VH-AQN  Auster J/1 Autocrat     (c/n   2341)


                              


                                     The Auster Autocrat was relatively rare in Australia, as I point out in my narrative for
                                     VH-AJE, the market prefering the J/1B Aiglet or J/5 series to this 3-seat model.  VH-AQN
                                     was formerly G-AJIX in the U.K.   This shot was taken at Brisbane's Archerfield Airport
                                     in 1952 whilst the aircraft was operated by the Royal Queensland Aero Club.   A year later
                                     it was re-registered VH-AQO, i.e. one letter on, (after the old holder of that mark, a D.H.
                                     Dove had been written off).    The reason for this is obscure.  Possibly the 'last two' of QN
                                     had some sinister radio call sign reference at the time?    Whatever, the rego is now used by
                                     a Tiger Moth.  Interestingly, the first VH-AQN (the above machine is the second) was also
                                     a Tiger Moth with a c/n one away from the current one!  Anyway, back to this -AQN.
                                     It was only VH-AQO for three years and then became VH-SAD.