Auster

Auster Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer. The company in 1938 as Taylorcraft Aeroplanes (England ) Limited was founded until 1962. Headquarters was initially Thurmaston, later Rearsby, both in Leicestershire. Were produced exclusively single-engine propeller aircraft. The name oyster is derived from an Italian south wind and initially served only as a product name.

History

After Alexander Lance Wykes had in 1938 acquired the rights to the Taylorcraft B, he founded the Taylorcraft Aeroplanes (England ) Limited and settled them in Thurmaston near Leicester. Production started in early 1939.

One of the first models were the light reconnaissance aircraft Taylorcraft Plus C and Taylorcraft D, which had been adapted to the British regulations. The name oyster was first used in 1941. With the move to the airfield of Rearsby on March 7, 1946, the company was named Auster Aircraft.

After the outbreak of war in 1939, the production was first interrupted and assumed supply and repair orders. 1942 began shipping an improved Taylorcraft C, which was as an artillery observer use. During the Second World War 1604 Taylorcraft Auster high-deck created for the armed forces of Great Britain and Canada.

1945 was the Auster Autocrat, which derived from the military version Auster 5. About four hundred copies were sold to civil and military customers. In the following years many similar aircraft were developed and used for various purposes. By 1960, production increased to about 3,800 machines.

All the designs were derived from the early Taylorcraft models from, had a high wing, and had a tail wheel or skid under the tail on. The only exception was the low-wing agricultural aircraft type Auster Agricola, which were built in the years 1955/56. After the founding of Beagle Aircraft 1960, the high-decker was continued with the terrier and equipped with a tricycle landing gear Airedale.

After the takeover by the Pressed Steel Company in 1960, the company Beagle Auster Ltd. was. renamed. In 1962, the merger with Beagle -Miles Ltd. the new Beagle Aircraft. The brand name oyster was used until 1968.

Stationing in Germany

Auster found as an observation and liaison aircraft even when the Air Observation Post ( AOP) Squadrons and Flights from 1945 until the late 1950s in North West Germany in the British Air Force of Occupation / 2 Tactical Air Force ( Army Air Corps from 1957 ) use, see further in the Army Air Corps page.

The series used in Germany were the oyster IV, V oyster, oyster and oyster AOP.6 AOP.9.