Croydon Aircraft Company

The Croydon Aircraft Company is an aircraft company in New Zealand. Its main activities include restoring vintage aircraft, providing scenic and aerial experience flights in vintage aircraft, and providing pilot training in vintage aircraft.

The Croydon Aircraft Company hangar at Old Mandeville Airfield

It runs the Old Mandeville Airfield, in Mandeville, New Zealand, where it is located.

Aircraft on site and stored in the adjacent museum[1] include several Tiger Moths and other aircraft in the de Havilland family, such as the Fox Moth and a very rare[2] de Havilland Dragonfly. These aircraft are regularly flown.

A replica of the Pither Monoplane was constructed and flown by CAC.[3]

Recently a Beechcraft Staggerwing restoration was completed Around the world in a Staggerwing | D-17S Beechcraft | Captain Biff Windsock | William M. Charney | Reno, NV and 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.[4]

A popular fly-in[5] 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.[6][7]

References
  1. "Gore NZ Our Heritage".
  2. "Oldprops De Havilland Dragon/Dragon Rapide/Dragonfly Census".
  3. "Rare piece of aviation history taking to the skies". 3 News. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  4. Pokoney, Cassandra (31 December 2010). "Hill leads lists of New Year honours". The Southland Times. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  5. "About Questia | Questia, Your Online Research Library". www.questia.com.
  6. Gerken, Sonia (23 February 2010). "Old birds please crowds at Mandeville fly-in". The Southland Times. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  7. "Things To Do In New Zealand: Attractions & Activities". www.newzealand.com.


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