The Boeing Aeroplane Company was founded by William E Boeing on 15 July 1916. The company was originally called the Pacific Aero Products Company. The company's first aircraft, produced in June 1916, was the single-engine biplane seaplane aircraft, the Boeing Model 1. In February 1933 Boeing introduced the Boeing Model 247, an all-metal, propeller-driven aeroplane. In 1938 Boeing introduced the Boeing 314 Clipper flying boat, which were used by Pan American World Airways and British Overse... Read more about the Boeing Aeroplane Company
The Bristol Aeroplane Company was founded in 1910 by Sir George White as the British and Colonial Aircraft Company. Based at Filton in Bristol the company produced its first aircraft, the Bristol Boxkite, in 1910. During the Great War the company produced a number of different military fighters, including the Bristol Scout. By 1920 the company had adopted the 'Bristol' name and by 1928 was producing the Bristol Bulldog military biplane. Further military aircraft, including the Bristol Beau... Read more about the Bristol Aeroplane Company
In 1959 a Government enforced merger saw the aviation interests of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, English Electric, Hunting Aircraft and Vickers-Armstrongs merge to form the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC). The company continued to manufacture existing aircraft - such as the Vickers VC10 - under their original manufacturer's name. The first BAC aircraft was the BAC 1-11 aircraft. In total 224 aircraft were built between 1963 to 1982. BAC also produced military aircraft including the BAC... Read more about the British Aircraft Corporation
The de Havilland Aircraft Company was founded in 1920 by Geoffrey de Havilland. Prior to establishing the company de Havilland worked as chief designer for the Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco). Initially the company produced biplane aircraft, such as the de Havilland Gipsy Moth. Subsequent aircraft included the de Havilland Dragon Rapide passenger aircraft. During the Second World War de Havilland built the famous Mosquito fighter-bomber aircraft. 7,781 Mosquito aircraft were built... Read more about the de Havilland Aircraft Company
Hawker Siddeley Aviation was formed in 1935 when Hawker Aircraft acquired engine manufacturer Armstrong Siddeley and aircraft manufacturer Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, along with A V Roe & Company (Avro) and Gloster Aircraft Company. Each company produced their own designs: Avro produced the famous four-engined Lancaster bomber; Hawker Siddeley produced the Hawker Hurricane, made famous during the Battle of Britain; and Gloster went on to produce the Gloser Meteor, the only jet to be use... Read more about the Hawker Siddeley Aviation
Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd was formed in 1927 by the merger of Vickers Limited and the Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth & Company. During the Great War Vickers had produced a number of military aircraft, including the Vickers Vimy heavy-bomber. Following the merger Vickers-Armstrongs interests were expanded to include shipbuilding and armaments. In 1928 Vickers acquired the Supermarine Aviation Works. Supermarine later went on to produce the legendary Second World War fighter aircraf... Read more about the Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd
