7-482: The Auster AOP.6 was a British military air observation aircraft produced by Auster Aircraft Limited to replace the numerous wartime Taylorcraft Auster aircraft then in-service. The Auster AOP.6 ( Auster Model K ) was designed as a successor to the Taylorcraft Auster V , it had a strengthened fuselage, increased all-up weight and a 145 hp (108 kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major 7 engine. It had
14-624: A different appearance to the wartime Austers due to the lengthened landing gear struts (due to the larger propeller), and external non-retractable aerofoil flaps. An initial production run of 296 were completed for the Royal Air Force in 1949. A second batch was produced from 1952 with a total delivered of around 400. Some aircraft ordered by the Royal Air Force aircraft were diverted to the Belgian Air Force (22) and
21-825: The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force (2). New aircraft were delivered to Royal Canadian Air Force , South African Air Force , and the Arab Legion Air Force (Jordan). A dual-control training version of the AOP.6 was produced, 77 serving as the Auster T.7 ( Auster Model Q ). These flew alongside the AOP.6 in the AOP squadrons. In 1955 two T.7 aircraft were modified for use on the 1956 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition , being designated Auster Antarctic ( Auster Model C4 ). The aircraft had extra radio equipment, larger tail surfaces,
28-587: The Roman name for the south wind ) on 7 March 1946, when production shifted to Rearsby aerodrome, all in Leicestershire . All designs were evolved from the early Taylorcraft with a sprung skid or tailwheel beneath the fin (except for a low-wing aircraft called the " Agricola " designed for aerial farming work ; only nine of these were completed). When the company was merged into Beagle Aircraft in June, 1961,
35-535: The UK and Canada , primarily for the role of air observation post (AOP). During the war the head office and drawing office were at a big old house on the outskirts of Thurmaston called "The Woodlands". The fuselages and wings were manufactured at Syston under the works manager by the name of Sharp. Sheet metalwork was done at the old 'en tout cas' works at Thurmaston. Final assembly, fitting out and testing took place at Rearsby aerodrome. The name changed to Auster (after
42-677: The ability to be fitted with floats or skis as required and a bright yellow finish to increase visibility against the snow and ice. The aircraft was gradually replaced with the Auster AOP.9 from 1955 and surplus aircraft were converted to civilian use, first as the Auster 6A and later as the Beagle A.61 Terrier . Data from Macdonald Aircraft Handbook General characteristics Performance Related development [REDACTED] Media related to Auster AOP.6 at Wikimedia Commons Auster Aircraft Auster Aircraft Limited
49-551: Was a British aircraft manufacturer from 1938 to 1961. The company began in 1938 at the Britannia Works, Thurmaston near Leicester , England, as Taylorcraft Aeroplanes (England) Limited , making light observation aircraft designed by the Taylorcraft Aircraft Corporation of America. 1,604 high-wing Taylorcraft Auster monoplanes were built during World War II for the armed forces of
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