AUSTRALIAN AUSTERS - 1970s

Commencing with WA based Austers I photographed when transferred to Perth, then Austers seen on trips to the Eastern States


Auster J.4 Archer VH-PJN on a farm at Willyabrup WA in May 1968. Interestingly, in the next shed was another Auster VH-PJN
of a different model, which was a rebuild project acquired from South Australia. Cream with red and black trim
Another J.4 Archer VH-CGF caught visiting Perth Airport in May 1971. Blue and white

Auster J.5 Adventurer VH-KBM at Busselton WA in October 1969

J.5 Adventurer VH-KSV at an airshow at Beverley WA in November 1970

Auster J.1B Aiglet VH-SHS at Katanning WA in October 1973. Mustang yellow with green trim

J.5 Adventurer VH-KAV warms up for a late afternoon flight at Kalgoorlie WA in September 1973

J.5G Autocar VH-KCG was among visiting aircraft at a farm clearance auction at Benjaberring WA in April 1972

Auster J.5F Aiglet Trainer VH-UEA at Jandakot in February 1970. Turquois with red and white trim

J.5B Autocar VH-KAL arrives at an airshow at Northam WA in November 1971.  Red and white

VH-KAL, now silver from head to toe, arrives at Serpentine WA in March 1979

Modified Auster 5 VH-CKD parked on burnt grass at Beverley WA in November 1974. The original Lycoming engine is
replaced by a DH Gipsy Major and the rear cabin military glasshouse has been rebuilt into a civil style rear window

Auster J.2 Arrow VH-AFD at Bruce Rock WA in November 1976

J.1B Aiglet VH-KAB at Serpentine WA in March 1979, in a pleasing paint scheme

 The one and only Auster J.5H VH-KCO, at Northam WA in November 1977, visiting from a farm at Ballidu.
This designation was for a J.5G Autocar fitted with a 145hp Blackburn Cirrus Major 


Auster J.1 Autocrat VH-ALM at Berwick Vic in March 1976

Auster J.5B Autocar VH-SNK arrives at Berwick Vic in February 1975

 Turiara Station, via Coonamble NSW in May 1975, at a weekend get-together for Auster owners in the district.
L-R: Auster J.1N Alpha VH-KCX, Auster 4 VH-AZI and Auster 3 VH-MBB (ex RAAF A11-48)
A classic Australian outback scene on Turiara Station, as Auster owners chat in the shade of Auster 3 VH-MBB

During the evening BarBQ, the locals' knowledge of the Auster scene solved the fate of many Austers on our What Happened To? list. 
Next morning I shot Garth Busby's VH-KCX from Auster 4 VH-AZI flown by Lloyd Parsons


Auster 5 VH-AZV was rolled out for photographs on Penjobi Station via Springsure Qld in June 1975.
Its log books confirmed it was originally RAF Auster Mk.V TW371
Auster J.1B Aiglet VH-KBG on Paynes Lagoon Station, Mingela via Charters Towers Qld in April 1978.
Owner John Nicholas was pleased to show us his 1951 Auster and took her up for a local flight

Auster J.5F Aiglet Trainer VH-BYX was retired at Mareeba Qld in August 1974 after being based on Mount Mulgrave Station.
. The unusual transparent lower panels in both cabin doors were probably to improve inspection of stock and ground facilities


Another former RAF Auster 5 VH-PUF seen on owner Ray Fidock's farm The Retreat near Minore NSW in April 1978.
It retains the military rear cabin glasshouse, which some owners preferred to fabric over

A colourful pair of Autocars at Berwick Vic, February 1975. VH-ENB was a J.5B, while VH-WCR was a J.5P

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