Aircraft History
Built by Taylorcraft Aeroplanes Limited in the United Kingdom as Auster Mark III. Constructors Number 639. Fuselage code TAY11784.  Assigned Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number NJ820. Disassembled and loaded as cargo aboard SS Gloucester departing April 9, 1945 from Liverpool, United Kingdom bound for Australia arriving at Sydney on June 5, 1945.

Wartime History
During June 1945, delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). On June 16, 1945 assigned to 2 Air Depot (2 AD). On June 9, 1945 assigned serial number A11-33. On July 5, 1945 assigned to 16 Air Observation Post Flight (16 AOP) and issued twenty days later.

Postwar
On September 27, 1945 assigned to 14 Repair Salvage Unit (14 RSU). On July 29, 1946 placed into storage. On January 13, 1947 offered for sale as disposal. On April 2, 1947 sold through through CDC to L. E. Penn Lane of Cove, Sydney for £505 and issued to him fourteen days later.

Today
On August 5, 1949 registered in Australia as VH-BDM in flying condition. Since December 24, 2004 owned by Mr. Allan Harding of Scullin, ACT. Painted in her wartime markings of overall green with RAAF markings and serial A11-33.

References
ADF Serials - Auster A11-33
Australian Military Austers - Auster Mk.III c/n 639 ex NJ800 A11-33, VH-BDM

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Last Updated
August 21, 2023