Always a good way to start a spirited ‘discussion’. I have flown both and own one. I have about 1.5hrs on a Cub and about 5hrs on an Auster. So guess which I own? yes, the ‘oyster’, a pure 1946 J1 powered by a lovely little Cirrus Minor 2. You would be lucky to get the quoted 100hp from the Cirrus on a good day with a following wind. As for the handling, both are reasonably forgiving but do not suffer fools. As for the so called dreaded Auster bounce on landing I have yet to suffer it, a matter of a good approach, at slow speed, well judged flare, at the right height, hold off, the closer the ground gets the further back you come with the stick, if you suffer a little ‘spip’ just keep the stick back, provided it is not a heavy one, in which case ease off-fullpower and go round. My greatest problem is getting off in a streight line with out using up all of the width of the runway.

Hi 1946

You are lucky not to have suffered a bounce or two (or three), I did some horrendous one’s when converting on to the Auster. I preferred to come in on the slow side but my instructor was always accusing me of ‘dragging it in’.

Managed to nip the wondering all over the runway in the bud though, my instructor just told me to a pick and object in the distance and keep lined up with it (there is usually a tree nearby that’s suitable). Anyway works for me.

Are you attending the AGM at Leicester this month?

Piper cubs start from £10,000, Its what I was thinking of maybe getting.

If you can find an airworthy J3 in the Uk for 10 grand, then my advice is to snap there hands off. The one I have flown has just been sold for twice that. No electrics, no radio. It went within two days of being advertised and there was no shortage of takers either. Second thoughts if you here of one at that price let me know and I will buy it.

so you cruise at 130 kts instead of 90 kts, oooh big difference.

Well no you dont actually. A J3 its about 65 MPH and a Super Cub about 85 MPH, and you have to remember that big old Lycoming in the Super Cub will be burning 6.5 to 7.0 imp gallons of finest Avgas an hour (at the best part of 5 quid a gallon).

The second, even sadder thing, is that two beautiful Austers were flipped by a storm over Shotteswell strip on Friday night and will almost certainly be written off. (Pedants should note that one was actually a Beagle Terrier)

I have seen the photograhs of the Terrier and it was a very distressing sight. If memory serves me well the Terrier was a converted Auster 6, so I guess it could be described as a Beagle or Auster. I know the owner of the other Auster (a particuarly rare variant), he is a total Auster man and I know how upset he must feel. 🙁

Hello Auster fan. I like the cut of your gib, do you get to any strips near where you live? Northrepps perhaps? Perhaps I could demonstrate a landing to you first hand next time I am over that way. 😉