AUSTER WARBIRD FLIGHTS BOOK NOW! –  £170:00:

AUSTER WARBIRD FLIGHTS BOOK NOW! Affectionately known as the ‘Millie G.’

We are now offering 20-minute flights, 30-minute flights, 40-minute flights, and 1-hour flights! If you would like longer, please let us know, and you can upgrade from any of the purchases on the day.

Fly in our genuine Korean War veteran: We are thrilled to introduce our Korean War veteran A.O.P. 6 Auster aircraft. Now available for introductory flights and tail wheel conversions, experience the nostalgia and history of this iconic aircraft from our base at Fowlmere or Peterborough. Renowned for its slow flight capabilities, the Auster was crucial in spotting artillery impacts and directing fire on ground units during the Korean War. Our Auster, which saw active service in Korea in the 1950s, carries the legacy of bravery and service.

Please browse our photos showcasing this aircraft in action, including moments of it dropping special forces soldiers by parachute and on various operations with 1913 flights, accumulating over 9000 missions between them! If you’re eager to take a flight in this historic aircraft, book your introductory flight now! Experience history firsthand from the cockpit of the A.O.P. 6 Auster. Click below to reserve your spot.

The Auster AOP-6 (Air Observation Post) was a British military aircraft primarily utilized for reconnaissance and artillery spotting during the Korean War. It was employed by various units, including the British Army’s Army Air Corps and the Royal Artillery. In the context of the Korean War, the Auster AOP-6 was used by British forces, particularly the 1913 Flight Royal Artillery. This flight and other unitswere cruciale in providing close air support and artillery observation for ground forces during the conflict. The Auster AOP-6 was valued for its ability to fly slowly and low, allowing observers to accurately spot targets and direct artillery fire. Its role was vital in supporting ground operations and maintaining communication between ground units and higher command. Overall, the Auster AOP-6 proved to be an essential asset for the British military during the Korean War, contributing significantly to the effectiveness of ground operations in challenging terrain.

About our Korean War Veteran VF 516

Right: VF516 dropping a special forces soldier in Korea during the Korean War

1913 Flight’s six pilots were from the Glider Pilot Regiment and flew Auster Mark 6’s. In January 1952, they were also given a U.S. Army Cessna L-19A’ Bird Dog’; in November of that year, they were given an Auster Mark 7.

The Cessna was acquired to ferry around V.I.P.s, especially Major General James Cassels of the G.O.C. Commonwealth Division, who is said to have sworn never to fly in an Auster again after he was involved in a crash landing. The 1913 Flight used the Cessna as their V.I.P. transport for the rest of their time in Korea.

Throughout both Flights’ operations, U.N. air superiority was maintained. Despite this, both Flights suffered personnel losses as two pilots and two groundcrews were killed. Anti-aircraft fire and artillery shells were the cause of two of these casualties. Two further pilots and a rear observer were shot down and captured. The Commander of 1903 Flight, Major Wilfred Harris MC, was also killed on 2 June 1953, when a damaged American F-84 Thunderjet crashed onto the Fort George airstrip and hit his jeep. On several occasions, U.S. aircraft crashed on the airfield, conveniently located for them to use as an emergency strip.

Nearly two years after the 1903 Flight began operations in Korea, a ceasefire was agreed upon between both sides. After this came into effect, the 1903 flight focused on visual surveillance. Some sorties were carried out over the Demilitarised Zone and the Chinese lines. Both flights remained in Korea for another eighteen months. Over the following year, they were still carrying out photographic sorties, practising artillery shoots, and patrolling the Demilitarised Zone.

In January 1955, both flights returned to the U.K. The role played by the two Flights was crucial to the campaign’s success. The 1903 Flight carried out almost 3,000 Air O.P. sorties throughout the war, while the 1913 Flight carried out around 9,000. Their valuable contribution can be seen through the many gallantry awards received compared to their size. These include a Distinguished Service Order and several Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Exhibition created by Henry Whittington, Archive Assistant, 2021

VF516 was in the military silver scheme until April 2023, when she was repainted with her original camouflage and markings that she would have worn in Korea in the 1950s when she was operational. You would all agree that she looks stunning in her new camouflage military colours. This actual Auster did see active service in Korea in the 1950s. We have photos of it Above showing it in action, dropping special forces soldiers by parachute, and other pictures of operations with 1913 flights that flew over 9000 missions between them. So, if you want an introductory flight in this iconic aircraft, click and book above!

About the Beagle Terrier: The 1960s was a time of consolidation among the companies which formed the British aircraft industry. Pressed Steel Ltd merged with Auster Aircraft Company (Rearsby) and F.G. Miles Ltd. (Shoreham) in an attempt to create a viable manufacturer of light aircraft, known as BEAGLE (British Executive & General Aviation Limited). The attempt was doomed from the start. The two constituent companies had widely different design philosophies and histories. One turned out steel-tube/fabric-covered, high-wing aircraft, renowned for their slow-speed handling; the other built fast (then faster) racing and record-breaking wooden machines and had been thwarted in their attempt to make the woworld’sirst supersonic aircraft (Miles M.52). The two former companies staggered on for a few years as separate divisions – Beagle-Miles and Beagle-Auster, but the writing was on the wall.

The Auster A.O.P. 6 had been the standard Air Observation Post aircraft of the British Army postwar, with the usual pattern of the Squadrons being constituted within the R.A.F. – and manned by R.A.F. servicing personnel – but having Army pilots.  VF571 was an A.O.P. 6, which saw service with 662 Squadron (3rd Regiment, Army Air Corps) and 651 Squadron (5th Regiment, A.A.C.). 651 was originally 651 AOP Sqn and was based at Debden, Essex, then with 3rd Division, Army Aviation H.Q. at A.A.C. Middle Wallop, Hampshire.

The A.O.P. 6 (and its trainer versions, the T.7 and T.10) was a very successful type, seeing service with the RCAF, Belgian Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, South African Air Force, and the Arab Legion Air Force. The advent of the Auster A.O.P. 9 in 1955 meant that the A.O.P. 6 was surplus, and many were sold off. A number of these aircraft were acquired by Auster and reworked into two basic types: the Auster 6A Tugmaster – a glider tug and utility type, and the Auster 6B – designed as a luxury three-seater. After the Beagle merger, the Auster 6B became known as the Beagle A.61 Terrier 1. 18 of these had been produced, with the first conversion flying from Rearsby on 13th April 1961.

They were followed by the modified Terrier 2 (45 built), but it was too little, too late, and the Auster’s nameAuster’srom view. Sadly, the whole Beagle enterprise followed in 1969, and the British production of light aircraft (De Havilland had ceased making light ‘planeslight’ the Chipmunk) virtually ceased.

Below is the log book from 1954 showing one day the pilot did 14 para drops with the U.S. Special Forces plus other historical items courtesy of

Owner History:

Links to other sites:

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234952014-auster-aop-67-in-korea/

https://ingeniumcanada.org/aviation/artifact/auster-aop-6

Auster AOP.6

https://bcam.net/auster-aop6/

https://www.t6harvard.com/miscellaneous/t6-harvard-aviation-blog-warbird-spitfire-hurricane-messerschmitt/

Harvard Warbird flights – FAQ