Auster JB1 Aiglet

ZK-BWH

This aircraft was operated for over twenty years by veterinarian Peter Malone. It gave Peter access to the remotest parts of the Nelson District for what was probably New Zealand’s first ‘flying vet’ service.

The Trans-Antarctic Auster formerly at MOTAT and now at the RNZAF Museum, Wigram. Auster Aircraft modified two aircraft for the 1955-58 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition led by Dr Vivian Fuchs with Edmund Hillary. This was the T7C or Auster Antarctic, which had extra radio equipment, the capacity to be fitted with floats and two types of skis, and a bright orange finish to aid visibility. The second Auster is on display at the RAF Museum at Cosford in England. The Ferguson tractor used by Hillary in the Expedition is in MOTAT’s collection. Walsh Memorial Library, MOTAT.

Initially Peter leased the aircraft from the Nelson Aero Club, but around 1960 he bought the aircraft from the club and used it for the next 21 years. He was awarded an OBE for his work in developing vet services in the Nelson area. He would have landed the aircraft on some difficult farm airstrips, but Peter and his little Auster must have been warmly welcomed by many farmers with animals needing care.

In 1981, Peter Malone, then Mayor of Nelson, donated the aircraft to the RNZAF Museum at Wigram. It was later exchanged for MOTAT’s Auster NZ1707, which had been part of the Commonwealth Trans-Atlantic Expedition of 1955-58. The aircraft you see here, ZK-BWH, is painted with both its civil number and a fictitious Antarctic Auster number.

The ‘Flying vet’ Auster on the ground - note the Red Cross on its fuselage. MOTAT intends to return the aircraft to its original silver with red markings at a later stage. Walsh Memorial Library, MOTAT.

Date: 1947

Manufacturer: Taylorcraft Aeroplanes (England) Ltd

Type: Three or four-seat cabin light liaison or observation monoplane

Wing span: 11 m (36 ft)

Length: 7.1 metres (23 ft 5 in)

Engine: 1 x 145HP Gipsy Major V11 four cylinder inverted in-line air-cooled engine

Accommodation: Enclosed cabin seating, two side by side with dual controls

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