Main Catalogue |  MINIATURES, PAINTS ETC |  Flames of War (Battlefront) |  Flames of War British |  BR950 Auster AOP

BR950 Auster AOP Price: £11.00 Flames of War Miniature. Battlefront. with one Auster Observation aircraft and one plastic flight stand. The use of aircraft in the role of an air observation post had its origins during the First World War. This tradition carried on during World War Two, where several American designed light aircraft were utilised in this role. These aircraft featured a tandem-cockpit accommodation which made them ideal for their roles as a reconnaissance aircraft. While the American force lent heavily on the L4 Grasshopper, the British relied on the Taylorcraft designed Auster AOP. During the Cassino campaign, the German habit of fighting rear-guard actions by day and withdrawing to a new line of defence each night meant that the Allied troops were frequently unable to make contact until late afternoon because of the extensive German demolitions. On those occasions when contact could be made early in the day, the Germans were usually forced to withdraw before dark and then targets became available for the fighter-bombers. A new system, called Dixie, was introduced to make the best use of the few hours of daylight left. When enemy targets appeared, a call was made by Corps for Dixie, which would normally be available from 7-8:30 p.m. During this period a tactical reconnaissance aircraft, in radio contact with the air controller Rover David, and the fighter-bombers in the cab rank, was to be over the forward area for the entire time. The tactical reconnaissance aircraft’s task was to find suitable targets for the fighter-bombers and report them to Rover David. Throughout the Dixie period fighter-bomber aircraft were to be kept in the cab rank in successive formations of six. This allowed the fighter-bombers to engage targets as they tried to disengage from Allied ground units. More ...

Main Catalogue |  MINIATURES, PAINTS ETC |  Flames of War (Battlefront) |  Flames of War British |  BR950 Auster AOP