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Aircraft |
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A selection
of pictures of aircraft seen at Croydon throughout it's
history |
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The Aircraft
Manufacturing Co (Airco) |
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The Aircraft Manufacturing Company
Limited (Airco) was a British aircraft manufacturer operating
from 1912 to 1920. Airco produced thousands of aircraft for the
British military during the First World War, most of which were
designed by their chief designer, Geoffrey de Havilland. Advertised
in 1918 as the largest aircraft company in the world, Airco established
the first airline in the United Kingdom, Aircraft Transport and
Travel Limited, as a subsidiary. A glut of war surplus aircraft
and a lack of government interest in aviation caused the company
to become unprofitable, and in 1920 it was sold to Birmingham
Small Arms Company, who had its operations liquidated later that
year. |
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Airco DH4 |
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(above and below)
On the 8th of September
1922 the first King's Cup Race was held at Croydon Aerodrome.
This was an annual British handicapped cross-country air race,
run by the Royal Aero Club Records Racing and Rally Association
. The event was open to British pilots only, but that did include
members of the Commonwealth. The event was established by King
George V as an incentive to the development of light aircraft
and engine design. The first race was an 810-mile contest from
Croydon Aerodrome, to Glasgow, Scotland and back again after
an overnight stop. The winner of the first race was Frank L.
Barnard, chief pilot of the Instone Air Line, in a passenger-carrying
'Airco DH.4A' (picture
below) |
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(above)
'Airco DH4' the 'Kings
Cup' winner 1922. |
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(above) 'Airco DH4A' 'City Of York'. |
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Airco DH6 |
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(below) Airco DH6 G-EAVG |
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Airco DH9 |
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(above) DH9's under construction |
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(above)
an 'Airco DH4A' in August 1919 at the London Aerodrome Hendon
of A.T & T, ( below) in 1920 now at Waddon Aerodrome. |
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(above) 'Airco DH9' |
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(above) 'Airco DH9'. 1920 |
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Airco DH18 |
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(below) AT &T DH18. 1920 |
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(above and below)
'Airco DH18's', both transferred to Daimler Airway from Instone's
in 1922. |
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(below) 'Airco DH 18'. 'City OF Cardiff'. |
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(above) 'Airco DH18a'. |
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Airco DH34 |
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(above) Daimler Airway's early 'Airco
DH34'. in the Red & White livery of Daimler Airway. |
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(above)
an 'Airco DH34' the
'City of Newcastle'. (below) the same aircraft but later with
both 'Instone' and 'Imperial' markings. |
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Airco DH50 |
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(above) 'Airco DH50' |
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(above) 'Airco DH50' at Waddon. November
1925 |
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