The 'Aurora Australis' is an all metal, single seat vehicle powered by one Westinghouse J34-WE34 turbo-jet engine, with reheat and one liquid fueled rocket motor.
The airframe is of conventional design and consists of four main groups: nose section, lower mid-section, upper mid-section and aft section. Disconnection of the aft section and upper mid- section allows rapid removal of the turbo-jet engine, and rocket motor.
The nose section provides accommodation for a film camera and a T.V. camera.
The lower and upper sections (or fuselage section) contain the cabin, front suspension and wheels, turbo-jet engine, and turbo-jet engine fuel, oil and water methanol tanks. The lower section also contains the rocket fuel, oxidiser and pressurant tanks. The vehicle is equiped with a pressure and/ or gravity refuelling system.
The cabin is sealed from the engine, wheels, fuel and electrics, by an explosion and fire-proof bulkhead. Five transparent sections and several metal sections enclose the cabin. Access to the cabin is by a metal canopy which is hinged to the airframe.
The aft section contains the jet exhaust, reheat, rocket exhaust and the braking parachute actuating guns.
The braking devices are mounted in the aft section and
fuselage sections. Dimensions of the brakes have been designed so as to ensure their safe operation at any Mach number up to the designed speed.
The rear suspension and wheels are located between the fuselage section and the aft section.
The four free spinning wheels are arranged in a triangular configuration. They are attached to the airframe by a leaf spring suspension.
The airframe is provided with locating points for fitting optional thrust augmentation devices.
The Aeronautical Research Laboratories have wind tunnel tested an 1/8 scale model. The performance results of these tests as applicable to a full size vehicle is shown graphically under Section 7, Aerodynamics and Performance.

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHTS AND CAPACITIES
1. DIMENSIONS.
Length:11.43 m.(37'6")
Width (basic)78 cm.( 2'7")
Width (overall)2.43 m.(8')
Height 1.00 m.( 3'4")
Ground Clearance101 mm.( 4 )
Wheel Base 4.72 m.(15'6")
Track (front) 120 mm.(4-3/4")
Track (rear) 2.28 m.( 7'6")
Turning Circle 800.00 m.(2,625 approx).

2. WEIGHTS.
Weight loaded:1493 Kg.(3,300 lbs)
Weight distrib. %:Front/Rear 45/55

3. CAPACITIES.
Turbo-jet:
fuel 92 Litres (20 galls) oil 9 Litres ( 2 galls)
Water methanol 9 Litres (2 galls)
Rocket Motor:
fuel 80 Litres (17.5 galls) oxidiser 80 Litres (17.5 galls)

ROCKET MOTOR.
The rocket system is classified as a liquid bipropellant pressure fed type.
The propellants, i.e. the fuel and the oxidiser are pressure force fed to the motor. Nitrogen and Helium gas are used as pressurants. A gymbal mount with exterior adjustments on the motor provide a swivel feature for precise alignment of the motor to make the vehicle nose heavier or lighter as necessary.

SPECIFICATIONS.
Thrust:2715 kg.(6000 lbs)
Firing time:20 secs.
Length:965 mm.(38 in.)
Diameter:406 mm.(16 in.)
Weight: 239 kg.(530 lbs)

AIRFRAME & MATERIALS
AIRFRAME TYPE:Steel tube space structure.

CONSTRUCTION:
The frame construction is a combination of electrically welded, 'Howe, Warren and Pratt' trusses joined at intervals by bulkheads. This is reinforced by a aluminium and steel skin which is strengthened by longitudinal stiffeners.
The skin is fastened to the frame by countersunk pop rivets and spot welding.

MATERIAL:
The greater part of the structure consists of a general purpose quality, electrically welded steel tube with a carbon contant of .13% maximum. The tubing is 25.5mm (1") O.D. and 1.6mm wall thickness. The aluminium sheet is 1.28mm (.050") thick. The steel sheet is 1.6mm (.064") and 1mm
The outer skin consists of a mild steel and aluminium sheet. (.039") thick.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES:

Mild Steel:- 1010 quality. (B.T.M.)
Yield: 309-417 MPa (20-27 Ton f/in²)
Ultimate: 309-432 MPa (20-28 Ton f/in²
Rockwell Hardness: HR B. 54 - 74
Brinell Hardness : 130

Aluminium: 5005 quality (Alcoa)
Yield: 138 MPa (8.9 Ton f/in²)
Ultimate:159 MPa (10.2 Ton f/in²)
Brinell Hardness: 41

CRUSH RESISTANT CABIN
TYPE: Steel tube space structure.
MATERIAL: Steel tubing, (1010 quality), 60.3mm (2-3/8") O.D., 4.7 mm (3/16") wall thickness.

CONSTRUCTION:
The construction of the cabin far exceeds all known safety requirements.
The cabin rear wall is a 6.3mm (4") thick steel bulkhead.
In most positions the cabin can easily support 100 tonnes.

WHEELS AND BEARINGS
1. WHEELS
Type: Displacement. (The outer edge of the wheel, the 'tread' area, rides slightly below the surface of the track.)
Number: Four.
Size: dia. .761 m (2'6"), width76 mm (3")
Material: A combination of
(1) Titanium Alloy
(2) Aluminium Alloy
(3) Steel Alloy

Construction:
The wheel and tyre are an integral item.
No pneumatic rubber tyres are fitted.
Approx. weight: 11 kg. (25 lb.)
R.P.M. @ 650 mph 7,257 R.P.M.

WHEEL BEARINGS
Type: Roller or Angular contact ball.
Lubrication: Oil

FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING AND REAR SUSPENSION
Front Suspension.
The front suspension consists of a semi-elliptic leaf spring assembly acting on a yoke which contains the two front wheels and a common axle. The spring assembly is controlled by two telescopic direct acting hydraulic dampers. Upper and lower wishbones, fitted with hinges and ball joints, are connected by brackets to a bulkhead and to a centrally located axle carrier. Anti-roll, suspension location and braking reaction are controlled by the main leaf spring assembly and by the upper and lower wishbones. Torque arms fitted in a wishbone configuration at the upper section of the suspension minimise braking reaction felt by the leaf spring assembly. Suspension travel is limited by variable position upper and lower rubber bump stops. Two longitudinal leaf springs fitted to the lower section of the yoke minimise lateral movement of the suspension
assembly.
Castor angle:variable between -1° to +2°.
Camber angle: 0°.
Swivel Inclination: variable between -5° to +5°.

Steering
The steering assembly consists of several push rods connected by ball joints from the steering column to the front suspension yoke.
Steering wheel movement lock to lock: 1 turn.
Total wheel deflection:1 1/2°

REAR SUSPENSION
The rear suspension consists of eight semi elliptic leaf springs arranged laterally in parallel pairs. The airframe is attached to the springs by a spring mount which is fixed to the centre and to one end of each pair of springs. The stub axle carriers and the stub axles, which hold the rear wheels, bolt to a bracket at the other spring end. An anti-torque device is fitted to minimise torsional and flexing movement due to the gyroscopic effect of the wheels. Sliding spacers fitted between the upper and lower spring leaves, further increases rear suspension stiffness.
Vertical movement is controlled by two lever action hydraulic dampers. Suspension travel is limited by variable position upper and lower rubber bump stops.
Castor angle: Variable -2° to +2°
Camber angle: Variable -2° to +2°

BRAKING SYSTEMS
WHEELS: Hydraulic operated, water cooled cast iron shoes acting on the two front wheels.
PARACHUTES:One two stage main parachute and one two stage reserve.
AIR BRAKE: Four mechanically operated air brakes are fitted in the rear suspension assembly.
SURFACE FRICTION: Two mechanically operated arrester hooks connect to stationary arrester wires fitted with braking parachutes.