The Auster by Adrian M. Balch
Stemming from the original American Taylorcraft design, the British Auster is arguably as well known and famous as the Tiger Moth, being built at the right time to provide a vital role during WW2 in the Air Observation Post role, spotting and reporting artillery positions, particularly during D-Day and through decades of post-war conflicts worldwide. Founded in 1938 at the Britannia Works, Thurmaston near Leicester, England, as Taylorcraft Aero-planes (England) Limited, they made 1,604 high-wing Taylorcraft Auster monoplanes which were built during World War II for the armed forces of the UK and Canada. The type has proved to be versatile and adaptable to worldwide conditions being fitted with wheels, floats or skis as per the Trans-Antarctic Expeditions, which are all recorded within. This is another comprehensive Warpaint book by Adrian Balch, which covers the design and de-velopment of the Auster, highlighting the variants that were used in military service by the RAF, Army Air Corps and air arms around the world, culminating in the variants built by BEAGLE. Nearly 150 photographs, many rare and never seen before, illustrate the type in military service, supported by 13 pages of colour profile drawings and plans by artist Sam Pearson.
Warpaint No. 131: The Auster in British Military & Foreign Air Arm Service by Adrian M. Balche traces the origins, development, and military deployment of Auster light aircraft. It traces the history from the original American Taylorcraft design through British aerial reconnaissance aircraft to the postwar variants produced by BEAGLE.
The book covers service with the RAF, the Army Air Corps, and foreign air forces. It also details various operational configurations—including those with wheeled landing gear, floats, or skis—and the role of the Auster in observation and artillery fire control.
Contents of the publication
- Author: Adrian M. Balch
- 64 pages
- more than 150 period photographs, including a number of rare shots
- Color side views and drawings for modelers
- text in English
This publication is suitable for aviation historians, modelers seeking reference material for paint schemes and markings, and anyone interested in British liaison and observation aircraft.
| Category: | Publications |
|---|---|
| EAN: | 8599260021303 |
