We employ some of the best vintage aviation engineers in the world. 

Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) is a family-owned engineering business which specialises in the restoration, maintenance and operations of vintage aircraft.  From their facility based at Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire, the company provides an extensive range of aviation services to private aircraft owners and the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

With CAA approvals in M3, M5, B1 and E4, the Company has completed many restorations over the years, both flying and static, for museums and private collectors. Expansion and development of the business allowed the company in 2008 to qualify its reputation with the award of BS EN ISO 9001:2008 systems certification.

The Company’s Founder and Director is John Romain MBE, a former Hawker Siddeley apprentice and BAE aero engineer.  John is also a highly experienced warbird pilot with dozens of different types in his logbook including over 1000 hours in Spitfires alone. 

ARCo undertake projects from re-builds and major servicing all the way down to minor repairs and routine maintenance for a number of vintage aircraft owners in the UK and around the world.  In addition to these they also provide the major servicing to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster, Dakota and Chipmunks. 

Starting a Spitfire with Bremont

Our good friends at Bremont Watches often come by the hangars over the summer months whilst out on aerial adventures in their Max Holste Broussard, affectionately known as the Bremont Bus. During one such visit, whilst enjoying a ‘fly-though’ coffee in the Duxford sunshine, they watched as the Aerial Collective Spitfires roared into life on the grass opposite. It sparked an idea to create a ‘how to’ video on starting the most icon of vintage flying machines, the Mk1 Spitfire. We hope you enjoy!