Auster Agricola
Auster · United Kingdom · first flew 1955 · light aircraft
The Auster B8 Agricola was a commercially unsuccessful British agricultural aircraft designed for the aerial topdressing market that opened up in New Zealand in the early 1950s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Angular fuselage with a hopper over the centre of the wing |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large high-lift low-set monoplane wing
- Angular fuselage with a hopper over the centre of the wing
- Fixed tailwheel undercarriage and external control cables
A utilitarian, somewhat angular aircraft with a hopper over the centre of the wing and the pilot sitting forward of the hopper over the wing leading edge.
Specifications
- The Auster Agricola has a length of 8.56 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.8 m (42 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 204 km/h (127 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was constructed of fabric over a corrosion-proofed steel frame and powered by a Continental O-470-B. The type was first flown in 1955.
Variants
Only nine were made before production ceased. It had an aft cabin that could seat two passengers as an alternative to the hopper load.
Where you'll see it
The Agricola was out-competed in its target market by the PAC Fletcher, and attempts to sell it for aerial application work in Britain, Australia and Europe met with little success. Its sole survivor, ZK-BXO, was restored by John Stephenson.
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- Bruni 3V-1 Eolo
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