Aircraft Restoration Company

What Aircraft Restoration Company does

Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) is a family-owned specialist aviation firm founded in 1989 and headquartered at Duxford Airfield, Cambridge, UK. The company restores, maintains, and operates vintage military aircraft, with a particular focus on WWII-era fighters and bombers. Its restoration portfolio includes approximately one-third of the world's airworthy Spitfires and over 100 total airframes restored or maintained, and it is the operator of the world's only airworthy Bristol Blenheim.

ARCo's services span full airframe restoration, ongoing maintenance, aircraft charter and transport, sale and brokerage of completed restorations, airshow participation, and the supply of airworthy aircraft to film and television productions. Income is generated through long-duration, high-value restoration contracts with private collectors; recurring maintenance relationships with institutions such as the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and the Imperial War Museum at Duxford; production fees from major film studios including Eon Productions, Christopher Nolan productions, and Warner Bros.; paid passenger flight experiences marketed under the Aerial Collective brand; and branded merchandise sold under Rutley's Supply Co. The company operates from the Stephenson Hangar at Duxford and is led by John Romain MBE.

The underlying business is built on engineering craft, regulatory certification (UK Civil Aviation Authority and equivalent foreign authorities), and a curated pipeline of period-correct parts and technical data. Headcount is reported at 11-50 employees. Commercial reach extends internationally, with merchandise shipped to the United States, Bahrain, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and continental Europe, and operational contracts executed on multiple continents. Multiple award wins at events such as the Goodwood Revival reinforce the firm's standing within the global heritage aviation community.

Name

Aircraft Restoration Company

Legal name

Aircraft Restoration Company Limited

Website

https://aircraftrestorationcompany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aircraft Restoration Company, founded 1989 at Duxford Airfield, UK, restores, maintains, and operates vintage military aircraft for private collectors, the RAF BBMF, museums, and major film studios, operating the world's only airworthy Bristol Blenheim.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Restoration Services

NAICS

Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Modification, Retrofit & Engineering (STC, Avionics Upgrades, Conversions) (TLAKAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Conversion & Modification (STC/Completions) (IMABAAAI), Military Aircraft MRO & Depot Maintenance (IMABALAN), Structural Repair, Modification & Composite Rework (Airframe) (IMABAEAH)

Keywords

• Vintage aircraft restoration
• Warbird maintenance services
• Historic aviation engineering
• Aircraft transportation services
• Warbird flight experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Restoration Services: Ground-up rebuilds and major restoration projects for vintage aircraft. Custom project-based work with Services Schedule outlining scope, timeline and pricing. Deposits required before work commences with monthly invoicing during project.
2. Maintenance Services: Routine maintenance, minor repairs, and day-to-day operations of vintage aircraft for collectors. Ongoing service relationships with aircraft custodians in UK and worldwide.
3. Warbird Sales and Brokerage: Assistance in finding suitable aircraft from wider warbird market. Professional and detailed surveys for aircraft purchases. Facilitation of aircraft ownership transitions.
4. Aerial Collective Flight Experiences: Warbird flight experience operations through sister company Aerial Collective Duxford, offering flights in Spitfires, Hurricane, Bristol Blenheim, and other vintage aircraft.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) restores, maintains, and operates vintage military aircraft—primarily WWII-era warbirds such as Spitfires, Hurricanes, Mustangs, Blenheims, and Lysanders—for private collectors, museums, and government clients from purpose-built hangars at Duxford Airfield, Cambridge. The firm delivers ground-up rebuilds, major servicing, routine maintenance, pre-purchase inspections, and international aircraft transportation, supplemented by airshow display bookings, film/TV aviation services, and warbird passenger flights through its sister brand Aerial Collective Duxford.

Product overview

Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) is a family-owned aviation services provider specializing in the restoration, maintenance, and operation of vintage military aircraft from Duxford Airfield, Cambridge. The core offering centers on Aircraft Restoration Services — ground-up rebuilds, major servicing, minor repairs, routine maintenance, and day-to-day operations of warbirds including Spitfires, Hurricanes, Blenheims, Lysanders, Mustangs, and other WWII-era aircraft. This is complemented by Aerial Collective Duxford, their in-house warbird flight experience operation offering passenger flights in multiple aircraft types. Supporting the main business is Rutley's Supply Co., a merchandise brand launched in 2024 providing clothing and crew supplies. Additional services include pre-purchase inspections and valuations, cinema/TV aircraft provision, airshow flying displays, and international aircraft transportation. The company evolved from the merger of Historic Flying Ltd and Propshop Ltd, both now fully integrated under Managing Director John Romain MBE.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rutley's Supply Co. General supplies and clothing brand launched in 2024, providing merchandise and crew outfit for ARCo and Aerial Collective. Products designed by in-house creative team based within ARCo hangars, drawing influence from aircraft history, Duxford heritage, and engineering/aerial adventuring nature.
• Aerial Collective Duxford

Products and services

• Aircraft Restoration Services Ground-up rebuilds, major servicing, routine maintenance, and day-to-day operations of vintage military aircraft (Spitfires, Hurricanes, Blenheims, Mustangs, Lysanders, etc.) for private collectors, museums, and government clients in the UK and worldwide.
• Aircraft Engineering and Maintenance Services Comprehensive engineering and maintenance services for approved aircraft types including rare and unique vintage aircraft projects, with the maintenance department operating from Stephenson Hangar at Duxford Airfield.
• Pre-Purchase Aircraft Inspections and Valuations Professional pre-purchase inspections, detailed surveys, and valuations carried out by ARCo's engineering team to assess aircraft condition and protect prospective buyers from financial mishaps when acquiring warbird aircraft.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35+ years operating since 1989
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Warner Bros (Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Provided stunt pilots and full engineering support for Stearman and Yak camera-ship aircraft. Supported global logistics moving aircraft fleet to South Africa and back. Modified aircraft for stunt-specific requirements. Supported premiere by transporting and building aircraft in Leicester Square.
• Rutley's Supply Co.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024General supplies and clothing brand launched in 2024, providing merchandise and crew outfit across both ARCo and Aerial Collective. Products designed by in-house creative team based within ARCo hangars. Designs draw influence from aircraft history and Duxford heritage.
• Imperial War MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015ARCo maintains Spitfire Ia N3200 (G-CFGJ) owned by IWM Duxford since 2015 when Thomas Kaplan donated aircraft. ARCo provides ongoing maintenance and operation. Prince William attended handover ceremony and signed cockpit door.
• Propshop LimitedcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerARCo may subcontract Services to Propshop Limited at any time without client consent. Propshop is company number 02990031, registered at Building 425 Duxford Airfield. VAT number 125449220. Propshop was originally founded by John Romain and later merged operations with Historic Flying Ltd to form modern ARCo.
• Hurricane HeritagecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHurricane Heritage operates Hurricane R4118 (maintained by ARCo) and Hurricane BE505 'Pegs' (maintained by ARCo, operated by Hurricane Heritage from White Waltham). ARCo provides maintenance services for their fleet.
• Aerial Collective DuxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARCo's dedicated warbird flight experience operation based within ARCo's working hangars at Duxford Airfield. Offers flights in Spitfires, Hurricane, Bristol Blenheim, and other vintage aircraft. Shares facilities and engineering resources with ARCo.
• Old Flying Machine CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOFMC manages operation of Spitfire MH434, one of the most famous Spitfires. Sarah Hanna continues to manage aircraft operation following father Ray Hanna's passing. ARCo and OFMC share Duxford home base and have longstanding relationship.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Comanche Warbirds: US-based vintage military aircraft restoration and operation business serving private collectors. Directly comparable as a peer in warbird restoration and operation targeting the HNWI collector segment.
• Patina Ltd: UK-based Spitfire restoration specialist known for high-authenticity rebuilds of marque Spitfire variants. Directly comparable given overlap in Spitfire restoration specialism, client base, and craftsmanship-led positioning.
• The Fighter Collection: Based at Duxford Airfield like ARCo, The Fighter Collection operates and displays the largest privately-owned collection of airworthy WWII fighter aircraft in Europe. Directly comparable given shared location, shared clientele, and overlapping warbird operations.
• Aero Legends: UK-based warbird flight-experience operator offering Spitfire, Hurricane, and other vintage aircraft flights. Directly comparable as a peer in the warbird experience market targeting enthusiast consumers with similar aircraft types and value propositions.
• The Collings Foundation: US-based non-profit that operates and tours a fleet of WWII aircraft including bombers and fighters, offering flight experiences and STEM education. Directly comparable as a vintage aircraft operator with restoration, maintenance, and flight-experience offerings.
• Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar: UK-based vintage aircraft restoration facility at the historic Biggin Hill airfield, restoring Spitfires, Hurricanes, and other WWII types. Directly comparable as a UK Spitfire/Hurricane restoration specialist serving private collectors.
• Old Flying Machine Company: Long-standing Duxford-based warbird operator that manages Spitfire MH434 and offers warbird experiences. Directly comparable as a fellow Duxford warbird operator with overlapping customer base and complementary aircraft operation model.

Broad incumbents

• Commemorative Air Force: Large US-based warbird organization operating one of the world's largest fleets of restored WWII aircraft across multiple units. Broad incumbent in vintage aircraft operation and restoration with overlapping mission but significantly larger scale and unit network.
• Planes of Fame Air Museum: Major US warbird museum based in Chino, California, with extensive restoration capability and a large airworthy aircraft collection. Broad incumbent combining museum, restoration, and airshow operations that overlaps ARCo's restoration and display activities.

Others

• Imperial War Museum Duxford: Duxford Airfield museum that is both a customer and an adjacent heritage aviation institution. Connected as a major heritage aircraft owner/customer but does not directly compete in restoration services or flight-experience operation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aircraftrestorationcompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/aircraftrestorationcompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aircraft-restoration-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aircraft Restoration Company