For what it's worth.....
During a doco film on satellite TV on Australia's Antarctic bases, there was the briefest colour clip, maybe only a few second, of what appeared to be a float equipped Auster landing alongside a supply ship. It was obviously all over orange and had roundels.
Far too fleeting to see any other markings, but my guess it was an ANTARE civil contractor.
Later......
Maybe not civil?? Just found this:
"...RAAF serials A11-1 to A11-56, replaced in 1959 by C180..."
The doco clip would definately have been in the late 50's I suspect, as the ship looked like one of the Dans - Nella Dan, Kista Dan etc.
Still later still......
From another site:
In addition, two Auster Mk 6 aircraft A11-200 and A11-201, accompanied the 1953/54 Antarctic Expedition, and Sqn Ldr Leckie again used A11-201 on the 1955/56 voyage. Also, Auster J-5G Autocar aircraft of the Royal Australian Navy carried the RAAF prefix A11 and were numbered from A11-300.
Hybrid Auster on sea ice at Horseshoe Harbour 1954. RAAF photo
When both aircraft were damaged in a shipboard incident two days after arriving in Horseshoe Harbour, one was cannibalised for spare parts. The repaired hybrid aircraft was jettisoned from the Kista Dan later in the same summer, after breaking its tie-downs and fouling the lifeboats.
Interesting Auster Story. Names changed to protect the guilty.
Learn something everyday.
Time to get back to work!
