NZ Auster Autocrat

[airconvair]

How many Auster Autocrat's have been operated here in NZ and how many are still in NZ.

And would it be possible for the histories of the aircraft to be posted?

[Peter Lewis]

I make it 20 locally registered all up.

ZK-AKZ ALW AOB APO AQE AQL ATH ATS AUB AUF AUG AUI AUL AUO AUX AWH AWI AWT AXO BJL

If they survived long enough, most were later converted to Gipsy Major powered Aiglet status.

ZK-AOB ATH AUF AWH & AXO are currently registered, and listed as converted to J-1B
ZK-ATS is currently registered and listed as converted to J-1N.

Others known to exist are:
ZK-AKZ conv J/1N Alpha stored at Featherston
ZK-AUO stored at Dunedin
ZK-AUX stored damaged
ZK-BJL display at Wanaka museum.

I'm not up to listing the specific histories of 20 aircraft. Is there one on particular that interests you?

[airconvair]

How about ZK-AOB and AUX?

[Peter Lewis]

[mit]

Do you have any thing on AWH?
Cheers Mit

[airconvair]

Thanks for the information flyernzl. Very much appreciated

[Peter Lewis]

[mit]

awesome thanks, you don't have any other pictures of AWH by chance?
Cheers Mit

[furyfb11]

Here's AWH at New Plymouth 13/3/83

[eieio]

Any info on the Auster operated by James Aviation[Rot] ,1959 and earlier. Colour ,red and silver. Thanks in advance as I m sure someone will know.

[Peter Lewis]

There were several:

Auster J-1 Autocrat ZK-ALW 1951-52
Taylorcraft Auster 5 ZK-AVF 1951-?
Auster J-5 ZK-AVY early 1952 (on loan from RNZAF)
Auster J-5B Autocar ZK-AYQ dates unknown
Auster J-1B Aiglet ZK-AZT 1952 - ?

[eieio]

I remember the line up at Fenton ST,as far back as when they had FIRE PATROL written on them.First flight was in one of them off Galatea. Just been told "Flying The Thermal Skies has some info.

[panther]

Hi mit. Trouble is with some of those older aircraft, there weren't too many cameras around when they were in their heyday. At least in my case. I had the greatest of pleasures flying in ZK AWH many times as a youth when my Uncle owned it. He was Morris Mee, now deceased, and lived at Becks in Central Otago. He loved flying as much as I did and I rarely had to ask him for a spin in his Auster. I lived on a farm at Ryal Bush in Southland and he used to 'drop in' and take us for a buzz before he went home. When he bought AWH it had been repainted red fuz and cream wings. I think this was after it had been repaired after a nasty one up north somewhere. After a few years he had it resprayed Red fuz and silver wings. My memory of him selling it was because he didn't want to go to the expense of fitting a radio in it and he was starting to get on a bit. It was a sad day for me and my brothers as we just loved that thing. (and still do) My bro may have the odd piccy as I remember my mum took a few back then. I will have to check.

Doug Leith (Queensland)

[mit]

Gday Doug,
As you may have guess I am the current owner and it is awesome to hear from a previous owner/admirer.
When Morris owed her did it look as in Peter's picture above? and was the interior red? as I currently think it still has the factory interior!
Its a great aeroplane and I have learn alot in the short time I have had it. If you or your brothers are every in the Manawatu I would be more than happy for you to come have a look/ fly.
Cheers Mit


upload image

[panther]

Hi Mit. No I hadn't realized you owned AWH now. I was just browsing the web and decided to see where she was now. Now to your question. Yes, the interior was all red when Morris had it. Not sure about the red up around the Flaps lever though. I don't remember that being there. And I'm not sure it was quite as bright as your picture shows. Maybe it has been redone? When Morris had it , it was painted as in the Peter Lewis Photo. Not so sure I like the spats... I used to watch the wheels turning and touching down. lol We may have another photo or two, in fact I am sure there is but they may take some tracking down after all these years. My bro says he knows of an out of focus slide and 2 other B&W piccys somewhere. I remember another where I was photographed standing in front of the plane when it was in his shed. Will have to look hard. As I said it was red and cream when he bought it and he had it repainted red and silver after a number of years of birds pooping on it. Another thing, It may have had the screen replaced? From my memory there was a small perspex plate over a small crack area. Can't see that in your photo. Any other photos you may have would be nice for us. Let me know and I will email you or provide you mine. Whatever works best.

Mate, if I had the money, I would be over there in a flash for that Ride Woohoo...
I now live in Grantham, Qld. the township that was destroyed by flash flood, however we are in a high area and only lost power and roads. Very lucky.

Doug

[chippey]

Hello Mit,
I could not resist making contact. I am Dougs brother. As he said we have always been interested in ZK AWH as it was the first plane we flew in as young boys. And what an experience it was! You asked for more photos. I have some but they are at home in NZ and I am in Ukraine for now. Doug has some copies. But did you know that there is a good photo of ZK AWH in England ,as G-AHAW,before it was converted? Photo is copyrighted so not sure where it can be posted. Smaller thumbnail maybe ok.
Regards,
Willy

[chippey]

[mit]

Hi Willy and Doug,

Yes you are most likely right about it have its interior done. I have just brought a picture off trade me taken At Invercargill 26/1/1963, I haven't had a chance to scan it yet but this is the pic off trademe,



Possibly before it was repainted?
As for the spats someone (I can't remember who) spend considerable amount of time and effort making it into the quietest and fastest Auster in the country. These improvements include a foxmoth exhaust pipe, fairings and bees wax around all the exposed bold heads.
Yes the windshield has been replaced as there is no patch on it.
My email is on my profile, drop me an email and I'll have a look for other pictures.

Yes I had seen that picture as G-AHAW, and I determined (but i can't remember how, I think somewhere it says it is taken at Cambridge England) that is only about 2-4months old in that picture!
Any picture you can find I would be very interested in getting a scan of if you don't mind. I understand if you request they not be published.

Kind Regards Mit

[mit]

Better yet I have found the picture again; G-AHAW Auster J/1B Aiglet (c/n 1865) at Cambridge 9 April 1946, as it was first registered on the 5-3-1946 it is just over a month old it the picture!

[chippey]

Hello Mit, yes it would be easy to find on Google. Some other guys may be also interested in the Auster site as there is a good gallery of early Austers. You could email Richard Riding for a better photo as it must be the first photo of the plane. He may be interested in a new owners photo.
The photo is on a page at www.auster.ukf.net/photo_gallery3.htm . Not difficult to remove the copyright mark but better to respect the owners wishes for now.
It is great to see new photos of ZK AWH as I have always been interested in the plane. I took 2 B/W photos with an old Browney camera but can't access them just now.
Many thanks for posting your photos. The cabin shot is very good. The instrument panel has been replaced but looks very tidy compared to others I have seen. I remember it being black.
It would be interesting to have a book or site dedicated to Austers. I remember reading about a deer hunter who installed a powerfull engine in an Auster for quick takeoffs but had trouble with the Authorities as the airframe was not 'strong' enough for the engine.
I am pleased that ZK AWH is in good hands and not stored away as pieces in a dusty shed.
Regards, Willy (In Kyiv, Ukraine)