1. Aircraft Seat
An Airspeed Oxford aircraft seat built by Taylorcraft under contract to Standard Motors early in the Second World War (1939-1945).

2. Venturi
The venturi is a vacuum powered instrument which uses air to operate gyroscopic instruments in the aircraft cabin. On Auster aircraft the venturi was mounted on the outer side of the fuselage adjacent to the instrument panel.

3. Taylorcraft Wheel
An example of a wheel and pneumatic tyre attached to the undercarriage of a Taylorcraft Plus C aircraft.

4. Lycoming Aircraft Engine and Propeller
The Taylorcraft Plus C aircraft built in 1939 were powered by an American Lycoming four cylinder engine of 55 horse power. The aircraft were impressed into military use in the Second World War and fitted with Blackburn Cirrus Minor I engines of 90 horse power.

5. Magneto Switches
These switches operate the magneto which directly generates the electrical sparks to ignite the fuel in the aircraft. Early Auster aircraft were fitted with two magnetos as a safety feature in case one of the magnetos failed in flight.

5. Aircraft Instrument
Oil pressure gauge which enables the pilot to monitor engine oil pressure at all times.

6. Aircraft Compass
A P10 type aircraft compass in its original packing case. This compass was a standard Royal Air Force type used in military aircraft during the Second World War (1939-45) for navigation during training and on operations. The compass assisted the aircraft crew to plot their position and fly on their intended course.

7. Engine Exhaust Pipes
Exhaust pipes fitted to a Lycoming 55 horse power engine to expel waste gases as on a motor car. This type of engine was fitted to the Taylorcraft Plus C aircraft built in 1939.

8. Plastic model kits
Airfix model of an Auster Antarctic first produced in 1958 in its original packaging.

Lincoln International kit of an Auster Autocar still in its original box.

9. Footsteps
Standard Auster footsteps used for clambering into the aircraft cabin.

9. Tail Wheel
A moveable castoring tail wheel and leaf spring from an Auster J4 aircraft which was attached to the stern post at the rear of the aircraft fuselage. It helped to steer the aircraft on the ground.

10. Model Aircraft
Models of aircraft produced and repaired by Taylorcraft during the Second World War (1939-1945). From the top these are a Hawker Hurricane, DeHaviland Tiger Moth, Hawker Typhoon and an Auster AOP aircraft.

11. Cockpit Section
Windscreen and front cockpit section from an Auster J4 aircraft.

12. Auster Seat
The rear passenger seat from a post-war Auster J1 Autocrat three seat aircraft. The seat was mounted sideways behind the front seats in the cabin.

13. Model of an Auster J4
A large-scale flying model of an Auster J4. The airframe is constructed from balsa-wood which is covered with tissue paper treated with cellulose dope. This model is powered by a rubber band and would be launched by hand into free flight.

14. Control Cable
A coil of control cable which operates the ailerons, elevators and rudder manually from the pilots controls in the cabin.

14. Aircraft Fabric
Fabric patches which were used for repairing the damaged covering on Auster aircraft.

14. Control Wheel
Pilots control wheel from a Taylorcraft Plus C aircraft.

15. Auster J4 Instrument panel
The instruments in an aircraft are vital for safety during flight. This simple instrument panel was fitted to the Auster J4 which was produced between 1947 and 1952.

15. Auster Tail Rotor
A tail rotor blade from the experimental Auster helicopter which was built to a British Army specification but never actually flew.

15. Aircraft Instrument
An artificial horizon instrument which enables the pilot to check if the aircraft is flying level. This is particularly important whilst flying at night. As you can see, these instruments are delicate and require careful handling!

16. Trim tab
Many Auster aircraft were fitted with a trim tab on the port (left) elevator which was controlled from a lever above the door on the port side of the cabin. A trim tab is used by the pilot to keep the aircraft steady in flight.

17. Flying Helmets
Fleece-lined leather flying helmet dating between the 1930s and 1950s.

Leather lined flying helmet with Gosport tube earpieces used for communication between the aircraft crew. This type of helmet was used extensively during pilot training for the Royal Air Force and by civilian training schools particularly in open cockpit aircraft.

18. Aircraft Data Plate
An aircraft data plate from a post-war Auster J1 Autocrat which was mounted on the right hand side of the cabin. The plate provides details of the performance and capabilities of the aircraft.

18. Engine Control Plate
This plate is mounted on the pilot's dashboard and it houses the levers which are used to operate the aircraft engine controls.

Mounted on the rear wall (in ascending order)

Aircraft Window
A side window from the cockpit of an Auster J4 aircraft.

Cabin Door
The cabin door for entering the aircraft cabin fitted to a Taylorcraft Plus C aircraft built in 1939. The original cream and red paint is visible following conservation work.

Propeller and Nose Cowl
Wooden propeller from a Taylorcraft Plus C aircraft mounted on an Auster nose cowl. The opening on the cowl is the engine air intake which assists with cooling.