VH-AYJ  Auster J/1 Autocrat                    (c/n  2346)

                                 

                                       This Autocrat is still on the register. It was imported in 1951, being ex G-AJPX.  The above shot
                                       was taken in the mid 1950s at Parafield.   It was converted in 1959 to Auster J/1BL status by
                                       KSAS, powered by a 150 hp Lycoming, given spats and other performance enhancing mods,
                                       after which it was known as the "Kingsmith".  Presumably the 'L' bit is for Lycoming.  Only one
                                       such aircraft received these exotic modifications.   The three shots below, all from the Geoff
                                       Goodall collection, depict it (upper) at Bankstown in 1962, (second) at Point Cook, Victoria
                                       in November 1972 whilst working as a glider tug for the Murray Bridge Gliding Club and sport-
                                       ing a new red and white paint scheme (photo by David Freeman).  The titling on the nose proclaims
                                       "Auster powered by Lycoming 190".. And (third) at the foot of the page at Serpentine Airfield
                                       (south of Perth) in February 1987.  As indicated it is still flying, although sans spats,.