Auster 7C Specifications

AUSTER 7C

RNZAF Official

Design: C G Taylor

Company: Auster Aircraft Co

Developed from: Auster 5

Wing Span: 36’ 0” 10.97 M

Wing Area: 184 Sq Ft 17.10 Sq M

Length: 23’ 9” 7.23 M

Height: 8’ 4.1/2” 2.55 M

Ceiling: 12,000’ 3,660 M

Speed: 122 MPH

Range: 315 Miles 504 Km

T/O Weight: 2,122 Lb 962 Kg

Crew: 1 Pilot

Passengers: Up to 2

Role: Arctic Flight 1956 to 1960
Later Army Liasion
Fire Patrol
Cadet Flying
Utility

Armament: Up to 2 x 60 L Drums of Diesel Under Wing
Up to 4 x 25 Lb Smoke and Flame Marker Bombs Under Wing

Total Manufactured: 77

First Flight: 1 May 1947

Years Served: 1956 to 1966

Qty Served: 1

Tail Nos: NZ 1707

RNZAF Official

ENGINE

Type: De Havilland Gipsy Major V11
4 Cylinder In Line Inverted Air Cooled

Horse Power: 140 HP

Bore: 4.646 “ 118 mm

Stroke: 5.512” 150mm

Volume: 373.6 cu in 6.124 Ltr

Compression ratio: 6 : 1

Max RPM: 2400 RPM

Take Off Power: 140 BHP

Fuel: 73 Octane

Oil: OMD 370

Length: 50.35” 1279mm

Width: 20” 508mm

Height: 32” 815mm

Weight: 330 Lb

Power to Weight Ratio: 1 Lb = .424 BHP

Production Started on Gypsy Series 1927

            RNZAF Official

The other aircraft in the photo is the RNZAF De Havilland Beaver NZ 6001 later renumbered NZ 6010

Notes:

As WE 563 [constructors no] it was a reserve A/C for the British Antarctic Expedition in early 1950s , it was Struck Off Charge from the R A F on 28 May 1956, purchased by the R N Z A F for 8,696 – 17 – 3 pounds .

Erected [re-assembled] and test flown at Wigram at 1600Hrs on 7 Aug 1956, initially flew on wheels only, but by 15 Aug it had skis attached.

During training for the Antarctic on Tasman Glacier the A/C overturned, it was repaired on site and flew back to Wigram on 31 Aug.

Shipped on board the HMNZS Endeavour on 17 Dec 1956, the wing was damaged as the ship was leaving harbor, repaired during shipment to Scott Base.

First flew in the Antarctic on 29 Jan 1957, returned to N Z in Mar 1958 , back to Antarctica 4 Dec 1959, finally returning to N Z at the end of the 1960 season.

Crashed into Kaipara Harbour on 22 Aug 1966, Pilot was O K, retrieved by RNZAF Iroquois, the A/C was written off at Auckland.

Restored by 1 T T S [Trade Training School ] at Hobsonville, presented to MOTAT Auckland , later swapped for an Auster Aiglet J-1B, presently on display in Wigram Museum in Antarctic Colours

Antarctic Flight 34 Hours
3,400 Miles

• Antarctic Flight Was Formed at Wigram 1 May 1956
• Crashed on Tasman Glacier during training 31 Aug 1956
• To Antarctica on HMNZS Endeavour Dec 1956
• First Antarctic Flight 29 Jan 1957
• Returned to N Z Mar 1958
• Returned to Antarctica on US Navy Icebreaker ATKA 4 Dec 1959
• Returned To N Z
• F T S 1960
• 42 Sqn Ohakea Army Co-op Flight 1963
• 1 Sqn Hobsonville 12-1963
• 3 Sqn Hobsonville

Photos RNZAF Official