AERO CLUB’S NEW AUSTER HAS HAD TWO PREVIOUS OWNERS

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 December 1950, Page 4

AERO CLUB’S NEW AUSTER HAS HAD TWO PREVIOUS OWNERS

The Wanganui Aero Club’s Auster Autocrat, which arrived in Wellington on Sunday on the liner Rangitane, has done only 235 hours 15 minutes flying. It was first registered on March 16, 1948, and has had two owners. The first owner was Mr. C. H. Webb, of Cambridge, who used the plane for a number of trips to Brussels and Luxembourg, making his first trips as a passenger. Eventually the owner soloed in the Auster and made flights to all parts of Britain. In May of this year, when the Auster had done a little more than 210 hours, it was sold to Mr. J. A. Brewster, of St. Leonards On Sea, Sussex, .who flew it until August 20. According to the plane's journey log book, it has been used for the treatment of whooping cough patients, one patient being kept at an altitude of 10,000 feet for half an hour.

The English registration of the Auster was G-AJUH. The New Zealand registration allotted to the plane is ZK-AWI. The Auster has a current certificate of airworthiness valid until next March, but when the aircraft in assembled at Wanganui it will be granted a new certificate operative for twelve months. Arrangements have been finalised for the plane W be brought to Wanganui by road transport and assembled at the airport. This action was necessary because of the inability of Wellington aircraft firms to assemble the machine until after the New Year, because of pressure of work. The club hopes to have the plane in use before Christmas by assembling it here.