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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 1751.PDF
FLIGHT, 20 October 1949 515 THE VERSATILE AUSTER Standard Model Qukkly Convertible for Crop- spraying : Dusting Equipment Interchangeable : Floatplane Approved "FttfW" Photographs te tfw's view tire spray bars and the method of bracing can be clearly seen FOLLOWING their successful modification of an AusterAutocrat for crop-dusting (see Flight, March 17th,1949), Auster Aircraft, Ltd., have now developed an installation for spraying crop-treatment chemicals in liquid iorm from a 48^-gallon tank fitted at the rear of the cock- pit of a standard Autocrat. Viewed from the front, the aircraft has an oddly biplane-like appearance, for the liquid is forced through 14 nozzles mounted on a spray-bar extending across the complete wing-span and fitted approxi- mately three feet below the mainplanes. Pressure for the spray is obtained from a windmill- driven pump attached slightly below and to the rear of the port cabin-entrance door. The tank is replenished from a filler-funnel in the Perspex roof of the cabin, but on later models a filler-tube will project through the side of the fuselage to avoid the necessity for any orifice in the roof. Spraying is controlled by two pilot-operated cocks mounted on the floor of the cockpit. The suitability of the Autocrat for crop-spraying was very much in evidence at a demonstration at Auster's fac- tory at Rearsby last week. The aircraft used was the first model to be converted and was due for delivery to Boston Air Transport, Ltd. Handling characteristics at speeds well below 60 m.p.h. were most impressive, especially in view of the low climbing turns and steep pull-ups often required in low-level crop-spraying work. Apart from a slight reduction in maximum speed, the aerodynamic characteristics of the Autocrat are unaffected by the new installation. Both spraying and crop-dusting fittings are interchangeable, and can be easily removed to convert the aircraft to its normal passenger role. Pas- . The chemical tank is easily removable, and on later models dove the filler funnel fitted through the fuselage side '. The windmill-driven pressure pump does not hamper access to the cabin. Later versions may have the pump enclosed senger-carrying capacity, incidentally, has now been increased by a modification which provides a rear seat for two average-sized persons if the maximum available pas- senger load of 608 lb is not exceeded, and if the operator is content with an all-up weight of 1,850 lb on only 100 h.p. Operating cost of the Autocrat (12s to 15s for petrol and oil per hour), is estimated to be cheaper than that of normal ground-spraying techniques, considering that, with the air- craft flown 5~8ft above the crop, 100-150 acres can be cov«red with high-density spray in one hour. THE SEABORNE MARK 5 A.R.B. approval has now been obtained for the modifi- cations of the Auster 5 floatplane, recently tested at Beau- maris. Except for slight reductions in maximum and cruis- ing speeds, the characteristics of the seaborne Auster are almost identical with those of the landplane version. This aircraft, incidentally, is one of the two being carried by the survey ship John Biscoc which left Southampton last week to rescue the eleven scientists marooned in the Ant- arctic. A photo of the aircrew members of the expedition appears on page 540. Performance Data: Auster 5 Floatplane " ' ; (All-up weight, 2,100lb) Take-off time (zero wind) 37 sees. Take-off distance (zero wind) 440 yards. Take-off time 20-25 sees. Take-off distance 250-350 yards. Initial rate of climb (at 65 m.p.h. I,A.S.) 400 ft/min. . Service ceiling 10,-oooft Max. speed at 1,oooft 104 m.p.h. (I.A.S.) Cruising speed at 1,000ft at 2,400 r.p.m. 92 m.p.h. (I.A.S.) Staling., speed—flaps- up .. 44 m.p.h. (I.A.S.) .-.-.•; Y .' —Saps fully down 37 m.p.h. (I.A.S.)
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