The Auster A.2/45 was a British late 1940s single-engined high-wing air observation monoplane built by Auster Aircraft Limited at Rearsby, Leicestershire. It was designed and built to meet Air Ministry Specification A.2/45 for an "air observation post" (AOP) for the British Army, the requirement was withdrawn and only two prototypes were built.[1]
The British Air Ministry Specification A.2/45 was issued on 20 July 1945 for an Air Observation Aircraft to meet Operational Requirement OR.176 in particularly for operation from unprepared landing grounds.[1] Contracts for four prototypes from both Auster and the Heston Aircraft Company were placed on 21 August 1945, this was later reduced to just two aircraft from each company.[1] The Heston competitor for the specification was the Heston JC.6.
The first prototype Auster A.2/45 VL522 flew on 27 April 1948. The Air Ministry requirement was cancelled on 20 March 1950 and only the two prototypes were built.[1]
Specifications
Data from Flight 8 September 1949,[2] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1949–50[3]
General characteristics
Crew: 2 (pilot, observer)
Length: 30 ft 1 in (9.17 m)
Wingspan: 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)
Height: 8 ft 4 in (2.54 m)
Wing area: 278 sq ft (25.8 m2)
Gross weight: 3,365 lb (1,526 kg)
Fuel capacity: 24 imp gal (29 US gal; 110 L) in a port wing root fuel tank, with provision for an identical tank in the starboard wing root for ferry flights.
Powerplant: 1 × de Havilland Gipsy Queen 34 6-cylinder inverted air-cooled inline piston engine, 250 hp (190 kW)
Ferry range: 1,100 mi (1,800 km, 960 nmi) with optional second tank
Service ceiling: 15,500 ft (4,700 m) service ceiling
Rate of climb: 740 ft/min (3.8 m/s) initial rate of climb
Take off run to clear 50 m (160 ft): 330 yd (300 m)
Landing distance from 50 m (160 ft): 220 yd (200 m)
See also
Heston A.2/45 designed to the same Air Ministry Specification
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Auster A2/45.
^ abcdMeekcoms, K.J.; Morgan, E.B. (1994). The British aircraft specifications file : British military and commercial aircraft specifications 1920–1949. Tonbridge: Air-Britain. p. 334. ISBN0851302203.