Auster Aircraft

Auster Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer that operated from 1938 to 1961, initially as Taylorcraft Aeroplanes (England) Limited. The company was founded on the designs of the US Taylorcraft B, which became the licence-built Taylorcraft Plus C and D. Auster is primarily known for producing high-wing monoplanes, many of which served as Air Observation Post (AOP) aircraft for the military, starting with the Auster I in 1942.

Key historical products include the wartime Auster I, III, IV, and V models, and the post-war Auster AOP6. Well-known civil aircraft include the Auster J/1 Autocrat, J/5 Adventurer, and the J/1U Workmaster (an agricultural version). In 1961, the company merged into Beagle Aircraft, which continued the design’s development as the Beagle Terrier and Airedale. Since the company is defunct, it does not have current products.