An artillery reconnaissance plane that was the IAF's first mass-purchase item, and the only such item until the more advanced, efficient planes began coming in, in the latter half of 1948. During that interval, the plane carried out most of Israel's military aviation missions. Its period of glory as a light attack plane was short but important, as it supplied vital air support to the Jewish forces defending the Galilee and Negev.
After being phased out of the combat role, it served as a reconnaissance and communication plane for several years. The Autocrat earned its popular nickname 'Primus' because of the sound its engine made, a sound resembling that of the primus, a kerosene-burning cooking device that was in widespread use at the time. The plane came to symbolize the War of Independence, and the improvisational ability of the Jewish population, which fought the numerous Arabs with very meager means at its disposal.
The Auster Autocrats had been purchased in a tender from the British, who were led to believe that they were being bought for a civilian company, 'Aviron'. Most of the planes needed extensive repair work before they could be made to fly. They were transported to Tel Aviv in a convoy of trucks and assembled in a basement workshop near 'Hakiryah' in Tel Aviv.
The 'Primus' was used in nearly all of the operations launched by Sherut Ha'avir, the IAF's predecessor, before the proclamation of Israel's independence. It was used as a bomber, in the most primitive sense of the word: quite simply, the plane was equipped with grenades and bombs, and these were lobbed out of the windows. One of the more well known stories about the 'Primus' involved Tzvi Zibel (who was later killed in action, and received the Medal of Courage for his actions in the war).
On March 4th 1948, Zibel flew his Autocrat to assist a group of Israeli soldiers trapped near Nebi Daniel. Zibel was shot and injured in the eye and chest, but kept on flying the plane while a medic tended his injuries, managing to bring it back to base.