I’m probably wrong here (I normally am) but wasnt G-AJPZ the Auster used by Christopher Draper in his second attempt in 1953 to fly under the Thames bridges?

Best wishes to all,

Martin

Haven’t heard that yet, then again i’ve heard almost nothing about the history of AJPZ before. May put an advert in the Auster mag to try and find out more info about her, would be interesting if she was (hmmmm wonder if the CAA would let me re-enact it 😉 )

The gates I saw were the original caterpillar ones (or at least, caterpillar put them on the original RAF gates. Definitely saw at least one hangar last time I drove around the back of it, and the house you’re talking about was the station commanders residence

Desford was an aerodrome during the war, mainly training (tiger moths, oxfords etc), as well as maintenance work being done there. Reid and Sigrist, a company that made aircraft instruments, also made three aircraft (well, the third was a modification of the second one built). I can see the site of the aerodrome, now a huge JCB factory (but some hangars are still around and also part of the factory) from my house, when you drive past the factory on the main road you’d never guess it used to be an aerodrome

It’s always time for an Auster thread! According to my aunt I missed out on something about Austers on the radio last week. A great new book about Austers came out not too long ago as well, you can buy it off the auster club site http://www.austerclub.org , even i’ve got a mention in it!

Here’s a couple of Auster photos from this year, first off my favourite one, Auster III MT438 / G-AREI, a genuine warbird that flew with 656 squadron in the far east during WW2, also a beauty to fly as well as to look at

And here’s my bundle of joy, Auster J1 G-AJPZ (certainly impresses people telling them I have a plane – as long as I don’t show them a photo of it!)

Would also like to say thanks to Martin Pengelley (T6flyer) and subsequently everyone else i’ve met or spoke to about Austers, especially Richard Webber, for giving me the chance to fly in (and fly all except the AOP 6) plenty of Austers

According to a mate who’s dad runs the vulcan club it’ll be flying down the mall by June next year, so i’d imagine it’d be ready for RIAT if that holds true

Looking good – might go along on Sunday if I can work out the bus system from Cov city centre!

No need PP – we may be able to help!

PM me!

TT

Is that a Hunter wing pylon propped up in the genny shed then? Damn thing, trip up on it every time!

You could do the restoration of my Auster J1, although i’ll need about £30,000 to get it flying! (Including car and insurance to get me to Bruntingthorpe every day)