Auster Mark 1 LB322 or G-AHXG

AnnieW

Hi, I was wondering if any members had any info on the above plane? All I have been able to find out so far is that it was in service with the RAF until it was sold in 1946 and then it was written-off in 1961 after it was damaged in a gale whilst at Sleap. I would love to know anything about its history.

The reason I am interested is that I recently bought a box of house clearance stuff and there was a black & white photo of the plane at an airfield and a small oil painting which looks to have been done from the photo but shows it flying over the sea.

Thanks in advance.

moxy

Taylorcraft Plus D / Auster 1

LB322 delivered direct to 654 Squadron. Old Sarum, 5th October 1942.

Flown to 47 Maintenance Unit, RAF Sealand, 23rd December 1942.

Allocated to 652 Squadron, RAF Sawbridge, 8th February 1943.

Passed to 656 Squadron, RAF Westley, 20th March 1943.

Allocated to 400 and 430 Squadrons, RCAF at RAF Dunsfold 10th May 1943.

These were originally Army Co-operation units.

Flown to 20 Maintenance Unit, RAF Aston Down, 31st December 1943.

Released to 2nd TAF Communications Flight, 5th February 1944.

Returned to 20 Maintenance Unit, RAF Aston Down, 7th October 1944.

Allocated to 313 Czech Squadron, RAF Manston, 6th April 1945.

Sold to West London Aero Club at White Waltham, 6th June 1946.

Put on the civil register as G-AHXG, 25th June 1946.

To Denham Air Services, Denham Aerodrome, 12th July 1948.

To Captain Henry Woolgar Ayre, 8th July 1949.

To W.S Shackleton Ltd, Aeroplane dealers, 8th October 1951.

To Trustees of the Tees-side Flying Club, 5th February 1953.

To Owen James Foster, 22nd June 1955 before being permanently withdrawn from use after being severely damaged by gales at EGCV, Sleap Airfield, 12th February 1961.

Registration cancelled by the CAA, 1st April 1962.

Parts of this airframe were used together with parts from G-AHUM in the re-build

of Taylorcraft Plus D, G-ARRK.

That's about it I'm afraid

Brgds

Rob

AnnieW

Rob you are an absolute diamond! You have more than answered my question. The initials on the oil painting of the aeroplane are HWA so it was done when it was owned by Captain Ayre. Brilliant to know its war history and fantastic to solve my mystery - thanks again.

Kind regards,

Ann

moxy

You're welcome Ann. Just a bit more info about Henry (Harry) Woolgar Ayre.

Born in 1918 he had quite a career in the RAF including a period with 261 Squadron in Malta where he had four confirmed kills and two probables whilst flying the Hawker Hurricane. After the war it appears he became chief pilot of BKS Air Transport, quite an important British independent airline that eventually after renaming as Northeast Airlines became a constituent of British Airways. Hence the title Captain. Sadly he passed away in 1987. At the time of his ownership of G-AHXG he lived in Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, one of the smartest addresses in London where the likes of George Eliot, Mick Jagger, John Paul Getty and numerous other high profile bods once lived. Sounds like he was a top bloke.

Brgds

Rob

AnnieW

Hi Rob, thank you so much, I trawled the internet looking for info but found very little apart from birth and death. Even on Ancestry.co.uk nothing much apart from he had no children so I can't return it to any close family. He certainly deserves to be remembered so I'm going to frame the painting he did and attach the info you've given me if that's ok. Then I can hang it next to my husband's war medals. Strangely enough he was a radio operator, then in intelligence and he flew a lot of reconnaissance missions - but on bigger planes than LB322 which I understand was also used for spotting. I don't suppose you could point me in the right direction to find out more about my father in law's war?

I am extremely grateful to you for this, Henry can now be remembered for his bravery and flying achievements - he was also a pretty good artist too.

Kindest regards,

Ann

moxy

Hi Ann,

It's good that the painting will now be on display as a memorial to this obviously heroic chap and next to the medals of another brave man.

My father was in the RAF as a wireless operator mechanic and flew on Boulton Paul Overstrands with 101 bomber squadron before the war and then with 715 Squadron on a Supermarine Walrus seaplane that was catapulted off the cruiser HMS Kent whilst with the 5th Cruiser Squadron, China station. He ended up in Foggia, Italy looking after Liberators and Halifaxes in 178 Squadron, Mediterranean Allied Air Force.

Unfortunately one cannot access RAF records online. I obtained my father's service record by contacting the following:

Royal Air Force

Headquarters Air Command

RAF Disclosures

Room 14, Trenchard Hall

Royal Air Force Cranwell

Sleaford

NG34 8HB

Tel: 01400 268161

Fax: 01400 268160

The RAF will only send copies of the records to immediate relatives and they require a copy of the relevant birth certificate as evidence prior to despatch. I'm not sure what the charge is for supplying this information now and if you have your relative's service number it will help speed things up. I think when I applied for Dad's record they sent me an application form to complete. Either way, best to bell them first and they will let you know the latest requirements.

Contact me if you need any further info and by all means use whatever information I have given you. It is in the public domain if you can find it!

Kind regards

Rob

AnnieW

Sounds like your dad was pretty heroic too, you must be very proud. I will get on to the RAF as soon as I have time and see what I can get out of them.

Once again, many thanks for all your help, I really do appreciate it.

Best wishes,

Ann