In 1948 the RCAF first obtained the Auster Mk VI, an improved, post-war model with a DeHavilland Gypsy Major engine, more fuel capacity and a longer undercarriage. The first of the Auster VI’s served with 444 (AOP) Squadron at the Joint Training School (JTS), Rivers, Manitoba. The RCAF retired the last of their Austers in 1958.
After taking the Auster AOP 6 and 7 from service, Beagle did buy them and refurbished them to civil use. They were sold to private customers as the A.61 Terrier.
The Beagle Terrier was the name given to the modified Auster AOP (Air Observation Post) 6, after the Auster Aircraft Company was sold. The Auster Aircraft Company purchased a large number of former British Army Auster aircraft during the late 1950s. These were Auster AOP.6, T.7 and T.10 aircraft which were updated and modified with a de Havilland Gipsy Major 10-1-1 engine.
The AOP.6 and AOP.6A were modified AOP.5 with a strengthened rear fuselage, external flaps, increased MTOW, and 145 hp Gipsy Major 7. The prototype AOP.6 appeared in 1945 and 296 were supplied to the RAF, some of these being transferred to the Belgian Air Force. Others were supplied to the RCAF and SAAF, and a two-seat trainer version, the Auster T.7, was converted to full AOP standards in 1947. Initial production of the AOP.6 was completed in 1949, but further production was undertaken in 1952.
Initially two versions were offered for sale in the civilian market from 1960:
Auster 6A Tugmaster – a utility and glider towing aircraft
Auster 6B – a three-seat luxury version. When the company became part of Beagle Aircraft in 1960, the Auster 6B was renamed the Beagle A.61 Terrier 1.
Eighteen Terrier 1s conversions were built. The first conversion flew 13 April 1961 from Rearsby.
In 1962 the Beagle A.61 Terrier 2 was introduced with a greater span tailplane, wheel spats and a metal propeller. First flight of a Terrier Series 2 was made on 25 April 1962. The type is a three-seat touring and training monoplane. Sixty of these were sold by the beginning of March 1964. The conversions includes the complete overhaul of the airframe and engine, the provision of new tail surfaces and ailerons, and a sound-proofed three-seat cabin trimmed and upholstered. As a glider tug, the Terrier can tow an average two-seater to 2000 ft in 6 min 30 sec.
Forty-Five Terrier 2s conversions were completed at Rearsby. A small number of airframes were converted subsequently to this standard by other companies.
One Terrier 3 powered by a 160 hp Lycoming O-320-B2B engine was essentially complete at Rearsby when Terrier production was stopped in 1966. In 1967, an incomplete Terrier 2 was modified to this standard by British European Airways engineering apprentices and registered G-AVYK.
The Terrier was not an economic success for the manufacturer as it was found that more man-hours were spent on rebuilding each aircraft after its military use than were spent in building the new aircraft for the Army. Examples of the type were purchased by owners in the United Kingdom, Eire, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and Sweden. 23 Terriers were registered in the UK in 2013.
Of a total of 380 of AOP6 built, less that 100 were converted to Terriers between 1946 and 1953.
The 6A Tugmaster and Terrier 1 were also rebuilt Auster Mk 6, but to lower standards.
Later adopted as the Auster T.7
The AOP.6 was developed from the Mk 5 with a modified fuselage and increased all-up weight and powered by a Gipsy Major 7 engine. Equipped with all-metal auxiliary aerofoil flaps below and behind trailing edge, and wings strengthened to take two 52.25 litre fuel tanks, the pilot and observer seated in tandem. Lengthened landing gear struts allowed a larger airscrew. Production completed in 1949. The T.7 was a two-seat trainer which could be quickly converted to full AOP standard. Equipped with side-by-side seating with dual controls, a third seat could be fitted.
AOP.6
Engine: de Havilland Gipsy Major VII, 145 hp
Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in
Wing area: 184 sq.ft
Length: 23 ft 9 in
Height: 8 ft 4.5 in
Empty weight: 1413 lb
Loaded weight: 2160 lb
Max speed: 124 mph at 1000 ft
Cruise: 108 mph
ROC: 810 fpm
Service ceiling: 14,000 ft
Range: 315 mi
Auster Beagle Aircraft Co. Auster 6 / A.O.P.6
Engine: Gipsy Major 7G, 145 hp
Wing Span: 36ft (10.97m)
Length: 23ft 9in (7.24m)
Height: 8ft 5in (2.55m)
Speed: 122mph (196km/h)
T.7
Engine: de Havilland Gipsy Major 130hp.
Cruise speed: 114 mph.
T.7c
Engine: de Havilland Gipsy Major VII, 145 hp.
Auster 6A Tugmaster
A.61 Terrier
60 converted from military AOP.6
A.61 Terrier 2
Engine: 1 x DH Gypsy Major 10, 145 hp / 107kW
Take-off weight: 1090 kg / 2400 lb
Empty weight: 727 kg / 1600 lb
Wingspan: 11.0 m / 36 ft 1 in
Length: 7.1 m / 23 ft 4 in
Height: 2.7 m / 8 ft 10 in
Wing area: 17.1 sq.m / 184.06 sq ft
Max. speed: 191 km/h / 119 mph
Cruise speed: 172 km/h / 107 mph
Ceiling: 3500 m / 11500 ft
Rate of climb: 530 ft/min (2.7 m/s)
Range: 450 km / 280 miles
Seats: 3
All Aero 