AESL Airtourer

The AESL Airtourer is an all metal light low wing monoplane touring aircraft developed in Australia and manufactured in New Zealand. It was the winning design in a competition organised by Australia's Royal Aero Club in the early 1950’s. A wooden prototype, the Henry Millicer designed Airtourer was constructed by a small group of enthusiasts in the Melbourne suburb of Williamstown during the late 1950’s. This prototype, registered VH-FMM (also well known as Foxtrot Mickey Mouse in Australian aviation history) was first flown 10 April 1959.

The prototype was demonstrated to aero clubs and flying schools where significant interest was shown as a Tiger Moth or Chipmunk replacement. After trial flights over Melbourne and then to the Latrobe Airfield development continued to the all metal version. The all metal prototype to production standard (VH-MVA) followed on 12 December 1961. After spending many years in Melbourne VH-FMM (both in storage and semi-restored at the Museum of Victoria, Melbourne - Tech/Aviation section in the 80/90's), it is now in the Museum of Flight, Nowra, New South Wales.

Interest was shown in the design by Mervyn Richardson, Chairman of Victa Ltd —best known for making lawn mowers&mdash who at the time had some aviation manufacturing interests. VH-MVA was later re-engined and was the first Airtourer 115 around 1963. As for FMM, it is owned by the Museum of Victoria in Melbourne and is presently on loan to the museum at Nowra NSW

During the period 1961 to 1966, Victa Ltd., undertook production of the all metal Airtourer, building both 100 and 115 hp models. Production by Victa took place until 1966 when the production closed down.

The manufacturing rights were sold to Aero Engine Services Ltd (AESL) in New Zealand where further production of 115 and 150 hp models took place until 1971.

A total of 168 were completed or significantly completed by Victa in Sydney and a further 80 built by AESL in Hamilton NZ. In actual fact it would be correct to say that 170 serial numbers were issued by Victa and 80 by AESL.

Examination of the records show that some of the late serial numbers issued by Victa were completed in NZ and issued with a NZ serial number (starting at 501). In addition, some of the Victa built aircraft were rebuilt in the factory by AESL and issued with NZ serial numbers which accounts for some duplication.

Some 90 aircraft remain in Australia with around 20 or so elsewhere, mainly in NZ and the UK

Trivia

Probably not the 1st 2 seat side by side aircraft designed with a central 'stick' but one of the 1st with a 'square hand grip' version.

Easy to fly from both seats due to the central stick design and arm rest.

When fitted with a 150hp engine - was a reasonable trainer in aerobatics. It also gave a fair amount extra ground speed for long distance/cruising.

Had central mounted ashtray above the panel (with a non spring loaded top). Pre flight checks always included emptying the ashtray before aeros....

Variants

AESL produced 7 Airtourers from parts provided by Victa, before launching production of its own aircraft, ultimately produced in 7 different variants:

T1 powered by a 100 hp Continental O-200 engine
T2 powered by a 115 hp Lycoming O-235 engine
T3 powered by a 130 hp Rolls Royce O-240 engine
T4 powered by a 150 hp Lycoming O-320-E1A - fixed pitch propellor
T5 powered by a 150 hp Lycoming O-320-E1A - Controlled Speed propellor
T6 initially a small run of 4 aircraft for the RNZAF, powered by a 150 hp Lycoming O-320-E1A - Constant Speed propellor with gross weight increased from T-5 and 24 volt electrics.
T8 powered by a 160 hp Lycoming AEIO-320 with fuel injection.

(The T7 was offered as a fixed pitch T6, but none were ordered).

AESL delivery pilot Cliff Tait used an Airtourer for a record breaking flight, circumnavigating the world between May and August 1969 and covering 53,097km in 288 flying hours in ZK-CXU.

A higher powered 4 seat variant, called the Aircrusier, had been built as a one off by Victa in 1966. Ownership of this aircraft passed to AESL who rebuilt it as a prototype of the successful CT/4 Airtrainer, production of which continues by AESL descendant, Pacific Aerospace.

AESL production of the Airtourer commenced in July 1967 and terminated after the delivery of 87 aircraft in July 1973. Rights to produce the Airtourer were sold to Edge Aviation of Australia, who rebuilt a single AESL aircraft, but no further production followed. A large number of Airtourers continue to fly, particularly in Australasia.