In an old EDO News from 1949 they wrote that two Auster Mk.5 were equipped with EDO model 2000 floats. They went with RRS John Biscoe to the Falkland Islands.
‘Our little Auster plane, now mounted on floats, was strapped on a stand on her stern from which it was supposed to be lowered into the sea for ice reconnaissance. Normally a Gipsy Major engine is hand‑started but ours was fitted with a device powered by shotgun shells to kick her over, it being hard to swing over a propeller while standing on a float covered in ice!’
http://geokem.com/Antarctic/06.html
See also:
‘Taylorcraft Auster AOP Mk V: Similar to Mk IV but fitted with blind-flying panel. Total of 788 built, of which two fitted with floats for evaluation at the MAEE.’
Does anybody knows something about these rare Auster on floats?
Martin
By: bazv - 9th January 2008 at 12:44
Any forumites interested in float austers might enjoy reading
Rearsby Recalled by L Leetham
He was a fitter/part time test pilot with auster and did some trials work at Beaumaris and other locations.
By: Papa Lima - 8th January 2008 at 23:00
Googling brings up SE-BYT as a J5/G . . .
By: Auster Fan - 8th January 2008 at 22:29
These two were on the old thread but removed to save space…worth uploading again I think for this thread
The one on the right is definitely a J/5B or similar. The other one could be a J/1 or possibly a J/5F judging by the glazing – I can’t tell without seeing the whole rudder…….Shame about the engine conversion, but better than having a grounded airframe.
By: Arabella-Cox - 8th January 2008 at 20:57
Browsing through some of my old magazines over Christmas i came across a copy of Aviation World Nov/Dec 1989 (page 56) that has a photo of Auster V VP-FAC afloat whilst at MAEE Beaumaris. I also know that somewhere (I’ll find it one day when not looking for it) I have a photo of a Military Mk V on floats also taken at Beaumaris.
By: VX927 - 23rd December 2007 at 21:38
Fleet, can you please check your PM’s… I’ve sent you a couple!
Many thanks
927
By: Fleet16b - 23rd December 2007 at 21:03
Very interesting pics.I never knew thre were Austers on float.
However, over here there were many on skis.
If anyone is looking for a pir of Auster mk 6 skis & tail ski , I have a set for sale ( serviceable/vg condition)
By: wieesso - 23rd December 2007 at 19:32
These two were on the old thread but removed to save space…worth uploading again I think for this thread
Thanks old eagle – missed them already in the old thread đŸ˜‰
By: old eagle - 23rd December 2007 at 18:34
These two were on the old thread but removed to save space…worth uploading again I think for this thread
By: wieesso - 23rd December 2007 at 14:09
Some details about G-AJCH (ex TW510 XE-B)
‘…So was born a pioneer air service, with two second-hand ex-military Auster aircraft bought in Britain for only £700 each. They were shipped to the Falklands in crates, assembled in a roofless hangar, and on 19 December, 1948, Vic Spencer, a pilot hired in the United Kingdom, made the historic test flight from Stanley racecourse, the only suitable stretch of land for a light aircraft to take-off and land.
…
The first Auster, with its pioneer registration identity G-AJCH, overturned at San Carlos when its wheels sank into soft mud. It had to be shipped back to Britain for repairs and conversion into a float-plane, a more practicable solution with the lack of suitable air-strips and the proximity of water and landing jetties to most farm settlements….’
By: avion ancien - 22nd December 2007 at 18:09
Airfix Auster
From the booklet “Austers – Nearly all you wanted to know” from the International Auster Club Heritage Group:
Towards the end of 1954 . . . 2 special aircraft . . . the Trans-Antarctic Expedition . . . two Mk 7 aircraft were modified to have interchangeable wheels, floats and skis. . . . designated as the Model C4. After test flying in 1955 (they were crated and put on board the MV Theron. . . . Both aircraft survived and are preserved in museums in New Zealand and at RAF Cosford.
Page 25 of the booklet has a photograph of one of them on floats. Two more photographs on page 57 show an Auster Mk V on floats, with prototype markings.
I’m surprised that that aquatic Auster 7s are not better known. There must have been thousands like me who, when young, purchased the Airfix kit and then agonised about whether to put the tiny yellow model aeroplane on floats, skis or wheels, all of which were included in the kit!
By: wieesso - 22nd December 2007 at 17:43
Just found this old thread (2000 – 2006)
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=41688
… with photos! đŸ™‚
By: Papa Lima - 22nd December 2007 at 15:58
From the booklet “Austers – Nearly all you wanted to know” from the International Auster Club Heritage Group:
Towards the end of 1954 . . . 2 special aircraft . . . the Trans-Antarctic Expedition . . . two Mk 7 aircraft were modified to have interchangeable wheels, floats and skis. . . . designated as the Model C4. After test flying in 1955 (they were crated and put on board the MV Theron. . . . Both aircraft survived and are preserved in museums in New Zealand and at RAF Cosford.
Page 25 of the booklet has a photograph of one of them on floats. Two more photographs on page 57 show an Auster Mk V on floats, with prototype markings.
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December 22, 2007 at 3:07 pm