The Auster models M - VL522 & N - VL523 were built to a Ministry specification A2/45 calling for an updated A.O.P. aircraft. It was to carry a pilot and observer, camera equipment and armour plating under the crew.
Other requirements were for it to be extremely manoeuvrable with good low speed handling near the ground and short takeoff & landing characteristics.
The first prototype, model M, had a 160hp D.H. Gypsy Major 31 engine. After many modifications to the design, it proved to be underpowered, so a second prototype, model N appeared fitted with a 240hp D.H. Gypsy Queen 34.
The handling of the aircraft was very poor and after military trials, no orders were placed so the project was abandoned. The two aircraft went to RAF maintenance units and were later disposed of.
Other than a 3-view drawing produced from the works general arrangement drawing and a few b/w photos and notes, nothing else exists to aid the modeller.
VL522 is shown here in its silver finish as it appeared at the SBAC show at Farnborough in 1948. VL523 is in its standard Army camouflage paint.
This aircraft is released as Freeware.
Copyright (C) David Molyneaux 2011. All rights reserved.
Uploaded in the Auster austerity drive by zswobbie1.
Other requirements were for it to be extremely manoeuvrable with good low speed handling near the ground and short takeoff & landing characteristics.
The first prototype, model M, had a 160hp D.H. Gypsy Major 31 engine. After many modifications to the design, it proved to be underpowered, so a second prototype, model N appeared fitted with a 240hp D.H. Gypsy Queen 34.
The handling of the aircraft was very poor and after military trials, no orders were placed so the project was abandoned. The two aircraft went to RAF maintenance units and were later disposed of.
Other than a 3-view drawing produced from the works general arrangement drawing and a few b/w photos and notes, nothing else exists to aid the modeller.
VL522 is shown here in its silver finish as it appeared at the SBAC show at Farnborough in 1948. VL523 is in its standard Army camouflage paint.
This aircraft is released as Freeware.
Copyright (C) David Molyneaux 2011. All rights reserved.
Uploaded in the Auster austerity drive by zswobbie1.
