A friend of mine is researching her family history which includes an anecdote from her father (now passed away) about having been evacuated from somewhere in the Far East during WW2. Apparently he was injured by a Japanese landmine, it’s thought in Burma, and would have died had he not been airlifted out by an Auster from a jungle airstip. The story goes that there was not enough room to lay him inside the plane so he was somehow strapped to the undercarriage. This all sounds rather unlikely to my friend and she is wondering whether anyone can corroborate the story. Were small planes ever used like this? Does anyone know of other accounts or perhaps even photographs? She’d love to hear any thoughts, stories, ideas for further research.
Thanks all!
There was an ‘air ambulance’ version of the Auster, basically it had a different fuselage where the patient could be loaded in from the rear.
Only one was ever built, though. A very odd looking aircraft.
Austers were used all over the place, and often from unimproved airfields, so it wouldn’t be surprising if some injured people were airlifted out of makeshift airfields that way (although I’m not sure they’d be lashed to the undercarriage!)
I saw a programme on television a few years ago about someone building a house in remote Alaska and flying in some of the building materials in her super cub. Some of the larger items like planks were carried underslung, which would be similar to a stretcher. Unfortunately I can’t find this on the internet to prove it. I’m sure there used to be an Army Air Corps Auster AOP9 on display at Middle Wallop (EGVP) with a red/white medical cross on the side when I was a kid but can’t find this either.
Thank you both so much for this. What am amazing amount of specialist knowledge there is in this community! I’ll pass on the information to my friend and I’ll report back if she discovers anything more about it. I must say the air ambulance Auster doesn’t look very confidence inspiring, let alone the external option, but it sounds like they did save lives.
Searching on a term along the lines of Army Auster Book finds a couple of possibilities that might help you. It’s not an aspect of aviation I have ever investigated so I don’t know whether they are any good.
@Athene you will find a lot information here: http://austerhg.org/auster_mags/
mh wrote:
you will find a lot information here: http://austerhg.org/auster_mags/
I like the part April 1947 / page 8 where the pilot is relieved of 300 FF by a ‘jeune fille’
Thanks everyone, messages all passed on. Friend has located an Auster at Hendon and is busy investigating further. She sends grateful thanks to you all.
