Auster A.2/45

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to meet Air Ministry Specification A.2/45 for an "air observation post" (AOP) for the British Army, the requirement was withdrawn and only two prototypes were built.^[1]

A.2/45
VL523 the second prototype
Role	Air Observation aircraft
National origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer	Auster Aircraft Limited
First flight	27 Apr 1948
Number built	2

Design and development

The Auster Model N normally known by the specification number as the A.2/45 was a strut-braced high-wing monoplane with a single DH Gipsy Queen engine, the enclosed cabin had room for a pilot and observer seated in tandem. It had a conventional landing gear with a tail wheel.

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)
• Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

• Maximum speed: 130 mph (210 km/h, 110 kn)
• Cruise speed: 122 mph (196 km/h, 106 kn)
  
• Economical cruise speed: 105 mph (91 kn; 169 km/h)
• Range: 600 mi (970 km, 520 nmi)
• 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

1. Meekcoms, K.J.; Morgan, E.B. (1994). The British aircraft specifications file : British military and commercial aircraft specifications 1920–1949. Tonbridge: Air-Britain. p. 334. ISBN 0851302203.
2. "BRITAIN'S AIRCRAFT:Auster A.2/45" (pdf). Flight: 273. 8 September 1949. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
3. Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1949). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1949–50. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. pp. 18c–19c.