Talk:Auster AOP.9

AOP.9M

Does anyone have info on the AOP.9M? I've gone through the civil register, both R & D and there is only one aircraft owned by the chap mentioned. This is G-BUCI, and it sounds as if it may be spares for the AHAF aircraft. It does not (now, at least) have a Lycoming engine; nor do any others on the register. I also failed to find anything on the net.TSRL (talk) 14:16, 16 December 2008 (UTC)

I have added some refs for the 9M (or Auster 9 Modified, or Auster 9(M)), I understand G-AVHT was the only conversion. MilborneOne (talk) 20:26, 29 May 2009 (UTC)

This page now has more in-line refs. It could still do with authoritative cites on

line 1 para two of op. history, on the exploits of 656 Squadron

end of same para, on Beaver take over

on the AAC Squadrons' use of AOP.9s, post the transfer from the RAF in 1957. Where were they apart from Malaysia and Aden?

the numbers used by the Indian Forces (was it 10 IAF plus 25 Army, as some sources suggest) and what they were used for.

the SAF numbers, and their use.TSRL (talk) 21:26, 3 June 2009 (UTC)

656 Squadon operations in Malaya/Malaysia

The article currently quotes 'the aircraft . . . carried out . . . 143,000 (Firedog) operations'. The figure is confirmed in Thetford's Aircraft of the RAF since 1918 (page 42) but he says that '656 Squadron made over 143,000 Firedog operations'. The Squadron was in Malaya from 1948 onwards. The squadron received AOP.9s in September 1955. Ketley, page 50, says 'from the end of 1955, the squadron flew an average of 1,200 sorties a month, half of them in the communications role'. It is therefore clear that the 143,000 ops figure includes a majority performed by 656s previous AOP.6s. I will amend the article to that effect. RuthAS (talk) 21:20, 4 June 2009 (UTC)