FS 2004
Following on from Dave Moyleaux's popular recreation of the license built Taylorcraft Model C which was released a few weeks ago, today see its successor the Auster Mk.1 rolled out of the virtual Auster factory.
The Plus D was a modified Plus C (of course!) and had a Cirrus Minor fitted instead of the previous Lycoming engine. Together with a different cockpit layout and revised glazing, an order for 100 airframes was received from the RAF in 1941.
When production was underway, the Ministry of Aircraft Production requested that the aircraft be named. The suggestion of 'Icarus' was rejected because this character of Greek mythology crashed on his first flight. Similarly 'Zephyr' meaning a gentle warm wind, ws not popular although this began an idea that the name be another in the series of Hurricane, Typhoon and Whirlwind which described the fighter aircraft of the time. Finally the name 'Auster' a Roman name for a warm southerly breeze, was chosen and the Plus D became known as the Auster Mk.1.
The Auster modelled by Dave is LB312 which had the construction number 171. Delivered direct to 651 Squadron on 24/9/1942, but during short landing practice at Kidsdale on 23/10/1942, its pilot undershot the approach and struck the airfield boundary fence, causing '312 to land on its nose'. On November 8th a 63 MY salvage team conveyed the damaged aircraft to Rearsby where after repairs, it was re-issued to 653 Squadron on 31/12/1942. On 12/4/1945, '312 was issued to 234 Squadron, with whom it remained until 20/2/1946 when it was flown to No.5 MU for disposal. Upon sale, LB312 was civilianised as G-AHXE.
As always just like all the other Austers Dave and Brian have produced, the attention to detail is very accurate indeed and the flight model extremely close to the real thing. A word of warning here, it will float on and on and on, if you dont get your approach speeds correct:
Typhoons flew in and otu of Rearsby's grass field quite cheerfully, so obviously the Austers had plenty of space.....apart from one. The Auster Mk 1 had no flaps and therefore a tendancy to float on the approach to touch down. A Polish (ex Spitfire pilot) arrived on 3 July 1945 from Aston Down, in an ancient flapless version - LB333. Close to the boundary, he made a one point landing - on the tailwheel. This caused a see-saw movement on to the main wheels. Applying Spitfire principles and bursts of power, his mount leap frogged along the strip and refused to settle. It was tea-break time at the workshops, so a hundred or so workers watched the spectacle of an Auster having to make an over-shoot and try again. Second time around, a hundred voices chanted '1...2....3.....4.....5......6' as they counted the inevitable bounces. However, all was well this time. The Auster eventually slowed - and disappeared! It had veered into the long uncut grass beside the marked strip. The sound of the accompanying unanimous cheer must have rung in his ears for days.
Hope everyone enjoys it as much as the Plus C and all the other Austers which are available from www.classicbritishfiles.com
Happy (and short landings),
Martin
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Originally Posted by dogknot
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