Remarks: This aircraft is very rare as only six J.5R Alpines were built in total, and this is one of only two in Australia. It was registered new in the UK as G-APCX on 26 June 1957 and subsequently passed through a number of owners, including the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. In 1978 it was imported into Australia along with a number of other UK Austers by the late Sander Veenstra and registered VH-KBV on 23 February 1979. Withdrawn from service in '82: in '87 commenced a rebuild, flying again April '88.
Remarks: First in the database of this one. The Auster is a classic British aircraft design, this 1953 version is seen here basking in the sunshine at the delightful grass airfield that is Andrewsfield.
Remarks: This Aiglet Trainer, an aerobatic Auster variant, was initially registered G-AMTE on 24 May 52 to Airways Aero Associations of Brentford, Middx. First production test flight on 26 Sept 52. Suffered numerous accidents in the hands of various owners until exported to Australia in 1978. Registered as VH-WKY on 24 Feb 81 but never held a CofA. After passing through several hands and a loooooong restoration it first flew on 23 April 09. Seen here at the AAAA Auster Rally.
Remarks: Arriving at the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia’s National Fly-in at Griffith was Graeme Smith’s recently-restored and immaculate Auster J.5F Aiglet Trainer VH-BYF(2). The aircraft made its first flight following a decade-long restoration to superb condition in late 2009. It has an interesting pedigree, being a composite of the fuselage of the former VH-BYE and the wings of VH-SAE, which was originally registered VH-BYF(1) in 1953!
Remarks: The Adventurer was basically a four-seat Autocrat developed for Australia and New Zealand, using war-surplus Australian-production Gipsy Majors. This one was manufactured in 1950 and shipped to Australia engineless where Kingsford Smith Aviation Service, Sydney, fitted the engine. It was first registered on 31 July 1951. It's seen here getting airborne for an antique formation display at the Houdini-Centenary Air Show.
Remarks: The Adventurer was basically a four-seat Autocrat developed for Australia and New Zealand, using war-surplus Australian-production Gipsy Majors. This one was manufactured in 1950 and shipped to Australia engineless where Kingsford Smith Aviation Service, Sydney, fitted the engine. It was first registered on 31 July 1951. It's seen here at the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's Auster Rally.
Remarks: Attending the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia’s Auster Rally at Broken Hill was Graeme Smith’s newly-restored Auster J.5F Aiglet Trainer VH-BYF(2). The aircraft made its first flight following a decade-long restoration to immaculate condition only a week before the event. It has an interesting pedigree, being a composite of the fuselage of the former VH-BYE and the wings of VH-SAE, which was originally registered VH-BYF(1) in 1953!
