Auster Workmaster

J/1U Workmaster
J/1U Workmaster at Shobdon airfield, Herefordshire, in April 1987
Role	Agricultural aircraft
Manufacturer	Auster Aircraft Limited
First flight	1958
Introduction	1958
Primary user	Crop Culture (Overseas) Limited
Number built	10
Developed from	Auster Autocrat

The Auster J/1U Workmaster is a late 1950s British single-engined single-seat high-wing agriculutural 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 88 miles per hour (142 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.

J/1U Workmaster, built 1958

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)

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 23 ft 7 in (7.19 m)
• Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
• Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
• Wing area: 185 ft² (17.19 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,800 lb (816 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 2,650 lb (1202 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360 horizontally opposed piston, 180 hp (134 kw)
• Propellers: McCauley v.p. propeller

Performance

• Maximum speed: 104 mph (167 km/h)
• Range: 225 miles (362 km)
• Service ceiling: 13,700 ft (4176 m)

References

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
• Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.