Auster D.4

D.4
The sixth UK built Auster D4 outside the Rearsby factory in August 1967
Role Utility aircraft
Manufacturer Auster, OGMA
First flight 12 February 1960
Introduction 1960
Status one example still active in UK in 2018
Primary user Portuguese Government
Number built 15
Developed from Auster Arrow

The Auster D.4 was a two-seat British light aircraft, a development of the Auster Arrow with a horizontally opposed Lycoming engine, which originated from a Portuguese Air Force requirement for a liaison/training aircraft.[1] Six were built by Auster Aircraft at their Rearsby, Leicestershire, factory, of which five went to Portugal, and nine more were built under licence in Portugal by the Oficinas Gerais de Matereal Aeronautico OGMA from sets of components built by Auster and shipped from Rearsby.[2] The original contract was for 25 sets of components but this was reduced in favour of the same number of additional Auster D5/160 sets.[1]

Operational history

Most D4 aircraft were operated in Portugal by government sponsored groups. One example is still active (2018) owned by a UK-based private pilot owner.

Operators

 Portugal

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Length: 23 ft 4.5 in ( m)
  • Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 11 in ( m)
  • Wing area: 185 ft2 ( m2)
  • Empty weight: 1232 lb ( kg)
  • Gross weight: 1900 lb ( kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-235, 108 hp (81 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 110 mph ( km/h)
  • Range: 500 miles ( km)
  • Service ceiling: 13200 ft ( m)
  • Rate of climb: 620 ft/min ( m/s)

References

  1. 1 2 Wenham 2015, p.42
  2. ↑ Jackson 1974, pp186-188
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 85.
  • Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. p. 43.
  • Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.
  • Wenham, Tom (2015). False Dawn - The Beagle Aircraft Story. Air-Britain. ISBN 978 0 85130 479 3.
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