Auster Atom

{{Short description|1940s British light aircraft}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Use British English|date=July 2017}}

{{Infobox aircraft

|name = J/3 Atom

|image =

|caption =

|type = Touring aircraft

|manufacturer = Auster Aircraft Limited

|designer =

|first_flight = 1946

|introduction =

|retired =

|status =

|primary_user =

|more_users =

|produced =

|number_built = 1

|unit cost =

|developed_from = J/2 Arrow

|variants =

}}

The Auster J/3 Atom was a 1940s British single-engined two-seat high-wing touring monoplane built by Auster Aircraft Limited at Rearsby, Leicestershire.

History

The Atom was an attempt to create a lower-powered version of the J-2 Arrow. A modified Arrow was flown with a 65 hp Continental A65-12 engine and designated the J/3 Atom. Only the prototype, registered G-AHSY, (c/n 2250) was built as the aircraft was not developed further. Another example G-AJIJ (c/n 2401) was not completed.

The sole J/3 was dismantled at Rearsby in 1950 and was rebuilt to J/4 standard with a new registration G-AJYX and c/n 2941. It crashed near Melton Mowbray on 22 April 1951 after a pilotless take-off from Rearsby.Ellison, 1965, p.55 The Continental A65 engine had been replaced by a 95 hp Blackburn Cirrus Minor II. This aircraft has since been deregistered by the CAA.

Specifications (J-3)

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=

|prime units?=imp

|crew=1

|capacity=up to two passengers

|length ft=25

|length in=3

|span ft=36

|height ft=6

|height in=6

|wing area sqft=185

|max takeoff weight kg=726

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Continental A65

|eng1 type=4-cyl. horizontally opposed air-cooled piston engine

|eng1 note=at 2350 rpm

}}

References

;Notes

{{Reflist}}

;Bibliography

  • {{cite book|last=Ellison|first=N.H.|title=Auster Aircraft Ltd – Production list|year=1965|publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd|asin=B0041OQAEG}}
  • {{cite book|last=Jackson|first=A.J.|title=British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1|year=1974|publisher=Putnam|location=London|isbn=0-370-10006-9}}