Auster Workmaster
{{Short description|Agricultural monoplane}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = J/1U Workmaster
|image = Auster J1U Workmaster G-APSR Shobdon 04.87.jpg
|caption = J/1U Workmaster at Shobdon airfield, Herefordshire, in April 1987
|type = Agricultural aircraft
|manufacturer = Auster Aircraft Limited
|designer =
|first_flight =1958
|introduction = 1958
|retired =
|status =
|primary_user = Crop Culture (Overseas) Limited
|more_users =
|produced =
|number_built = 10
|unit cost =
|developed_from = Auster Autocrat
|variants =
}}
The Auster J/1U Workmaster is a late 1950s British single-engined single-seat high-wing agricultural monoplane built by Auster Aircraft Limited at Rearsby, Leicestershire. Of traditional high-wing layout, it carries 90 gallons of spray fluid in a tank beside the pilot, an extra seat being provided for a passenger. The Lycoming 0-360-A engine of 180 h.p. driving a McCauley v.p. propeller giving it ample power; and slotted ailerons and balanced tail controls providing good handling. Oversize tyres were fitted. Take-off run at 2,550 lb gross weight and cruising speed at 65 per cent power are respectively 180 yd and {{convert|88|mph|km/h}}. Britten-Norman spray gear was provided by Crop Culture, and this company ordered nine Workmasters.
History
Following the experience of developing the J/1B Aiglet agricultural aircraft, Auster developed a more powerful successor the J/1U Workmaster. Using the basic Autocrat fuselage it was strengthened and had dorsal fin fillets added, low pressure tyres and a 180 hp (134 kW) Avco Lycoming engine.
File:auster j1u workmaster g-apmh arp.jpg
The aircraft were fitted with Britten-Norman rotary atomizers for crop spraying and a 100 imperial gallon (455 litre) chemical tank in the fuselage. An emergency dump valve allowed the tank to be emptied in 5 seconds. The Workmasters were mainly operated in West Africa, three later returning and are currently (2009) on the U.K. civil aircraft register.
Specifications (J/1U)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1959-60{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1959-60 |editor1-last=Bridgman |editor1-first=Leonard |year=1959 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd |location=London |page=15}}
|prime units?=imp
|crew=1
|capacity=1 passenger, with spray tank of {{cvt|100|impgal|USgal l}} capacity
|length ft=23
|length in=5
|length note=
|span ft=36
|span in=
|span note=
|height ft=6
|height in=2
|wing area sqft=185
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=7
|airfoil=NACA23012
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=2350
|gross weight note=typical with {{cvt|50|impgal|USgal l}} of spray liquid
|max takeoff weight lb=2650
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=Fuel: {{cvt|32|impgal|USgal l}} ; Oil: {{cvt|1.75|impgal|USgal l}}
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Lycoming O-360-A
|eng1 type=4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine
|eng1 hp=180
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=McCauley variable-pitch propeller
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop dia note=
|perfhide=
|max speed mph=109
|max speed note= at {{cvt|2350|lb}} at {{cvt|1000|ft}}
|max speed mach=
|cruise speed mph=93
|cruise speed note= at {{cvt|2350|lb}} at {{cvt|1000|ft}}
|stall speed mph=34
|stall speed note= at {{cvt|2350|lb}} (flaps down)
- Recommended spraying speed: {{cvt|60|-|80|mph|kn km/h}}
|range miles=
|range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|climb rate ftmin=710
|climb rate note=at {{cvt|2350|lb}} with flaps
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=
|more performance=
- Take-off run: {{cvt|495|ft}} in zero wind
- Take off-run to {{cvt|50|ft}}: {{cvt|1980|ft}} in zero wind
}}
References
{{commons category|Auster Workmaster}}
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{cite book |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)|publisher= Orbis Publishing}}
- {{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 }}
External links
- [http://austerhg.org/brochures/The%20Workmaster.pdf Auster Workmaster promotional brochure] (PDF)
{{Auster aircraft}}
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:1950s British agricultural aircraft