Auster Tugmaster

The Auster 6A Tugmaster was a British high-wing monoplane glider tug converted from surplus former military Auster AOP.6s.[1]

Auster 6A Tugmaster
Privately owned Auster Tugmaster active in 2012
Role Glider Tug
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Auster
First flight 5 July 1960
Introduction 1960
Status In active service (2014)
Primary user Gliding clubs
Number built 34
Developed from Auster AOP.6

Development

The Auster Tugmaster is a high-wing braced monoplane with a fixed tailwheel landing gear and powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major engine.[1] The Tugmasters had their engines modified to civilian standards as the Gipsy Major 10 and they were also fitted with larger tail surfaces.[2] Because of the original radio fit had been removed the second passenger sat in a sideways-facing seat behind the pilot and not side-by-side although three aircraft were fitted with dual controls and side-by-side seating.[2]

When the Auster AOP.9 was introduced into British Army service from 1959, Auster Aircraft bought 104[3] surviving and now surplus Auster AOP.6 and T.7s.[1] Initially 29 airframes[2] were modified for glider towing as the Auster 6A Tugmaster.[1][4] Each individual aircraft was stripped as necessary and re-built with minimum cost in a maximum of 400 manhours, with a selling price of £995.[5] Subsequently, about 50 were converted as three-seater touring aircraft for civilian use as the Auster 6B, later designated as the Beagle A.61 Terrier.

The first conversion, test registration G-25-9, flew on 5 July 1960[6] and was produced by Air Tows Ltd at Lasham[7] and was fitted with an electrically-driven winch; five more were modified by Air Tows.[2] Twenty one were converted by Auster at Rearsby with a conventional Auster-designed towing hook.[2] Other conversions were carried out by a number of organisations including one by British European Airways employees at London Heathrow Airport for their own gliding club at Booker. Some surplus Royal Canadian Air Force Auster AOP.6 aircraft were also converted in Canada for glider towing.[2]

Examples of the Tugmaster were exported to Finland, Norway and Sweden.[4] Several Tugmasters remain in service with UK gliding clubs (2014).

Specifications

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m)
  • Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 4 in (2.55 m)
  • Wing area: 184.0 sq ft (17.09 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,480 lb (671 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,200 lb (998 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 inline piston engine, 145 hp (108 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed Fairey Reed A66696x3

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 121 mph (195 km/h, 105 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 105 mph (169 km/h, 91 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
  • Rate of climb: 810 ft/min (4.1 m/s)

See also

Related development

References
Notes
  1. Orbis 1985, p. 335
  2. Jackson 1973, pp. 86-88
  3. Hitchman 2006, pp. 31–32
  4. Ellison, 1966, pp. 73–75.
  5. Hitchman 2006, pp. 28–29.
  6. Simpson 1991, p.36
  7. Ellison, 1966, p. 74
Bibliography
  • Ellison, N.H.; MacDemitriaR.O. (1966). Auster Aircraft Production list. England: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
  • Simpson, R.W. (1991). Airlife's General Aviation. England: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-194-X.
  • Jackson, A.J. (1973). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.
  • Hitchman, Ambrose (2006). The History of the Auster Aeroplane (Revised 3rd Ed.). International Auster Club Heritage Group.
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