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The Auster-Beagle Aircraft Company (Britain) produced the Auster under licence to Taylorcraft (USA) for observation
and communications. Auster Beagle built over 1600 Mark (Mk) I-V's for the British Army, which used all but the Mk II
in their Air Observation Post (AOP) squadrons. Although the squadrons and pilots were of the Royal Artillery, RAF
ground crews maintained the aircraft. The Auster's main roles were artillery spotting, supply drops, liaison, casualty
evacuation and photographic reconnaissance, for which it was well-suited; its short take-off and landing (STOL)
abilities enabled it to operate from small landing fields.
The RCAF's three AOP squadrons (664, 665 and 666) formed using Austers in1944 and 1945. In 1948 the RCAF first obtained
the Auster Mk VI, an improved, post-war model with a DeHavilland Gypsy Major engine, more fuel capacity and a longer
undercarriage. The first of the Auster VI's served with 444 (AOP) Squadron at the Joint Training School (JTS), Rivers,
Manitoba. The RCAF retired the last of their Austers in 1958.
The CWH Museum's Auster Mark VI was built in 1947 and was taken into RCAF service in 1948. It served with the JTS in
Manitoba and the 1st AOP Flight, Camp Petawawa, Ontario, before being retired in 1957. The paint scheme and markings
are of the JTS. CWH has dedicated the Auster to Captain Peter Tees, DFC, Royal Canadian Artillery, who flew in Korea
on attached service with the Commonwealth Division. He won his decoration for his long hours of operational flying
and dedication to duty, particularly during the bitter cold of the Korean winter.
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