<p>We specialise in the manufacturing and restoration of de Havilland and vintage aircraft.
</p><p>Croydon Aircraft Company was established in 1986 by Colin and Maeva Smith, as a restoration facility for wood and fabric type 1920-30's aeroplanes based on the Old Mandeville Airfield, 10 minutes from Gore. The airfield was first used in 1921 - home to Avro 504K's and early DH Moths. It was part of Maeva's family farm and remains so today. The old original wooden T-hangar still stands on its original site and is still home to a de Havilland Moth. With orders to rebuild two DH Tiger Moth vintage aircraft, Colin - a stud sheep farmer with an engineering background - and one other employee - began to work.
</p><p>Today there are 11 employees and the Company has a world-wide reputation for its restoration work.
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Most of the work carried out is to original specfications and materials, as was used in the 1930's when these type of aircraft were built originally. The company has many of the original de Havilland drawings which is essential if the completed aircraft are to be granted a Certificate of Airworthiness by the NZ Aviation Authority.
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/88123769@N02">Bernard Spragg. NZ</a> from Christchurch, New Zealand
2015-02-12 14:55
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/volvob12b/16650115122/">De Havilland DH98 Restoration.</a>