Auster in the museum is RCAF 16652 c/n 2576.
Dr Smith says it is VP628 c/n 2558, CF-MMY, C-FWLK

When I saw it at Rockville in 1993 I noted it as ex 16652 ex CF-KBV (I think it was labelled as such).

The Auster site gives 2576 as VP629, 16652, CF-KBV, and 2558 as 16651 CF-MMY VP628

So is the museum’s “VF583” 16651 or 16652?