Photograph:
Kingsford Smith Kingsmith [Auster J-1BL] VH-AYJ (c/n 2346) at Bankstown, NSW in March 1967 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Light touring monoplane
Power Plant:
One 112 kw (150 hp) Lycoming O-320 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.97 m (36 ft)
- Length: 7.11 m (23 ft 4 in)
- Height: 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 17.18 m² (185 sq ft)
History:
The Kingsmith was a further effort by Kingsford Smith Aviation Service of Bankstown, NSW to modernize the Auster series of aircraft, in this case using an Auster J-1 Autocrat for the conversion. This aircraft, VH-AYJ (c/n 2346 – ex G-AJPX), was first registered in the United Kingdom in June 1947, being imported to Australia and registered in November 1951. It had a few owners, including C N Coles of Bexley, NSW and was eventually obtained by Kingsford Smith Aviation Services in the late 1950s. It underwent conversion to the new configuration at Bankstown, along with the J-5G which became the Bushmaster, and emerged in 1959, becoming the first Kingsford Smith Kingsmith but appearing on the Civil Aircraft Register as an Auster J-1BL.
VH-AYJ was sold to Dr D E Rutherford of Crows Nest, NSW and operated for some years from Bankstown. Subsequent owners included R T Hein of Murray Bridge, SA in 1974, and in 1975 it was registered to the Monarto Pilots Club Inc, also of Murray Bridge. In later years it has been registered to D Johnson of York, WA.
At least one other Auster J-1 has been fitted with a Lycoming engine, VH-BOJ (c/n 1894), having a 90 kw (120 hp) Lycoming installed, this aircraft being withdrawn from service in March 1974.
In New Zealand an Auster J-1 ZK-AUF (c/n 2238) was modified to take a Lycoming O-320-E1A engine driving a McCauley propeller; and another ZK-ATO (c/n 2640) was converted to take a Rover eight-cylinder VEE [3500 cc] converted motor-car engine.
Over the years many efforts have been made to improve the performance and comfort of Austers. One in the United Kingdom was a Model J-1 (G-AGVI) which was fitted with a 140 kw (188 hp) Rover TP.90 gas turbine, providing a speed of 185 km/h (115 mph) at 610 m (2,000 ft) at 46,000 rpm; and another conversion (G-AHAP) was to a Rover eight-cylinder VEE liquid-cooled engine driving a Ratier propeller.