Air Observation Post (AOP) is an aeroplane used in the role of artillery spotter by the British Army and Commonwealth forces.
Variants
Taylorcraft Plus C
Licence-built Taylorcraft B
Taylorcraft Plus D
Re-engine Plus C
Model D/1/Auster I
Military version of Plus C with enlarged windows.
Model E/Auster III
Re-engine Auster I with split flaps Gipsy Major 1 engine
Model F/Auster II
Re-engine Auster I Lycoming 0-290-3 engine
Model G/Auster IV
Modified fuselage with extended rear cabin glazing and Lycoming 0-290-3 engine
Model H
Experimental tandem two-seat training glider converted from Taylorcraft B.
Model J/Auster V
As Auster IV with blind-flying instruments and Vacuum System Lycoming 0-290-3/1 engine
Auster J family
Mk 5
Civil conversion of Auster V with Lycoming 0-290-3(C) engines
Mk 5 Alpha
New-build Auster Mk5 aircraft with Lycoming 0-290-3(C) engines
Mk5-150
Conversion of Civil Auster V with Lycoming 0-320 engine
J/1 Autocrat
Three-seat high-winged monoplane light aircraft (fitted with Blackburn Cirrus Minor II engine)
Auster J/1A Autocrat
Four-seat version of Autocrat
Auster J/1B Aiglet
Re-engined agricultural version of Autocrat ([De Havilland Gipsy Major1] engine)
Auster J/1N
Conversion of Auster J/1 Autocrat from Cirrus Minor II engine to Gipsy Major1 engine.
Auster J/1N Alpha
New built Auster J/1N aircraft (De Havilland Gipsy Major1 engine)
Auster J/1S Autocrat
Conversion to De-Havilland Gipsy Major10 Mk2 engine.
J/1U Workmaster
Agricultural version of the Alpha Lycoming 0-360 engine
Auster J/1Y
Conversion of Auster J/1 Series to Lycoming 0-320 Engine Predecessor of Auster D5/160 Auster D5
J/2 Arrow
J/3 Atom
Low-powered version of Arrow with Continental engine
J/4
Arrow with Blackburn Cirrus Minor I engine Predecessor of Auster D4/108
J/5 Adventurer
Three-seat high-wing monoplane light aircraft
Auster J/5 Adventurer
Auster J/5A Adventurer
J/5 Autocar
Auster J/5B Autocar
Four-seat high-winged monoplane light aircraft
Auster J/5E Autocar
Auster J/5G Autocar
Auster J/5P Autocar
Auster J/5T Autocar
One only built
Auster J/5V Autocar
J/5 Aiglet Trainer
Aerobatic version 32 ft wingspan
Auster J/5F Aiglet Trainer
Auster J/5K Aiglet Trainer
Auster J/5L Aiglet Trainer
Auster J/8L Aiglet Trainer
J/5 Alpine
Improved Aiglet Trainer with 36 ft wingspan
Auster J/5R Alpine
Auster J/5Q Alpine
Model K/Auster AOP6
Post-war military Air Observation aircraft.
Auster 6A Tugmaster
Glider towing conversion of the Auster 6
Auster 6B/Beagle Terrier
Civil conversion of the Auster 6
Model L
Proposed two or three seat low-wing monoplane based on the Model G airframe with a Lycoming O-290-3 engine, not built.
Model M/Auster A.2/45
2 or 3-seat high-wing AOP aircraft, prototype only.
Model N/Auster A.2/45
Re-engined Model M, prototype only.
Model P/Auster Avis
Four-seater based on J/1 with slimmer fuselage, two built.
Model Q/Auster T7
Two-seat trainer version of AOP6.
Model S
AOP aircraft based on AOP6 with enlarged tail, prototype only.
Model A3
Two-seat light aircraft project with a Blackburn Cirrus Minor engine, not built.
Model A4
Two-seat development project of current (1948) designs with a Blackburn Cirrus Minor 2 engine, not built.
Model A5
Four-seat army co-operation project with a De Havilland Gipsy Major 10 engine, two version planned a conventional landing gear for air ambulance work and a tricycle landing gear version for communications and reconnaissance work, not built.
Model A6
Variant of the A4 with a Cirrus Minor engine driving a geared ducted fan, not built.
Model A7
Light twin project, not built.
Model A8
Three-seat AOP project with a Bombardier engine, not built.
Model A9
Project to meet an Royal Air Force requirement for a two-seat training aircraft, the Percival Provost was selected and the A9 was not built.
Model B1
Mid-wing AOP project, not built.
Model B3
Radio-controlled target drone.
Model B4/Auster B4
Four-seat high-winged ambulance aircraft
Model B5/Auster AOP9
1950s military air observation aircraft
Model B6
Parasol-wing agricultural project with bubble canopy, not built.
Model B8/Auster B8 Agricola
Low-winged agricultural aircraft
Model B9
Ramjet helicopter project, not built
Model C4/Auster Antarctic
Modified Auster T7 for Antarctic support.
Model C6/Auster Atlantic
Four-seat high-wing touring monoplane with tricycle undercarriage, one built.
Model D4/Auster D4
Two-seat development of the Auster Arrow.
Model D5/Auster D5
Re-engined version of Auster Alpha with modified tail, developed as the Beagle Husky
Model D6/Auster D6
Four-seat development of Auster Autocar
Model D8
Original designation of Beagle Airedale.
Model E3
AOP9 with modified engine as the AOP11.
Specifications
Crew
3
Length
22 ft 5 in (6.83 m)
Wingspan
36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
Height
8 ft 0 in (2.44 m)
Wing area
167 sq ft (15.51 m2)
Empty weight
1,100 lb (499 kg)
Max take-off weight
1,850 lb (839 kg)
Powerplant
1 × Lycoming O-290-3 flat-four piston, 130 hp (97 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed
113 kn (130 mph, 209 km/h)
Stall speed
28 kn (32 mph, 51 km/h)
Range
220 nmi (250 mi, 402 km) 400 nmi with long range tank fitted.
