Air Enthusiast 2006-05
D.Willis - Military Auster A to Z /Production and industry/ (3)
AOP.V 5404 was one of six of the variant used by the SAAF in South Africa, mainly to help train artillery personnel.
Like many foreign air arms that operated Austers, Greece used them in combat. NJ894 was one of a batch used by the Royal Hellenic Air Force during the civil war in the country following the German withdrawal
Amongst the Mk.IIIs used by the RAAF was one of the original Mk.II prototypes, MZ105, which was upgraded to Mk.III standard before being handed over to the Australians. The aircraft survived its RAAF service and still flies in private hands.
The first AOP.IIIs for the Netherlands were operated in RAF markings before adopting R-prefixed serials - R-2 was one of two later transferred to the Dutch police, both becoming PH-POL.
India and South Africa were the only export customers for new Auster AOP. Mk.9s, the latter only taking two examples. No.5413 appears to have a covered camera port under the rear cabin transparency.
Auster A.O.P.9 of the S.A.A.F., built to a specification similar to the Mk. 9 used by the British Army. Modifications include provision for an F.24 camera in rear cabin.
India's Auster AOP.9s were operated by the Indian Air Force on behalf of the Army. IN757 was the first of the variant for the country.
On a pre-delivery test flight, W4104 was one of 17 Auster J/5F Aiglet Trainers delivered to the Royal Pakistan Air Force.
With the ‘NW’ tailcode for its RANAS Nowra home base, A11-300 was one of two J/5G Autocars acquired for the RAN in 1953.
New Zealand used at least three of its Auster J/5s to train future flying-boat pilots. In addition to the floats, the aircraft were equipped with a small fin under the rear fuselage.
The majority of Portugal’s Auster D5/160 fleet was built by OGMA and served in the country's African colonies. FAP 3564 was completed in July 1963 and served in Portuguese Guinea, but is seen at Tancos, Portugal in 1970.
The Arab Legion Air Force operated four different Auster variants - A-406 was one of four Mk.6s.
Canada's Auster AOP.6s reportedly had a longer undercarriage than aircraft built for the RAF. Like the majority of the country's Austers, 16657 did not display roundels on its fuselage sides.
Belgium’s Auster AOP.6s were operated in either a silver scheme - as seen on A6 - or a green and brown camouflage.
'Gipsy Major Austers' were flown by the SAAF until the mid-1960s - 5410 was one of five delivered to the union.