The former Taree airport terminal operator owns a retractable stretcher he believes was used to transport patients to Sydney.

"I think it was used if a passenger needed to be loaded on the plane, and if they were incapacitated to help them sit up," he said.

"The patient would be strapped in and flown to Sydney."

The seat dates back to the early '60s, inscribed with the words 'Presented to Manning River County Council by Taree Rotary, Lions and Apex Clubs. 29/6/61.

Mr Stanfield found the seat at the site of the old terminal before it was demolished in 2001, during his tenure as the airport terminal operator from 1987 to 2002 with his wife Joanne.

"As they were ripping up the old terminal building they were taking items on the back of the truck to the tip," he said.

"And I thought that the seat had some kind of historical value so I kept it, as i f I see something like that destroyed I think it's a shame.

"There was only one found, and it might be the only one of its kind."

The aviation enthusiast is appealing to anyone who may shed more light on the background of the seat.

"We've been trying to find out more about it, as it's been sitting in the shed and I've hit my toe on it several times and thought 'I've got to do something about the history'," he said.

"We really have to track down what it was, whether it was from a DC3 or DC2,

"We're after anyone who has any information about its use for transporting passengers."

Mr Stanfield said he had plans to give up his prized possession.

"I'm going to give it to the Manning Valley Historical Society," he said.