The Croydon Aircraft Company is an
aircraft
An aircraft ( aircraft) is a vehicle that is able to flight, fly by gaining support from the Atmosphere of Earth, air. It counters the force of gravity by using either Buoyancy, static lift or the Lift (force), dynamic lift of an airfoil, or, i ...
company in
New Zealand
New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
. Its main activities include restoring vintage aircraft, providing scenic and aerial experience flights in vintage aircraft, and providing
pilot training in vintage aircraft.
It runs the
Old Mandeville Airfield, in
Mandeville, New Zealand, where it is located.
Aircraft on site and stored in the adjacent museum include several
Tiger Moths and other aircraft in the
de Havilland
The de Havilland Aircraft Company Limited (pronounced , ) was a British aviation manufacturer established in late 1920 by Geoffrey de Havilland at Stag Lane Aerodrome Edgware on the outskirts of North London. Operations were later moved to ...
family, such as the
Fox Moth and a very rare
de Havilland Dragonfly. These aircraft are regularly flown.
A replica of the
Pither Monoplane was constructed and flown by CAC.
Recently a
Beechcraft Staggerwing restoration was complete
Around the world in a Staggerwing , D-17S Beechcraft , Captain Biff Windsock , William M. Charney , Reno, NVand other Staggerwing restorations are in progress. A replica of the
de Havilland DH.88 Comet is under construction.
The company is owned and run by Colin and Maeve Smith. In 2011, Colin Smith was made a member of the
NZ Order of Merit for his services to the aviation and tourism industries.
A popular fly-in and open day is hosted the eighth weekend of every year. Vintage cars, steam vehicles, old stationary engines and, of course, aircraft are on display. Joy rides in vintage aircraft are a feature of the day.
References
External links
Company web site
Aircraft manufacturers of New Zealand
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