Highlights:
- A British military light observation aircraft produced by Auster Aircraft Limited from 1946 to 1953
- An improved version of observation aircraft used during the Second World War
- Closely related to the Taylorcraft BC-65 and a descendant of the Taylor E-2 Cub
- Used in Korea by the British to scout for the enemy and direct artillery fire
- Canada received thirty-four Auster 6s in 1948 for training military observers in Rivers, Manitoba
- Withdrawn from Canadian service in 1958, although many remain in civil use
- Auster 6 pilot Canadian Captain Peter Tees (seconded to the RAF) was awarded the Commonwealth Distinguished Flying Cross for flying in Korea
- First flight was on May 1, 1945
Image Gallery:
CASM-14252
CASM-14253
KM1038
History:
The Auster A.O.P. 6 is a light observation aircraft that was developed from a line of similar machines by the Taylorcraft/Auster company. It was an easily maintained aircraft that could operate from short improvised landing strips in forward battle areas. The Canadian government received 36 Auster 6s in 1948, and 6 Auster 7s in 1951. These aircraft were gradually taken out of service as deliveries of a new machine, the Cessna L-19 Bird Dog, began in 1954. The last Auster was struck off strength in May 1958.
The Museum Auster was taken on strength by the RCAF in 1948. In 1957, the Auster was sold for civilian use, and after passing through the hands of several Canadian owners, was purchased by the Canadian War Museum in 1965. This aircraft was restored by No. 6 Repair Depot, RCAF.
Current Location:
Reserve Hangar, Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Provenance:
Purchase
This Auster was manufactured by Auster Aircraft Limited in United Kingdom in 1948. It was taken on strength by the RCAF later that year. In 1957 it was sold for civilian use to Sigurdson Aviation Limited in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The following year it was acquired by F. W. Mohney of Thurso, Quebec. Over the next few years, it passed through the hands of several Quebec-based owners.
In March 1965 the Canadian War Museum bought the aircraft from Garant Aviation, St-François, Montmagny, Quebec. No. 6 Repair Depot RCAF in Trenton, Ontario refurbished it in the markings of a British army aircraft flown during the Korean War by Canadian pilot Captain Peter Tees of the Royal Canadian Artillery. Tees was awarded the Commonwealth Distinguished Flying Cross for directing artillery fire from the air in Korea. The Auster was transferred to the Museum in 1967.
Technical Information:
| Wing Span | 11 m (36 ft) |
| Length | 7.2 m (23 ft 9 in) |
| Height | 2.6 m (8 ft 4 in) |
| Weight, Empty | 667 kg (1,470 lb) |
| Weight, Gross | 1,002 kg (2,210 lb) |
| Cruising Speed | 174 km/h (108 mph) |
| Max Speed | 196 km/h (122 mph) |
| Rate of Climb | 200 m (660 ft) /min |
| Service Ceiling | 3,650 m (12,000 ft) |
| Range | Unknown |
| Crew | two or three |
| Power Plant | one de Havilland Gipsy Major 7, 145-hp inverted in-line engine |
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