For the Roman god of the south wind, see Anemoi. For the American writer, see Paul Auster.

Auster Aircraft Limited began as Taylorcraft Aeroplanes (England) Limited in 1938 making light observation aircraft designed by the Taylorcraft Aircraft Corporation of America at the Britannia Works, Thurmaston near Leicester, England. 1,604 high wing Auster monoplanes were built during World War II for the armed forces of the UK.

The name change occurred on 7th March 1946 when production shifted to Rearsby aerodrome, also in Leicestershire. All designs were evolved from the early Taylorcraft with a sprung skid or tailwheel beneath the fin (except for a low wing aircraft called the Agricola designed for crop-spraying purposes; only two of these were completed). When the company was merged into Beagle Aircraft in 1960 the successful high wing design was developed still further as the Terrier and - with a nosewheel - the Airedale.

The air observation duties, insurgency and casualty evacuation roles performed by Austers and similar light aircraft were generally taken over by light helicopters from the mid 1960s.

For more information see http://www.austerclub.org/company_history/company_history.htm

Aircraft

• Auster J-1 Autocraft - Three-seat high-winged monoplane light aircraft
• Auster J-1A Autocrat - Four-seat version of Autocrat
• Auster J-1B Aiglet - Re-engined agricultural version of Autocraft (De Havilland Gipsy Major engine)
• Auster J-1N Alpha - Re-engined Autocrat (De Havilland Gipsy Major engine)
• Auster J-1U Workmaster - Agricultural version of the Alpha
• Auster J-2 Arrow
• Auster J-3 Atom - Arrow with Continental engine
• Auster J-4 - Arrow with Blackburn Cirrus Minor I engine
• Auster J-5
• Auster J-5B Autocar - Four-seat high-winged monoplane light aircraft
• Auster J-5F Aiglet Trainer - aerobatic version of the Autocar
• Auster J-5R Alpine - Improved Aiglet Trainer
• Auster B-4 - Four-seat high-winged ambulance aircraft
• Auster B-8 Agricola - Low-winged agricultural aircraft
• Auster 6A Tugmaster - Glider towing version of the Auster 6

Defunct aircraft manufacturers of the United Kingdom