Taylorcraft Auster

The Auster was a small high-wing light aircraft, a British-built development of the American Taylorcraft, that became the RAF’s standard Air Observation Post machine. Flown by Royal Artillery officer-pilots of the AOP squadrons, it loitered low over the battlefield directing artillery fire, a dangerous task that demanded nerve and skilful use of ground cover. Able to operate from the smallest of fields close behind the front, the Auster also flew liaison, casualty-evacuation and reconnaissance work, serving in every theatre from the Western Desert to North-West Europe and Burma.