Auster Mk 5D
Asking price
£19,500
Aircraft
G-AKSZ
6 views
Posted 9 hours ago
Description
Wilco Aviation is delighted to present this Auster 5D, registration G-AKSZ. Located in the North West of England, this outstanding aircraft is available for viewing by appointment.
The Auster Mk 5D was one of the rarest variants in the long line of light aircraft produced by Auster after the Second World War. It traced its origins back to the wartime Auster Mk V, a military air observation aircraft derived from the American Taylorcraft design. When the war ended, many surplus Austers were converted for civilian use, and the company pursued a number of refinements to improve stability and handling. Among these developments, the 5D distinguished itself with the installation of the 130 horsepower de Havilland Gipsy Major engine and an enlarged fin and rudder, changes that gave it greater stability and slightly improved performance over its predecessors.
Production of the Mk 5D was extremely limited. Only two new aircraft were built to this specification and another 28 conversions were carried out, making it one of the least numerous members of the Auster family. This scarcity has made surviving examples particularly prized by aviation historians and enthusiasts.
One such example was registered as G-AKSZ. Built to 5D specification, it represented the type in civilian ownership in Britain and contributed to the modest but enduring post-war presence of Auster aircraft in private and club flying. The aircraft is fitted with an auxiliary belly fuel tank with a capacity of 58 litres. The original tanks were manufactured in steel and are often subject to internal corrosion, but in this case an aluminium replacement was produced that is indistinguishable from the original factory item. In addition to the aircraft itself, there is also a separately negotiable spares package which includes two recently refurbished magnetos.
The Auster Mk 5D may never have been produced in large numbers, but it occupies a unique position in the story of British light aviation. Combining the rugged practicality of a wartime design with civilian refinements, it demonstrated Auster’s efforts to adapt to the post-war market. The rarity of aircraft such as G-AKSZ ensures that the Mk 5D remains a distinctive and valued part of Britain’s aviation heritage.
Registration: G-AKSZ
Listed by Wilco Aviation.