Iconic Aircraft Aviation Forum

I might have mentioned on here that I used to own an Auster MK V (ex-RAF TW502, G-AJVU, ZK-AUH). Well I didn't learn the first time and now own another one.
This is a J5F Aiglet Trainer (ZK-BBZ) which has been under rebuild in the late 90s (and I actually saw it in 1999) and hasn't flown since an accident in 1965.
The fuselage has been repaired and is nearly ready for fabric but there is still heaps to do yet.
Heres a couple of photos when I moved her to temporary storage a few weeks ago. (and now I have to do it again as i have rented a hangar.......................well half of one)




Thats me second from left with the stupid "I own an aeroplane" grin








Got a few looks going down the road!
I got a load of parts with her too some not for this model Auster so will have parts to trade hopefully. Any Auster owner/fans on here?
Baz

Can't wait to see the progress on this. Nice one mate

You just wanted to show us your Airfix kit is bigger than ours!

Good for you, Baz. Looking forward to the updates.

Great project, keep us updated. All the best with it.

Jim.

Keep us updated Baz. Do you have a website?

Ian

MOD wrote:Keep us updated Baz. Do you have a website?

Ian

Not a website .....................................yet but a thread on Wings over New Zealand Copy and paste if it doesn't work:
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?bo ... read=13929

Thanks Baz. An interesting read. Good luck. Will you repost the link as work progresses and more photos are uploaded?

BTW Baz do you know what is happening with the Mossie restoration? I can't find anything recent here.


Thanks Ian

The same friend of ours that saved the A1 lightning cockpit has an Auster. Are you doing the work yourself Baz?

IBW the last I heard on the Mozzie was they hoped to fly it at Easter but it wasn't going to be ready in time and they then turned the priority to another a/c.

Mayfly wrote:The same friend of ours that saved the A1 lightning cockpit has an Auster. Are you doing the work yourself Baz?

IBW the last I heard on the Mozzie was they hoped to fly it at Easter but it wasn't going to be ready in time and they then turned the priority to another a/c.

Blimey, what can be MORE IMPORTANT than a MOSQUITO!

Obviously something that would bring the money in I expect. I understand that because the Mozzie wouldn't be ready for display this season they delayed the work, but it's only heresay.

I realised it had been a while since I'd posted any updates on my Auster rebuild. I actually own TWO of the fecking things now! AND its a J5F as well. Sad story as the second one actually crashed last July, fortunately without harming the owner.
This Auster was rebuilt in 1979 after years in storage after a crash in the mid 1960s (similar story to my girl)however she had a modern O-320 Lycoming installed rather than the original Gipsy Major.
Due to a bit of a miscalculation the engine was a bit too far back and she could no longer be aerobatic.
Anyway due to an engine failure during a go-around at his (hilly!) farm strip ZK-BRA ended up vertical in a pine forest and very bent.
However there are lots and lots of good parts on her and most importantly for me the starboard undercarriage leg is un-damaged . I only had two left hand (long series) legs and I despaired that I would get the other side. Also the wing struts on that side and , to a certain extent, the wing are in good shape.
Plus the owner had just put new tyres on so a score there!
Here are her sad remains in her hangar when I went to view her:








Apart from the altimeter and the rear seatbelts which the owner kept for his next aircraft (a Bearhawk) everything in the cockpit is there. As I am aiming for an original Instrument fit I will sell the modern instruments. I did score a very nice P11 Compass and a radio.
However I had already bought a P11 from the UK on eBay so now I have two of the beasts!




Now I live in Christchurch in the South Island but BRA was siting in a hangar near Gisborne. Its about 2000Km round trip by car so............Roadtrip!!
This was a real Boys Own adventure with stolen trailers, blown turbos the works!
Here's the link to Operation BRA:
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?bo ... read=17564

Baz, I think you have your work cut out on this job!

Excellent. More updates and pics at your convenience sir
Good luck with it mate

Not sure how I missed this thread .... Look forward to more photos and updates...

Mackrick wrote:Not sure how I missed this thread .... Look forward to more photos and updates...

Simple, you went AWOL!

Thought I'd caught up on most threads .....need to do more home work.

I am currently upgrading the Gipsy major 1 (130HP) to a 1C (145HP) I have all the bits needed except for one Alloy cylinder head. If anyone has one or knows where one is please let me know.

Small update. The New Zealand branch of the International Auster Owners Club is now a bit more alive. We had a get together at Ashburton airfield to coincide with the newest and youngest Auster owner arriving to pick up his Auster (on a trailer). I like his choice as he bought J5F BCK. Less an engine and prop but this is a very tidy example, being owned by the Vincent family who have had around 3 Austers.


And my J5F is slowly progressing. Here I trial fit the seat structure(the black bit). It's Winter here now so not as keen to visit the hangar (it's been a -3 or -4 degee frost the last two morning and the same tomorrow. Brrrr).
I have also got my hands on a Gipsy Major 1C in Canada. It's complete but not a runner but it has all the important valve gear I need and Alloy heads (so that make s 9 I have now!!

Fettling .. I just love updates on Fettling

Realised I hadn't updated in a while..like three years! Life and building a new house has a way of tripping up the aircraft restorer.
Work has ground to a halt this year but lst job was working on the flap controls and mechanism (such as it is!) and once I have work on our old house done (as it's to be a rental) and the herculean task of unpacking years of stuff in storage I can start putting it back in the cockpit.
I had a nice surprise a couple of weeks back. A aircraft historian I know was visiting Christchurch from Auckland and he wanted to see my Auster and my friends one (T7 ex WE552 and HK4 when based in Hong Kong). He mentioned he had something for me.
It was one of my Auster's missing log books. The project came with Book 4 of 4. I now have 3 of 4!


It was in among some engine log books for a different type. Hopefully the chap he got them off might have 1 and 2! I alos like the fact my birthday is in this logbook and she flew.