Air Pictorial 1956-05

AUSTER AGRICOLA. Specially designed for aerial top-dressing work as a result of enquiries made in New Zealand about a specialist aircraft for this work, the Agricola first flew on 8th December 1955. It incorporates such refinements as built-in picket lugs and spoilers to counteract the lifting effect of gales. The dressing hopper, behind and below the pilot's seat holds 15 cwt. Simplicity is the keynote of the whole design.
Salient features: Angular fuselage with tall, humped cockpit and sloping rear deck. Small, flat, broad cowling with prominent exhausts. Large ventral hopper fairing. Big, angular fin and rudder with blunt tip and fairing from half way up leading edge. Rectangular tailplane mounted on top of fuselage. Thick low wing with wide, parallel chord centre section and equal taper to blunt tips. Fixed wide span undercarriage and steerable tail wheel.

Air Pictorial 1957-09 / J.Stevens - Farnborough 1957

The Auster Agricola.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-03 / L.Leetham - Auster notes

The view of the same configuration shows the cause of poor airflow over the tail - the levers and pulley assembly on the port fuselage.

Air Pictorial 1956-02

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-25-3   [9], G-ANYG   [9], ZK-BMI   [9]

First photograph of the Auster Agricola, which has been designed for aerial fertilising. Engine is a 240-h.p. Continental.

Aeroplane Monthly 1988-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-25-3   [9], G-ANYG   [9], ZK-BMI   [9]

The prototype Agricola in Class B markings in 1956. Although it was given the marks G-ANYG, these were never taken up. Instead it flew with the New Zealand marks ZK-BMI.
The B8 with the fin strake, small rudder and elevators of the prototype.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-03 / L.Leetham - Auster notes

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: ZK-BMI   [9], G-25-3   [9], G-ANYG   [9]

The B8 with its final tail configuration, lacking the strake but with a much larger rudder, with the elevator horns exposed and with the pulleys mounted internally. The cable runs are still external for easy maintenance.

Aeroplane Monthly 1988-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: ZK-BMI   [9], G-25-3   [9], G-ANYG   [9]

The prototype B8 Agricola wearing its New Zealand markings. It ventured only as far as Europe, on demonstrations.

Air Pictorial 1956-09 / J.Stevens - Farnborough 1956

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: ZK-BMI   [9], G-25-3   [9], G-ANYG   [9]

The dorsal fin has been removed from the Agricola. (Note the New Zealand serial ZK-BMI).

Aeroplane Monthly 1988-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: ZK-BMI   [9], G-25-3   [9], G-ANYG   [9]

Another view of the prototype B8. The pilot's cockpit was placed high enough to keep his legs out of trouble in a crash. When flying light, two passengers could be carried in the hump - hence the portholes.

Aeroplane Monthly 1988-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: ZK-BMI   [9], G-25-3   [9], G-ANYG   [9]

A B8 Agricola releases its load during a demonstration at Rearsby.

Aeroplane Monthly 1982-06 / Rearsby /Gone but not forgotten/ (13)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: ZK-BMI   [9], G-25-3   [9], G-ANYG   [9]

Auster B.8 Agricola, ZK-BMI, demonstrating its spraying capability at Rearsby in 1956. Only eight were built and ZK-BMI was dismantled at Rearsby in 1959.

Aeroplane Monthly 1977-10 / A.Hitchman - Auster ancestry (2)

Aeroplane Monthly 1977-10 / A.Hitchman - Auster ancestry (2)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-25-3   [9], G-ANYG   [9], ZK-BMI   [9]

View of the prototype Auster B.8 Agricola demonstrating its spraying capabilities. This aircraft first flew at Rearsby on December 8, 1955, with the Class B markings G-25-3. The British marks G-ANYG were not taken up and it became ZK-BMI. It was dismantled at Rearsby in 1959.

Мировая Авиация 35

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: ZK-BML

Самолет Agricola с индексом ZK-BXO, собранный в Новой Зеландии из запасных частей, служил своему владельцу до конца 1998 года, после чего был выставлен на продажу в летном состоянии.
B8 ZK-BML, fitted with internal spraybars with 48 projecting nozzles.

Air Pictorial 1958-05 / Photo Review

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: ZK-BMJ

One of the New Zealand-operated Auster Agricola crop dusters (ZK-BMJ) photographed at Rongotai, and now a dirty grey and green.

Air Pictorial 1958-07

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: G-APFZ

The elusive Agricola G-APFZ which has now appeared at Stapleford bearing Crop Culture (Aerial) Ltd.'s titling.

Aeroplane Monthly 1988-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

A B8’s quick-fill hopper could hold 144gal of insecticide or 3/4 ton of dry fertiliser.

Air Pictorial 1956-05

AUSTER AGRICOLA. Data: Manufacturers: Auster Aircraft. Power : one Continental O-470-B of 240 h.p . Dimensions : span 42 ft; length 27 ft. 6 in.; height 8 ft . 4 in . Accommodation : single seater, with two occasional rear seats. Weights: maximum 3,840 lb . ; empty 1,690 lb. Speeds : maximum 120 m.p.h.; cruising 107 m.p.h. Initial climb : 730 ft/min. Range : 260 miles. Service ceiling : 13,000 ft.