The Auster J/3 Atom was a 1940s British single-engined two-seat high-wing touring monoplane built by Auster Aircraft Limited at Rearsby, Leicestershire.

The Atom was an attempt to create a lower-powered version of the J-2 Arrow. A modified Arrow was flown with a 65 hp Continental A65-12 engine and designated the J/3 Atom. Only the prototype, registered G-AHSY, (c/n 2250) was built as the aircraft was not developed further. Another example G-AJIJ (c/n 2401) was not completed.

The sole J/3 was dismantled at Rearsby in 1950 and was rebuilt to J/4 standard with a new registration G-AJYX and c/n 2941. It crashed near Melton Mowbray on 22 April 1951 after a pilotless take-off from Rearsby.^[1] The Continental A65 engine had been replaced by a 95 hp Blackburn Cirrus Minor II. This aircraft has since been deregistered by the CAA.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: up to two passengers
• Length: 25 ft 3 in (7.70 m)
• Wingspan: 36 ft (11 m)
• Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
• Wing area: 185 sq ft (17.2 m²)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,601 lb (726 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Continental A65 4-cyl. horizontally opposed air-cooled piston engine at 2350 rpm

Performance

Notes

Bibliography

• Ellison, N.H. (1965). Auster Aircraft Ltd – Production list. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ASIN B0041OQAEG.
• Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-370-10006-9.

• Auster net page 22 – History of G-AHSY
• Auster net page 29 – History of G-AJYX
• CAA history G-AHSY
• CAA History G-AJYX
• Aeroengine – Continental Engines