Ahhhh Austerrrrrrrrrr (Merged)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Surrey, Uk
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LowNSlow
Thanks for the PM.
Regarding the deregistering of G-AOFJ, I may be able to help.
I am not in touch with Ms Innocent. I met her some 30 odd years ago but I know a man who might be able to help.
He is not on the web so it will take a time but I will be back.
Regards
Mr G.
Thanks for the PM.
Regarding the deregistering of G-AOFJ, I may be able to help.
I am not in touch with Ms Innocent. I met her some 30 odd years ago but I know a man who might be able to help.
He is not on the web so it will take a time but I will be back.
Regards
Mr G.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Somewhere in Southern England
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Hey Grubby
My copy of British Civil Aircraft 1919-1959 Vol 1
Gives Auster 5 (1956-58 models) as
c/n
3401 GAOFJ 1st reg 9.1.1957
3402 GAPAH 31.4.57
3403 GAPBE 9.5.57
3404 GAPAF 14.5.57
3405 GAPBW 13.6.57
3407 GAPHU 13.9.57
3409 GAPNM 17.7.58
3410 GAPNN 17.7.58
All fitted with Lycoming 0-290-3/1 (pesco vacuum pump)
Dunno how many more there were.
TTFN
My copy of British Civil Aircraft 1919-1959 Vol 1
Gives Auster 5 (1956-58 models) as
c/n
3401 GAOFJ 1st reg 9.1.1957
3402 GAPAH 31.4.57
3403 GAPBE 9.5.57
3404 GAPAF 14.5.57
3405 GAPBW 13.6.57
3407 GAPHU 13.9.57
3409 GAPNM 17.7.58
3410 GAPNN 17.7.58
All fitted with Lycoming 0-290-3/1 (pesco vacuum pump)
Dunno how many more there were.
TTFN
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Surrey, Uk
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Red Spit. D
Hello Matey,
Thanks for the info. Useful.
When we last spoke on the phone you said you were about to change to Broadband and get a new E mail address. Keep me advised when you get a new address.
Still tempted to try and buy G-AOFJ. Trouble is she is in Perth. No CoA. Where would we keep her? Who would fly her ? Your boy maybe?
Nice thought.
C.
Hello Matey,
Thanks for the info. Useful.
When we last spoke on the phone you said you were about to change to Broadband and get a new E mail address. Keep me advised when you get a new address.
Still tempted to try and buy G-AOFJ. Trouble is she is in Perth. No CoA. Where would we keep her? Who would fly her ? Your boy maybe?
Nice thought.
C.
Thread Starter
Took AM flying over the weekend with the new all singing and dancing tailwheel steering. Why, oh why, was this not fitted as standard??? Managed to takeoff and land in a crosswind that would previously kept me in the hangar when the tailwheel was free castoring. It's going to save the brakes so much punishment this summer.
Now I need to get those pushrods to stop leaking oil........
Now I need to get those pushrods to stop leaking oil........
Join Date: Mar 2002
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LowN Slow
Pleased to see a pic or two of her from Duxford. Would have come along myself, but with no airside access didn't feel the need.
Any details of the tail steering. Was it a kit from Karl or a Scott unit. From looking I can only find the Scott ones about.
Anyway. AHAP is coming apart bit by bit. Oh what fun crawling into the footwell for days on end, just to get the pedal bars out. and whats with the fuel tank moutnings, going through the tank ??. I've also discovered that the one peice aluminium fairing (sides and top) is not original, or even the way is holds the screen it with self tapping screws ?. She should be a bare frame in a week or so now, ready for checking, and welding and then blast cleaning (always best done before any welding if poss.)
Must post some more pics on the little web page.
Ps Are we likely to see AM at any other events when I can have a good look ??
Pleased to see a pic or two of her from Duxford. Would have come along myself, but with no airside access didn't feel the need.
Any details of the tail steering. Was it a kit from Karl or a Scott unit. From looking I can only find the Scott ones about.
Anyway. AHAP is coming apart bit by bit. Oh what fun crawling into the footwell for days on end, just to get the pedal bars out. and whats with the fuel tank moutnings, going through the tank ??. I've also discovered that the one peice aluminium fairing (sides and top) is not original, or even the way is holds the screen it with self tapping screws ?. She should be a bare frame in a week or so now, ready for checking, and welding and then blast cleaning (always best done before any welding if poss.)
Must post some more pics on the little web page.
Ps Are we likely to see AM at any other events when I can have a good look ??
Thread Starter
O2 pity you didn't make Duxford, it was a good day out.
Re: tailwheel steering, I got the control horns from Auster Spares, the springs and chains from Light Aero and I already had a steerable Scott tailwheel on the aircraft. I was going to ditch the Scott for an original Auster item. Then I discovered it was going to cost two arms and a leg and would have left me with a tailwheel looking like a shopping trolley reject. However, Scott tailwheel prices have quadrupled over the last year and I've been told that they are now around $1,200 for the 6" wheel.............
Glad to hear that AP is coming apart OK. What one piece aluminium fairing are you referring to? Mine has a wrap around affair over each wing root but nothing at the base of the windscreen except the self tappers going into the fuselage which are covered with fabric. Anyway, sounds like you are going to end up with a lovely Auster after starting from the bare frame. Does AP have wing tanks as well as the firewall tank? If not, are you going to fit them? Ron Neal has the drawings and probably could be persuaded to fab a few pairs if pushed.
I'm hoping to be out and about in AM this summer but I'm off to a good start by missing the GWFW at Kemble due to work.
Re: tailwheel steering, I got the control horns from Auster Spares, the springs and chains from Light Aero and I already had a steerable Scott tailwheel on the aircraft. I was going to ditch the Scott for an original Auster item. Then I discovered it was going to cost two arms and a leg and would have left me with a tailwheel looking like a shopping trolley reject. However, Scott tailwheel prices have quadrupled over the last year and I've been told that they are now around $1,200 for the 6" wheel.............
Glad to hear that AP is coming apart OK. What one piece aluminium fairing are you referring to? Mine has a wrap around affair over each wing root but nothing at the base of the windscreen except the self tappers going into the fuselage which are covered with fabric. Anyway, sounds like you are going to end up with a lovely Auster after starting from the bare frame. Does AP have wing tanks as well as the firewall tank? If not, are you going to fit them? Ron Neal has the drawings and probably could be persuaded to fab a few pairs if pushed.
I'm hoping to be out and about in AM this summer but I'm off to a good start by missing the GWFW at Kemble due to work.
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Fantastic 5J4
My Auster G-AIJT is the best all round a/c I ever flew and I will always look fwd to jumping in that Land Rover of the air and cruising around the Scottish highlands!
Thread Starter
Awakevortice Land Rover of the air is about the most fitting description I've heard for an Auster. The seating arrangement certainly bears similarity 
Plus the go anywhere ability of course 
I take it the 5J4 is a Gipsy engined variant, ie the equivalent to the Land Rover V8. Mine is Cirrus engined and thus the equivalent to the 2.25L petrol powered Mark I Landie
Plus the go anywhere ability of course I take it the 5J4 is a Gipsy engined variant, ie the equivalent to the Land Rover V8. Mine is Cirrus engined and thus the equivalent to the 2.25L petrol powered Mark I Landie
Last edited by LowNSlow; 23rd Apr 2003 at 14:42.
Thread Starter
Oscar Deuce how's AP coming along?
Have you decided which engine you are going to use instead of the Rover? There's a Gipsy Major 10-2 with 340 hours for sale in the PFA magazine at the moment also a Lycoming O-360 with the same people.
Have you decided which engine you are going to use instead of the Rover? There's a Gipsy Major 10-2 with 340 hours for sale in the PFA magazine at the moment also a Lycoming O-360 with the same people.
Join Date: Mar 2002
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LowNSlow
AP is coming along at a reasonable rate. Would post a picture here, but don't know how.
She's down to the bare frame now, still sitting on her u/c. Just started to paint strip her before handing it over to someone for the welding (rear lower longerons and stern post, for the second time in her life).
As for engines, unless anything changes it looks like a lycoming 0320-B (160 Hp) , as a D5/6, although with a scratch build cowl (Ron Neal been offering advice). With fuel tanks in the wings.
Looking out for some parts now, see what Popham has to offer on Monday.
Getting any more use of AM now she's back in the air.
AP is coming along at a reasonable rate. Would post a picture here, but don't know how.
She's down to the bare frame now, still sitting on her u/c. Just started to paint strip her before handing it over to someone for the welding (rear lower longerons and stern post, for the second time in her life).
As for engines, unless anything changes it looks like a lycoming 0320-B (160 Hp) , as a D5/6, although with a scratch build cowl (Ron Neal been offering advice). With fuel tanks in the wings.
Looking out for some parts now, see what Popham has to offer on Monday.
Getting any more use of AM now she's back in the air.
Thread Starter
O2 sounds like a cunning plan coming to fruition. Maybe Mr. Grubby can help you post some pics. I'll be sending some to him when I get back to the world next week.
Did AM have wing tanks already or are you going to get new ones fabricated or were you REALLY lucky and found some 2nd hand ones. If you hear of a belly tank going spare, please let me know.
I got about 6 hours in AM last leave, looking forward to a lot more this time home (once Ive renewed my medical).
Did AM have wing tanks already or are you going to get new ones fabricated or were you REALLY lucky and found some 2nd hand ones. If you hear of a belly tank going spare, please let me know.
I got about 6 hours in AM last leave, looking forward to a lot more this time home (once Ive renewed my medical).
Thread Starter
Unfortunately, after flying back from Sleap & Sherburn-in-Elmet, AM was not looking as pristine as she is in the pictures. Large streaks of oil decorated the cowling emanating from the nose bowl / side panel joint around the level of the crankshaft / propellor. It was probably just a teaspoonfull but oil spreads everywhere when exposed to rapidly moving air.
Uh oh, crankshaft oil seal gone, major expense approaching at the speed of light methinks. Frantic call to Mr. Vintec who reasures me by telling me the Cirrus doesn't have a positive, conventional seal on the crankshaft. It has a flinger running in an annulus which collects any oil migrating along the shaft and drains it back to the crankcase. Why's it leaking then qouth I? Your crankcase is getting pressurised says he. Possibly the piston rings or more likely the exhaust valves cos it's been a while since the old girl had a top overhaul. Then the lightbulb over my head illuminates. Would fitting a silencer contribute to it says I. It would indeed says he. Major sigh of relief from yours truly.
Rats, means I'm going to have to remove my nice new silencer which had reduced the sound levels considerably. I could hear the valve gear clattering away at idle, marvellous. I'll still have to get the valves and / or rings done but at least it won't make a mess of my cowling in the interim period. Plus it will restore the classic bark that characterises an exhaust 'system' which consists of four 2" diameter unsilenced stub pipes each hanging off a 1 litre cylinder
Uh oh, crankshaft oil seal gone, major expense approaching at the speed of light methinks. Frantic call to Mr. Vintec who reasures me by telling me the Cirrus doesn't have a positive, conventional seal on the crankshaft. It has a flinger running in an annulus which collects any oil migrating along the shaft and drains it back to the crankcase. Why's it leaking then qouth I? Your crankcase is getting pressurised says he. Possibly the piston rings or more likely the exhaust valves cos it's been a while since the old girl had a top overhaul. Then the lightbulb over my head illuminates. Would fitting a silencer contribute to it says I. It would indeed says he. Major sigh of relief from yours truly.
Rats, means I'm going to have to remove my nice new silencer which had reduced the sound levels considerably. I could hear the valve gear clattering away at idle, marvellous. I'll still have to get the valves and / or rings done but at least it won't make a mess of my cowling in the interim period. Plus it will restore the classic bark that characterises an exhaust 'system' which consists of four 2" diameter unsilenced stub pipes each hanging off a 1 litre cylinder
Join Date: Oct 1999
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LowNSlow,
Glad to hear it's not a major problem. I wish that I could say the same about our bird we've just discovered a leak in the fuel tank. It's going to be a major job just getting the thing out to find out how bad it is
Glad to hear it's not a major problem. I wish that I could say the same about our bird we've just discovered a leak in the fuel tank. It's going to be a major job just getting the thing out to find out how bad it is
Thread Starter
Thanks Windy. I'll still have to get the valves / rings done at some point but at least it's not tomorrow! 
Sorry to hear about the fuel leak. Is it the fuselage tank that is leaking? That's a real cow of a job to remove or so I've been told. Still, at least you can change the upper engine mounting bolts when the tank is out.........
As an aside, have you heard of anybody selling a slipper (belly) tank? I watch all the usual places but have only seen one for sale since I've been looking and it had already been sold by the time I got my copy of PF.
Sorry to hear about the fuel leak. Is it the fuselage tank that is leaking? That's a real cow of a job to remove or so I've been told. Still, at least you can change the upper engine mounting bolts when the tank is out.........
As an aside, have you heard of anybody selling a slipper (belly) tank? I watch all the usual places but have only seen one for sale since I've been looking and it had already been sold by the time I got my copy of PF.