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J-1 Autocrat
Type	Touring aircraft
Manufacturer	Auster Aircraft Limited
Maiden flight	1945
Produced	1945-1952
Number built	420
Developed from	Taylorcraft Auster 5
Variants	Auster Workmaster

The Auster J-1 Autocrat was a 1940s British single-engined three-seat high-wing touring monoplane built by Auster Aircraft Limited at Rearsby, Leicestershire.

Contents 1 History 2 Variants 3 Operators 4 Specifications (J-1) 5 Reference 6 External links 7 Related content

As the end of the Second World War approached the designers at Taylorcraft decided to develop a tourer version of the robust and reliable Taylorcraft Auster obervation aircraft series. An Auster 5, registered G-AGOH, was modified to take a 100 hp (75 kW) Blackburn Cirrus II engine for trials. At the same time a prototype aircraft was built designated the Taylorcraft Auster V Series J-1 Autocrat. The long name was not used as the company changed name to Auster Aircraft Limited and the aircraft became known as the Auster J-1 Autocrat.

The first production aircraft, registered G-AGTO, was delivered in December 1945. One of the more spectacular feats of the aircraft was the first visit of a civilian aircraft to an aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious in the English Channel in October 1946. The last Rearsby built J-1s were delivered in 1952.

The Autocraft became one of the most succesfull post-war British light aircraft with more than 400 built. A small number of variants were built and the aircraft became the basis for a family of light aircraft.

• Auster J-1 Autocrat - production version with Blackburn Cirrus II engine.
• Auster J-1A Autocrat - additional (fourth-seat) for joyriding.
• Auster J-1B Aiglet - crop-dusting agricultural aircraft with a de Havilland Gipsy Major I and increased size rudder.
• Auster J-1N Alpha - powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major I engine.
• Auster J-1S Autocrat - powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 Mk 2-2 engine.

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 25 ft 3 in ()
• Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in ()
• Height: 6 ft 6 in ()
• Wing area: 185 ft² ()
• Empty weight: 1,052 lb ()
• Max takeoff weight: 1,850 lb ()
• Powerplant: 1× Blackburn Cirrus Minor 2 piston, 100 hp (76 kw)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 120 mph
• Range: 320 miles (515 km)
• Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4300 m)

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. 
• Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1. London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 10006 9. 

Designation sequence

J-1 Autocrat • J-1U Workmaster • J-2 Arrow • J-3 Atom • Auster J-4 • J-5 Autocar • J-5 Aiglet Trainer • J-5 Alpine