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Historic Flying Limited

From Alfawiki
The Aircraft Restoration Company
Company typePrivate
IndustryAircraft restoration and maintenance
FoundedLate 1980s
Headquarters
Duxford, Cambridgeshire
,
England, United Kingdom
ProductsRestoration and construction of Supermarine Spitfires and other vintage aircraft; historic aircraft experience flights

Overview

The Aircraft Restoration Company, previously known as Historic Flying Limited, is a UK-based enterprise dedicated to the refurbishment and construction of Supermarine Spitfires along with other vintage aircraft. Their operations are headquartered at the historic RAF Duxford airfield located in Cambridgeshire, England.

Established in the late 1980s, the company initially focused on returning five Spitfires to airworthy status; these aircraft had previously served as "gate guardians" at various Royal Air Force bases. Since that time, they have restored or newly built more than 30 Spitfires, incorporating recovered components whenever possible. This accounts for approximately one-third of all Spitfires currently capable of flight. Additionally, the organisation has undertaken substantial maintenance projects for the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, supported by the purpose-built Stephenson Hangar. Among the recent efforts was routine upkeep of the BBMF's Avro Lancaster, completed by late summer 2021.

The company holds the distinction of managing and maintaining the greatest fleet of Spitfires and Hurricanes worldwide. Their expertise extends to both significant and routine servicing of RAF BBMF aircraft, including the Avro Lancaster, DC-3 Dakota, and De Havilland Chipmunks.

Beyond restoration and maintenance, The Aircraft Restoration Company also provides historic aircraft experience flights through their internal division, Aerial Collective Duxford.

Completed or ongoing projects

The Aircraft Restoration Company / Historic Flying Limited have successfully restored and returned the following aircraft to flight status:

  • Spitfire Mk XVI RW382: Comprehensive restoration finalized in 1991.
  • Spitfire Mk IX TE566: Complete rebuild finished in 1992.
  • Spitfire Mk XVIII TP280: Full restoration completed in 1992.
  • Spitfire Mk XVI TD248: Entire rebuild concluded in 1992.
  • P-51 Mustang 'Short Fuse Sallee': Post-fire restoration achieved in 1994.
  • Spitfire Mk XIV NH799: Full restoration completed in 1994.
  • Spitfire Mk XIV SM832: Comprehensive rebuild finalized in 1995.
  • Spitfire Mk Vb EP120: Full restoration finished in 1995.
  • Spitfire Mk Vc AR614: Complete rebuild completed in 1996.
  • Spitfire Mk Vb AB910: Major overhaul carried out in 1997.
  • Spitfire Mk XIX PM631: Extensive overhaul completed in 1997.
  • Spitfire Mk Vb BM597: Full restoration finalized in 1997.
  • Hurricane IIc LF363: Complete rebuild achieved in 1998.
  • Spitfire Mk XVIII SM845: Full restoration completed by 2000.
  • Spitfire Mk IX MK912: Comprehensive rebuild finished in 2000.
  • Spitfire Mk XIV RN201: Full restoration concluded in 2002.
  • Spitfire Tr.9 IAC-161 / PV202: Complete rebuild finalized in 2005.
  • Spitfire Mk XVI RW386: Full restoration completed in 2006.
  • Spitfire Mk Vc JG891: Entire rebuild achieved in 2006.
  • Spitfire Mk IX PL344: Major overhaul completed by 2007.
  • Spitfire Mk IXe SL633: Full rebuild finished in 2010.
  • Spitfire Mk Ia P9374: Complete restoration finalized in 2012.
  • Spitfire Mk XIX PS853: Extensive overhaul carried out in 2012.
  • Spitfire Mk Ia N3200: Full rebuild completed in 2014.
  • Spitfire Mk XVIII SM845: Major overhaul accomplished by 2014.
  • Spitfire Mk XIX PS915: Significant overhaul finished in 2016.
  • Spitfire Tr.9 NH341: Full rebuild and type conversion completed in 2017.
  • Spitfire PR Mk XI PL983: Complete restoration finalized in 2018.
  • Lysander V9312: Full rebuild completed in 2018.
  • Spitfire Mk IX MJ271 'The Silver Spitfire': Comprehensive rebuild finished in 2019.
  • Spitfire PR Mk XIX PS890: Full restoration concluded in 2020.
  • Wildcat FM-2 AX733: Complete rebuild completed by 2022.
  • Spitfire Mk.IX ML417: Major overhaul finalized in 2023.
  • Spitfire Tr.9 MJ444: Full restoration finished in 2024.
  • Spitfire Tr.9 BS548: Rebuild prior to shipment, anticipated completion by 2026.
  • Spitfire Tr.9 (identity unknown): Full restoration expected to conclude by 2026.
  • Spitfire Mk.IX PL258: Complete rebuild underway, no projected completion date available.
  • Spitfire (Griffon variant, identity unknown): Full restoration ongoing with no set completion timeline.
  • Hawker Typhoon MkIb RB396: Comprehensive rebuild underway, no expected completion date announced.
  • Focke-Wulf Fw189 (unknown identity): Full reconstruction project ongoing, with no specified completion date.

Operated & Maintained Aircraft

Two Duxford based Spitfires taxi out to take off
Spitfires N3200 and PT462, operated by the Aircraft Restoration Company from Duxford

The Aircraft Restoration Company is responsible for owning, maintaining, or operating the following historic warplanes:

  • Bristol Blenheim Mk1 L6739
  • Spitfire PR Mk XI PL983, also known as 'The NHS Spitfire'
  • Westland Lysander III V9312
  • Spitfire Tr.9 PV202
  • Spitfire Tr.9 PT462
  • Hispano Aviación HA-1112 Yellow 10
  • Harvard T.6 Taz
  • DHC-2 Beaver G-DCHZ

Additionally, the following aircraft are either owned or maintained by the company, though ownership may be private or institutional:

  • Spitfire Mk1a N3200 (Owned by Imperial War Museum)
  • Spitfire Mk Vb BM597 (Privately Owned)
  • Spitfire Mk Vc JG891 (Privately Owned)
  • Spitfire Mk IX MH434 (Privately Owned)
  • Spitfire Mk IX ML417 (Privately Owned)
  • Spitfire Mk IX TD314 (Maintenance Only) (Privately Owned)
  • Spitfire Mk XIV RN201 (Privately Owned)
  • Spitfire Mk XVI TD248 (Maintenance Only) (Privately Owned)
  • Spitfire Tr.9 NH341 (Maintenance Only) (Privately Owned)
  • Spitfire Tr.9 MJ444 (Maintenance Only) (Privately Owned)
  • Hawker Hurricane Mk1 R4118 (Privately Owned)
  • Hurricane Mk1 V7497 (Privately Owned)
  • Hurricane MkIIB BE505 (Privately Owned)
  • Hurricane MkXII 5711 (Maintenance Only) (Privately Owned)
  • P-51D Mustang Marinell (Privately Owned)
  • Wildcat FM-2 AX733 (Privately Owned)

NHS Spitfire Project

File:The NHS Spitfire - THANK U NHS (PL983 G-PRXI).jpg
The 'THANK U NHS' Spitfire conducted multiple flight paths above NHS & HSC Hospitals during 2020.

During the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, the Aircraft Restoration Company adorned the underside of their Spitfire PR Mk XI PL983 with the phrase 'THANK U NHS'. Over a four-month period, this aircraft flew numerous routes covering more than 250 NHS and HSC locations throughout the UK, as a tribute to healthcare professionals battling the virus. Concurrently, members of the public contributed donations to support 'The NHS Spitfire' initiative; each donor’s chosen name was meticulously inscribed onto the aircraft’s surface. By January 2021, this campaign had accumulated upwards of £130,000, all of which was donated to NHS Charities Together.

Film work

Throughout its history, the Aircraft Restoration Company has contributed to a variety of television and film productions, frequently supplying aircraft, experienced pilots, historical consultation, and expertise in aerial coordination.

Notable projects include:

References

External links

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