The Auster B.5 AOP.9 was built by Auster Aircraft Limited as a three seater military observation platform and first flew in March 1954, the aircraft featured metal skinned wing and tail surfaces and fabric covered fuselage and ailerons. 182 Auster AOP.9 aircraft were produced, the majority served with the Royal Air Force and British Army but also served with the armed services of India, Hong Kong and South Africa. The aircraft pictured above depicts a Auster AOP.9 maintained in airworthy condition by the British Army's Historic Aircraft Flight based at Middle Wallop. Auster AOP.9 Specifications: - Crew: Two or three
- Length: 23 ft 8½ in (7.24 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft 5 in (11.10 m)
- Height: 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
- Empty weight: 1,460 lb (663 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,330 lb (1,057 kg)
- Engine: Single 173 hp (129 kw) Blackburn Cirrus Bombardier 203 four cylinder inline piston engine
- Maximum speed: 127 mph (204 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 110 mph (178 km/h)
- Range: 242 miles (389 km)
- Service ceiling: 18,500 ft (5640 m)
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