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Aero Vintage Limited
(AV) was formed in 1982 by Guy Black as a hobby with the
idea of acquiring a small collection of vintage aircraft. At
this time the interest in collecting old aircraft was much
in its infancy, and a little in the way of materials
appeared to be available. Guy started out by commissioning a
pair of replica Sopwith Pups done to an exacting standard of
accuracy, complete with original Le Rhone rotary engine,
instruments and Vickers gun.
In 1990, Guy decided that there should be a theme to the
aircraft he was collecting, which would be generated around
the principle aeroplanes, being Rolls-Royce engined. So
starting with an original 1917 Bristol Fighter along with
the Hawker biplanes, the theme was starting to become a
reality with a heavy restoration programme in progress.
Retrotec Limited, the recently formed engineering arm of
Aero Vintage, has extensive engineering facilities at its
Westfield works, and this is where most of the major
restoration and engineering work is undertaken. The works
was set up primarily because the company found it very hard
to out-source high-quality engineering work, and very often
it was found that parts supplied had to be extensively
re-made or rejected. Apart from airworthiness inspection in
the form of licensed engineers, Retrotec, recognising the
high level of manufacturing involved in aircraft
restoration, is believed to be the only aircraft restoration
company that employs a full-time CAA approved engineering
inspector in a well equipped inspection room.
Retrotec has become an established leader in “re-inventing”
long obsolete engineering manufacturing techniques which are
associated with its more obscure aircraft restorations. They
have installed purpose built machinery to manufacture the
special tubular sections need for pre-war British aircraft
and are also able to produce streamline shaped tubing,
obscure oblong or oval sections, and also rectangular and
square sections all in low volumes, which are proving
popular amongst aircraft restorers & manufacturers, racing
car & motorcycle manufacturers along with private
collectors. A recent addition has been the installation of
equipment to make streamline flying wires as well as wasted
tension wires and rods.
Retrotec works in close association with
Historic Aircraft Collection Ltd. and manages or
undertakes all the restoration work for its growing
collection of aircraft. It has also provided major
engineering support to
Hawker Restorations, for their Hurricane restoration
work in the manufacturing of their tube squaring machine and
rolls, the manufacture of tubular rivets, Fairey cowling
fasteners, spars for the Hurricane tailplane and fin, and
also rolled spars sections for the massive doubled centre
sections main wing spars.
In addition to the above, Retrotec has completely rebuilt
the BBMF Hurricane LF 363 fuselage framework on behalf of
the MoD primary contractors, Historic Flying Ltd., after its
near catastrophic landing accident in 1991. The company has also manufactured
new Gloster Gladiator spars, the same for the RN Historic
Flight for their Swordfish, and many other specialist parts
for the aircraft restoration world.
For further enquiries about restoration work or engineering
services, the please contact us.
If you can assist with any information, parts, manuals or
Kestrel engines for the Hawker biplanes or on any of the
aircraft featured on the site, especially those under
restoration, then please contact us.
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