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AUSTER AIRCRAFT LTD

  • G-AHSD
  • Type: TAYLORCRAFT PLUS D
  • Serial No: 182
  • LB323 c/n 182 was delivered to No.654 Sqn on 5 Oct 1942
  • Flown to No.47 M.U. on 24 Dec 42. Not shipped abroad, it was issued to No.652 Sqn on 8 Feb 43
  • Moved to No.656 Sqn on 20 March 43
  • On 29 Apr 43 it was flown to No.20 M.U. Aston Down for storage until issued to 84 Group Communications Sqn on 30 June 1944.
  • It went to No.310 Sqn on 22 March 1945, to Rearsby on 6 Sept 45 and was Struck off Charge on 3 Oct 45 as Sold to Taylorcraft.

Thus it was in store on D-day

  • While LB323 was in store on D Day it was on the books of 84 Group Comms Squadron at Westhampnett about the end of June 1944.
  • 84 Comms Sqd was reported [inter alia in AB's RAF Flying Training and Support Units book] as having aircraft detached daily to landing grounds B7 and B14 until 8 August 1944-the squadron moved to Old Sarum 20/8/1944, then to Boisney 2/9/1944.
  • As LB323 remained with 84 Comms Sqd until March 1945, it would have seen servicein France, possibly as early as the beginning of July 1944 and certainly by early September.

Post War

  • Regd 1.7.46 (CofR No: 10299/1) as G-AHSD to Auster Aircraft Ltd., Rearsby. Application for CofA No: 9056 3.7.46 and CofA No: 8021 issued 12.7.46.
  • Cancelled 31.7.46 and Re-Regd same day (CofR No: 10299/2) to Arnold G Wilson Ltd, Sherburn-in-Elmet.
  • Cancelled 1.10.46 and Re-Regd same day (CofR No: 10299/3) to Lockwoods Flying Service Ltd., Speeton. CofA renewed 22.8.47 & 17.9.48.
  • Cancelled .3.50 & Re-Regd 8.6.50 (CofR No: 10299/4) to W.S.Shackleton Ltd. CofA (Re-numbered A447) renewed 4.10.50.
  • Cancelled 11.11.50 & Re-Regd 21.11.50 (CofR No: R.477/5) to Herts & Essex Aero Club (1946) Ltd., Broxbourne. CofA renewed 17.7.52.
  • Cancelled 1.8.52 & Re-Regd same day (CofR No: R.477/6) to George H Hanmer & Frank W Wheeler, remaining at Broxbourne. CofA renewals 29.4.53,(Broxbourne closed and aircraft relocated to Stapleford), 24.9.55, 28.9.56 with a Temporary extension to 27.10.57, 27.6.58 & 11.9.59.
  • On 22.1 57 it force-landed on the disused airfield at Nuthampstead, Herts when the pilot became lost. It nosed over and broke the propeller, Lloyd's Casualty Reports gives the assured as North London Aero Club and/or F.H. Wheeler.
  • Cancelled 26.10.60 & Re-Regd 10.11.60 (CofR No: R.447/7) to Frank W Wheeler, now at Panshanger.
  • Cancelled 16.11.61 and not Re-Regd until 15.3.62 (CofR No: R.447/8) to John F Swift, (Sheffield). Last CofA expired 10.9.62. (noted at Yeadon 18.1.1962).
  • Cancelled 1.7.63 & Re-Regd 28.8.63 (CofR No: R.447/9) to Mell-Air Ltd., Ingoldmells. The CofR was NOT cancelled despite a long period of inactivity and expired CofA.
  • Cancelled 24.6.66 & Re-Regd 30.6.66 (CofR No: R.447/10) to Anthony Tucker, of Wincanton, Somerset. Address change within Wincanton 31.10.67. Initially stored at Westleaze Farm. To Henstridge by 1972 although moved off airfield by early 1980s. CofR Cld by CAA 3.4.89 & Re-Regd 9.5.89 (CofR No: G-AHSD/R11) to same owner although address status marked "Gone away". Sold on by 1993 and was noted at Upton, Poole by the following year and still present 8.95.
  • Cancelled 29.7.97 & Re-Regd same day (CofR No: G-AHSD/R12) to Adrian L Hall-Carpenter, Shipdham.