Dutch Modelling and Aviation

In Memoriam

Klaas Willem Jonker
(Wilko)
† April 30, 2018

On Monday, April 30, 2018, Wilko Jonker passed away after a long illness at the age of 58. He leaves behind a wife and two children. The Dutch military aviation and plastic model building were his hobby and on this website he has shared all the knowledge he has gathered about it over the many years. His hobby was able to distract him from the raging disease in his body until the last week of his life. The contacts with other hobbyists were a major support for him.

Taylorcraft Auster Mk. III

Details
Hits: 22342

Article Index

History

The origin of the Auster refers back to an American sport aircraft, the Taylorcraft Auster B.
The English factory Taylorcraft Aeroplanes Limited acquired the license rights in 1939 and built Model C with a Lycoming 0-145 A2 of 55 hp. The Auster Plus Model C was a version with a 65 hp Lycoming engine.

Soon a version, designated Model Plus D, equipped a British engine, a Blackburn Cirrus Minor I 90 hp, was developed. This engine was not only powerful, but also quieter .
Of this version over 100 examples were built and it entered service as Auster I in 1941, a so-called Air Observation Post (AOP) aircraft for use by the British Army.

The Auster II, a version with an American Lycoming 0-290 engine,  never entered production because the engine was hardly available at that time.

This led to the development of the Auster Mark III which had the Lycoming engine replaced by a DeHavilland Gipsy Major. Noteworthy were the individual exhaust pipes for each cylinder .
The next version, the Auster Mark IV was provided with an enlarged cabin and was equipped with the engine Lycoming 0-290.

The Auster Mark V was a blind fly version of the Auster IV.

Shortly after the end of the war the Auster VI was developed from the Auster IV/V and was fitted an extended undercarriage and "airfoil flaps", so that it had better starting characteristics than the previous versions .

As an engine DeHavilland Gipsy Major was applied and further the (internal) fuel supply was increased.

During and immediately after World War II, the Auster was used for artillery observation, evacuation and light transport. Since the 60s of the 20th century, these tasks were mainly done by helicopters.

Versions.

Taylorcraft Plus C:
Original civil version with a Lycoming 0-145 engine - A2 , 23 examples built .
Taylorcraft Plus C2:
C Plus with 90 hp Cirrus Minor I built for the Royal Air Force .
Taylorcraft Plus D:
C Plus with a 90 hp Cirrus Minor I engine , built nine pieces .
  • Taylorcraft Auster I - Military Plus D , built 100 examples.
  • Taylorcraft Auster II - Auster I with a Lycoming 0-290 engine .
  • Taylorcraft Auster III - Auster I with a DeHavilland Gipsy Major engine, built 470 examples.
Taylorcraft Auster IV:
three seater version 0-290 engine and larger cabin with a Lycoming, 254 examples built.
  • Taylorcraft Auster V - Auster IV with blind flight instruments , built about 800 examples.
Taylorcraft Auster Agricola:
for agricultural purposes

 

Technical information Auster III
Dimensions:
Length: 7,23 m Wingspan: 10,97 m
Height: 2,44 m Wing area: 17 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 495 kg Max. start weight: 770 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 195 km/hr Climbing speed: - m/min
Cruising speed: 175 km/hr    
Range: 475 km Service ceiling: - m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One DeHavilland Gipsy Major rated 150 hp
Crew: -
Armament: None

 


In service with RNlAF, RNlNAS and RAF.

In (Dutch) service with RAF.

in January 1945 the Dutch Auster squadron RAF became operational. It was equipped with 19 Auster III's which were mainly used for liaison purposes.

Taylorcraft Auster van 1316 (Dutch) Comm. Flight. UK.
Taylorcraft Auster of 1316 (Dutch) Comm. Flight. UK.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Een Auster met Engelse kentekens en een oranje driehoek is geland bij Voorburg. Een man staat op het punt de propeller aan te slaan.
An Auster with RAF markings an Dutch orange triangle near Voorburg.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Auster AOP Mk.3. Eerste Auster van No. 6 Dutch Auster Squadron landt in Amsterdam, 5 of 6 mei 1945. Vlieger kapitein Nienhuis.
The first Auster of No. 6 Dutch Auster Squadron landed in Amsterdam on May 5 or 6, 1945; F/O kapitein Nienhuis.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Vliegopleiding V.V.O.1,1946 Woensdrecht , Luchtmacht Auster op bezoek met Mark van Wijk die later op de Karel Doorman met een Firefly verongelukte
Woensdrecht 1946, Auster Mk. III.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 

In service with RNlAF.

p.m.

N02 02 05

Auster Mk.III of SKHV, photographed August 2002 at Airshow Lelystad.

 

Een Auster uit de begintijd.
Early Dutch Auster .
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Taylorcraft Auster Mk.III (1948-1956), R-9 op het MVKV
Taylorcraft Auster Mk.III (1948-1956), R-9.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Auster AOP Mk.3.
Auster AOP Mk.3.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Auster AOP Mk.3.
Taylorcraft Auster Mk.III.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Auster AOP Mk.3.
Auster AOP Mk.3.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Auster AOP Mk.3.
Taylorcraft Auster Mk.III.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Auster AOP Mk.3 voor hangaar.
Auster AOP Mk.3.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Twee Austers AOP Mk.3 in formatievlucht in Nederlands-Indië.
Two Austers AOP Mk.3 flying over Netherlands- East-Indies.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Buiklanding van de Auster AOP Mk.3 R-15 in een weiland: beschadigde cockpit.
Belly landing of Auster AOP Mk.3 R-15: damaged cockpit.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Buiklanding van de Auster AOP Mk.3 R-15 in een weiland: afgebroken landingsgestel en beschadigde cockpit.
Bellyl landing of Auster AOP Mk.3 R-15: broken undercarriage and damage cockpit.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 

In service with RNlNAS.

p.m.

Taylorcraft Auster Mk.III (1948-1954), Auster 1-34
Taylorcraft Auster Mk.III (1948-1954), Auster 1-34 of the RNlNAS.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Auster AOP Mk.3 op de grond.
Auster AOP Mk.3 of the RNlNAS.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Taylorcraft Auster Mk.III (1948-1954), Auster 21-31 op MVKV met Ltzv 20c W.P.Versteeg
Taylorcraft Auster Mk.III (1948-1954), Auster 21-31 at naval air station Valkenburg with Ltzv 20c W.P.Versteeg.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 


Serial overview RNlAF, RNlNAS and RAF.

Serial overview RNlAF.

Serial
Serial
 RAF Serial
RAF Serial
 Squadron- code
Squadron- code
 Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
 Date in service
Date in service
 Date out of service
Date out of service
 Notes
notes
R-1 NJ952   571   31-03-1948 Written off.
R-2 MZ138   274     Preserved; Later PH-POL (2).
R-3 MZ216   328   25-06-1952 Written off.
R-4 NJ957   577     To MLD in September 1948 as 1-31 ; later PH-UFM
R-5 MZ167 8A-1 292     Some sources state that this aircraft was MZ166; is current PH-NGF
R-6 MZ234   348     To PH-NGG
R-7 NX537   462     To PH-POL (1)
R-8 MZ107   240   29-10-1952 Written off.
R-9 NJ961   581     To MLD in September 1948 as 1-32
R-10 MZ179   304     To PH-NGL
R-11 MZ236   350/TAY 62     To PH-NGH; Still exists as 'MZ236'
R-12 MZ170   295     To PH-NGI
R-13 NJ916   546     To MLD as 1-33 in September 1948; Later PH-UFP, G-ATAX, PH-UFP
R-14 MZ140   276     To MLD in September 1948 as 1-34
R-15 MZ253   367   18-03-1954 Written off.
R-16 MZ141   277     Out of service
R-17 NX534 8A-2 458      
R-18 MZ231   344     Later PH-NGK
R-19 NJ897 8A-7 706      
R-20 NJ972 8A-4 375      
R-51 MT389   481      
R-56 MZ143   279      
R-61 NJ801   621      
R-63 MZ224   337      
R-64 MZ219   332      
R-70 MZ125   260     To PK-UPC
R-73 MZ136   272      
R-76 MT442   522      
R-80 MZ192   317      
  MZ110   243      
  MZ126   261      
  MZ145   281      
  MZ164   289      
  MZ178   303      
  MZ189   314      
  MZ194   319      
  MZ214   326     Later PK-UPB
  MZ223   336      
  MZ229   342      
  MZ239   353      
  MZ250   364      
  NJ756   599     Later PK-UPA
  NJ779   609      
  NJ818   651      
  NJ870   688      
  NJ871   695      
  NJ896   710      
  NJ918   549      
  NJ971   374      
  NJ985   345      
  NX486   422      
  NX545   471      

 

Serial overview RNlNAS.

Serial 2nd Serial RAF Serial Constr. nr. Date in service Date out of service Notes
1-31 21-31 NJ957 577 27-09-1948 05-11-1953 Taken over from LSK, ex-R-4. Discharged
1-32 21-32 NJ961 581 27-09-1948 18-07-1953 Taken over from LSK, ex R-9. Discharged and sold to NLS (PH-UFM)
1-33 21-33 NJ916 546 23-09-1948 21-08-1956 Taken over from LSK, ex R-13. Discharged
1-34 21-34 MZI40 276 27-09-1948 28-01-1953 Taken over from LSK, ex-R-14. Discharged and sold to NLS (PH-UFP)

 

Serial overview Dutch Auster Flight RAF

Serial Constr. nr. Date in service Date out of service Notes
MZ179       In use with Dutch Auster Flight RAF; post war R-10 RNlAF.
NX536       In use with Dutch Auster Flight RAF; post war R-7, RnlAF.

 


1/72nd Scale

Kits

  • Airfix
    • Kit 61069: Auster AOP VI; This kit needs to be modified for an Auster III
    • Kit 01023: Auster Antarctic (same kit Auster AOP kit)
  • Kiwi Resin Models
    • Kit Auster III: A resin kit of a Auster III
      • Kiwi also released models of other version of the Auster, such as Auster J1, Atlantic Mk VII, Auster (AOP) Mark VI/VII and Auster IV/V
  • AZ Models
    • Kit 7264: Auster AOP Mk.III/K-61 with decals for a Dutch Auster.
      • AZ also released models of other versions of the Auster, such as Auster V and Auster VI

 

Taylorcraft Auster Mk III AKleijn
A model of a Auster III. The kit used is a converted Airfix kit, built by Adri Kleijn.
Taylorcraft Auster Mk III AZ Model AKleijn
A model of a Auster III. The kit used is a converted Airfix kit, built by Adri Kleijn.

 

Modelling add-on

  • --
    • Set --: --

Decals

  • Dutch Decal
    • Set 72070: Decals voor onder andere Hudson 320 sq, Spitfire MKV, IX, XVI 322 sq.
    • Set 72059: ‘Sharkmouth’: P-51, P-40N, Liberator, F-16. Auster LSK.
  • FlevoDecal
    • Set FD72-004: Set met toestellen van de TransVA, o.a. met een Auster III-
    • Set FD72-001: Royal Netherlands Navy part 1; o.a voor 1 van de 4 Taylorcraft Auster Mk.III's: U-31, U-32, U-33 or U-34.

1/48th Scale

Kits

  • Sword
    • Kit 48002E: An injection moulded kit of the Auster Mk. III

Modelling add-on

  • --
    • Set --: --

Decals

  • Dutch Decal
    • Set 48041: Auster LSK , F-16 KLu 323 Sqn, ‘Sharkmouth’.
  • FlevoDecal
    • Set FD48-013: Aircraft of the Auri (B25, P51, C47, L4, Auster MKIII)

 


Scheme Colour name FS number BS number Humbrol XtraColor Vallejo Model Color Vallejo Model Air Hataka
Standard #1 RAF standard Overall camouflage pattern Dark Earth   BS:450 29 X002 70.921 71.323 ~206
Dark Green   BS:641 163 X001 70.892 71.324 ~143
Remaining aircraft after complete overhaul in the Netherlands, both KLu and MLD, and in Dutch East Indies.
Standard #2 Overall Aluminium dope ~7178   191 / 56 X216 70.864 71.062  

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

Auster III RAF
Auster III Dutch Auster squadron RAF: standard RAF scheme.

 

Auster III
Auster III: original scheme with often RAF fin flash..
Auster III
Auster III: with white serials.
Auster III
Auster III: Overall aluminium dope.
Auster III
Auster III: Overall aluminium dope .
Auster III SMALL
Auster III: Overall aluminium dope.

 

Auster III SMALL
Auster III Marine Luchtvaartdienst (Dutch naval Air Service): Overall aluminium dope.

 

Auster III SKHV
Auster-III SKHV.

 

 


Literature.

Van Brik tot Starfighter H. Hooftman   1965 La Rivière en Voorhoeve - Zwolle
Zestig jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld. Hugo Hooftman Pag. 100 1977 Uitgever Europese Bibliotheek Plaats: Zaltbommel
Nederlandse Militaire Luchtvaart in Beeld., deel 2 Hugo Hooftman Pag. 30 - 49 1978 Uitgever Europese Bibliotheek; Zaltbommel
Dutch Military Aviation 1945-1978 Paul A. Jackson Pag. 42 - 43; 60 - 61; 125 1978 Uitgever Midland Countries Publications, Leicester
Nederlandse Austers Nico Geldhof & Herman Dekker   1983 Uitgever La Riviere & Voorhoeve n.v. Plaats: Zwolle
Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht Willem Helfferich Pag. 41 1983 Uitgever Unieboek b.v., Houten
KLu Vliegtuigen W. Schoenmaker/Th. Postma Pag. 81 1987 Uitgave: De Alk Alkmaar
Luchtvaart; 11e jaargang nummer 10: Foto van Auster op de kop   Pag. 259 1994 Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel
Squadrons van de Koninklijke Luchtmacht (derde herzien druk) Willem Helfferich Pag. 25 1994 Uitgevers Wyt, Rotterdam
Camouflage en Kentekens J.Greuter e.a.   1997 Bonneville – Bergen (NH)
85 JAAR Marineluchtvaartdienst in beeld: Van Farman tot NH 90 Helikopter Peter Korbee Pag. 98 - 99 2002 Uitgever Korbee MLD Promotie, Valkenburg

 

Websites.

--

 

Language Switcher

Most Read