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aircraft

 Photo of Bulldog
Photo of Vickers Gunbus

Authentically restored aircraft appeal to collectors, ground technical schools and museums. Retro Aviation has worked with many groups, private individuals and enthusiasts to restore precious aircraft or to develop private collections.

Vintage aircraft can make a stunning first impression when displayed outside corporate locations. Recent customers have included garden centres and a luxury car dealership.

Retro Aviation has also developed a niche in providing cost effective ownership solutions for individuals and groups wishing to operate military jets. Typical prices range from £8,000 to £25,000. Flexible packages can be offered for storage and rebuild to a variety of states from static to taxiable to airworthy.

Having developed a particular expertise in 1960’s and 1970’s jets, the business has also expanded in the area of co-partnered salvage of World War 2 aircraft. Richard is often also the first port of call for Museum curators both in the UK and US when sourcing new acquisitions.

current stock

See our current stock list of aircraft and cockpits (Word doc, 200kb).

recent projects

A selection of recent aircraft supply projects:

  • after working with Retro Aviation on a canopy restoration, the Notts & Lincs Air Museum at Newark needed a Scottish Aviation Bulldog XX634, a primary military trainer, to enhance its collection. It was only the second such model to join a museum collection and has a special place in recent aviation history as it provided side-by-side dual control training to the RAF for many years. Once the aircraft had been sourced, restored and transported to its final destination, Richard and his team also led the re-assembly at the Museum (see top photo above)
  • Brooklands Flying Club at Sywell in Northants, one of the longest-established UK flying clubs, needed a centrepiece for their Hangar 1 conference venue. Their chosen aircraft had to be in keeping with the image of the facility - “wind in the wires” and a bygone era of leather helmets and flying goggles! Retro supplied a Vickers Gunbus replica aircraft. The project involved rebuilding, packing and logistics management of this fragile and important replica (see bottom photo above)
  • Project Whitley has attracted recent press attention. This involves the recovery of a Whitley bomber that ditched in the Baltic Sea in 1941 and which currently lies under 120 feet of sea water

enquiries and visitors

We welcome all enquiries and welcome visitors by appointment only. Please contact us by email. Please see the following list for enthusiasts showing all aircraft currently on strength:

  • L-29 Delfin: ex-Romanian Air Force from BOBOC
  • Air Force Code 26 Serial 893049: to be exported to Australia
  • Code 53 Serial 395189: private owner UK, ground runner
  • Code 29 Serial 893046: spares recovery, Retro
  • Code 47 Serial 692147: sold to Virtual Flight UK
  • Code 42 Serial 792642: restoration to ground running, Retro
  • Cessna 310 L G-BBBX: ex-Atlantic owned Retro
  • Sea Hawk FGA6 XE368: part-restored by Retro to Walney Island
  • Convair 440 G-CONV: at Coventry to Scotland
  • Hawker Hunter FGA11 WT711: restoration Retro
  • Avro 19 G-AYWA: store at Retro