Auster acft as a bomber!!!

[hobby]

While researching the organisation of the AOP Squadrons I came upon this website which forum members might like to peruse.

http://www.britains-smallwars.com/cypru ... c/aac.html

[DaveB]

I'm sure that Dave will be chuffed to know there's another one to add to the list

ATB

DaveB

[T6flyer]

A very interesting read - thanks for the HU.

Both the AOP6 and 9 have been built by Mr Molyneaux for FS9, but although I know that 9s have a flare tube fitting under the fuselage, this is the first time that I've heard of 6s being used to drop bombs. They do say you learn something new everyday.

Watch out for another Military Auster arriving soon........

Best wishes,

Martin

[Molyned]

Well, Ralph's AOP-9 had large dummy flare tubes fitted under it for display purposes. He told me thay did nothing to improve the flight performance.
As for slinging bombs under an Auster ! daft - I call it.
Cheers
Dave M(oly)

[DaveB]

As for slinging bombs under an Auster ! daft - I call it.

Couldn't agree more I suppose any enemy would see that and either die laughing or take pity and go home

ATB

DaveB

[T6flyer]

But we all have to remember that we placed bomb racks under Magisters and Tiger Moths when we were threatened by invasion in 1940. I know like the Austers it sounds a little 'silly', but it may have slowed down the German advance, just a little.

Martin

[Bob Lomas]

But we all have to remember that we placed bomb racks under Magisters and Tiger Moths when we were threatened by invasion in 1940. I know like the Austers it sounds a little 'silly', but it may have slowed down the German advance, just a little.

Martin

Any one who did not live through WW II would find it difficult to understand just how desperate things were. I watched Tiger Moths practicing dive bombing. In France following the D-Day landings one Captain Charles Carpenter fitted three bazookas under each wing of his Piper L-4 and went tank busting. He was credited with six knock-outs and made considerable fame as 'Bazooka Charlie'. His is a story worth reading.

Bob Lomas.

[Garry Russell]

I read of guys stading at the open back doors of Dakotas trowing out assorted explosives

[DaveB]

Better still.. a Spit with a beer barrel strapped under each wing. Get those priorities right

ATB

DaveB

[DispatchDragon]

Funny that should surface

I remember as a little lad - standing out on the apron at LFC with all threee of their Austers parked there - the usual bunch of spotters etc etc had come up the fence - and one old chap who obviously wasnt a spotter stood for a while looking at them....he started talking to us and spun a yarn about lobbing grenades out of Austers at EOKA types - at the time we sort of dismissed him as being barmy.....obviously we were wrong -- Now Dave -- about these twin lewis guns I have here......


Leif