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Aircraft Restoration Company

Name: Aircraft Restoration Company
Address: Building 425 Duxford Airfield, Cambridge, CB224QR, GB
Telephone: +44 (0)1223 835313

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Aircraft Restoration Co is a vintage aero engineering and flight company based at Duxford Airfield UK

The Aircraft Restoration Company are aero engineering specialists based at Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire. From this historic base ARCo provides an extensive range of aviation services for its clients. The company’s founder is John Romain, a former Hawker Siddeley and BAE aero engineer. John is also a highly experienced warbird pilot with dozens of different types in his logbook and over 1000 hours on Spitfires alone. ARCo undertake full restorations, servicing and repairs on vintage aircraft for clients in the UK and around the world. As well as this they also provide the major servicing of Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Dakota and Lancaster.

16/10/2026

RK858 is flying through it’s first hours in the sky - A crucial part of the aircraft’s journey before experience flights can commence. Pilots will tell you, aircraft of the same type are all the same but different; these flying machines are meticulously built by hand and so, each one has its own unique character.
With JR at the controls, RK fired up and began her first airborne adventure in over 80 years. Chief
Restoration Engineer, Mo, along with a gathering of our restoration team where there to witness the results of all their meticulous work and expertise.
The first flight is one of observation and a simple question - is the aeroplane behaving as it should? Gauges and dials are checked; rpm, temperature and pressures monitored and at a safe altitude, general handling is conducted. On the first take off, control inputs can feel a little out of the ordinary but once airborne and settled, the trim can be adjusted as needed and once back on the ground, further small tweaks can be made such as fine tuning of the ailerons. Slow flight and stalling is performed to determine the handling characteristics as it is crucial to know how your machine will handle in these instances. The aircraft is stalled ‘clean’, straight and level and in turns. Then it is stalled ‘dirty’ - at approach configuration to mimic conditions close to the ground - with gear down and flaps extended.

After a successful first flight, Mo was next in cockpit with a similar exercise conducted. After the completion of a few flights, the cowlings were then removed for a first inspection. This includes an examination of the cam, as well as oil filters to ensure there is no evidence of metal being made during initial operation. Following this, Alex Romain hopped in the back seat to assist in completing the CAA Test Schedule and ensuring all back cockpit functionality was performing as expected.
A number of airborne hours logged and the aircraft is starting to bed in like a new pair of shoes. Following pleasing results and an issued permit to fly, RK has now taken a few friends of ARCo for a trip around her new patch of Duxford skies, and this weekend, will take her first Aerial Collective customer.

06/10/2026

This past Saturday was Duxford’s October Flying Finale. With a strong lineup and dramatic autumn skies, it was the perfect end to a busy season of flying days & airshows put on by the Imperial War Museums here at Duxford Airfield.

During the show, there was one display in particular that meant more to our team than perhaps any other of this season… The Chipmunk solo. This wonderfully flown display, in one of histories favourite RAF trainers, was the first public display flown by Matt Rowland. Matt has been a part of the ARCo family since he joined as an apprentice, and over the past years he has been building his flying credentials alongside his day to day engineering. Having secured his Display Authorisation earlier this year, the October show presented the perfect scenario for that leap into the world of display flying - stepping out onto centre stage, and flying your first routine in front of the crowd!

Matt, from all your colleagues here at ARCo, we want to say a massive congratulations, and well done! The display was beautiful, and your calmness and composure as you climbed into the cockpit and taxied out was inspiring to all of us who were there to witness it. Here is to many exciting things to come in your flying future!

Finally, we just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who has come along and supported Duxford Airfield this summer season. Although this brings an end to the airshows and flying days for 2026, there are still some exciting ground based events coming up in the calendar which can be found on the IWM Duxford website. Aerial Collective will also be continuing to fly passengers into the Autumn and Winter months where weather allows - so the theme-song of Merlin engines will never be too far away…

The focus now begins to shift towards the fast approaching winter maintenance season, with many of the single seat fleet being inhibited and put away for a well earned rest! As the nights draw in and the temperatures begin to fall, inside of these hangar walls there is a hive of activity, as we prepare the aeroplanes to do it all again in 2027… We’ll see you back on the Duxford flight line in the Spring 🕊️ .

01/10/2026

Yesterday afternoon, the last day of September, our latest Spitfire restoration ‘RK858’ - painted in the guise of 72 Squadron Mk.IX MH763 - took off into the Duxford skies for her first flight.

It was a wonderful way to cap a month that has felt full of special moments. From the arrival of the Maude P-40, the IWM September Airshow, and now the first flight of ‘RK’ - as the aircraft has become affectionately known. The Spitfire flew two sorties on the initial day, the first in the hands of JR, whom upon returning, asked Mo if he fancied taking it for a trip too. With the initial flights complete, we can begin flying the aircraft through the remainder of the test schedule, working up to joining the Aerial Collective fleet, and becoming our third twin seat Spitfire to offer flight experiences from our hangars here at Duxford.

To all the wonderful individuals who make up our restoration team - from the artisans and engineers on the shop floor, to the designers and office crew who support all the work that goes into a project like this - thank you! This is Spitfire number 26, returned to the skies since 1991. For some of you, this is the first one you have seen finished, for others, you have been there from the very start… We couldn’t be prouder of you all.

We would also like to thank the wider industry, both here in Blighty and across the world. No one company does everything when it comes to restorations of this scale, and without the knowledge and passion of specialist workshops, aircraft like RK would never make it back to flight. From fellow fabricators to engine shops, propeller makers to radiator repairers, and many more, you all know who you are, and we are grateful to you all.

With the Spitfire wing and fuselage jigs full, and the next 3 all at various stages of completion, there seems to be plenty more engineering on the horizon. Not to mention some of the rarer machines being slowly brought back to life, the Fw-189, Fairy Firefly and most recently P-40 Kittyhawk to name a few. For now though, it’s about enjoying the moment! Of watching ‘RK’ take that first leap into the skies, reminiscing over the years of work that have brought her back to life.

25/09/2026

Last Friday, on the 18th of September 2026, Martin ‘Mo’ Overall became just the 8th pilot in ARCo’s history to fly the Blenheim. Now a regular pilot of the wider ARCo fleet, and having added twin ratings to his portfolio of flying skills, the time had come for this most prestigious flying opportunity, the chance to captain the flagship of the fleet. As well as proving himself a gifted warbird pilot over the years, Mo is first and foremost an esteemed engineer. It is this depth of engineering knowledge, mechanical sympathy and ‘machine to pilot dialogue’ which makes him the right stuff for the idiosyncrasies of an aircraft like the Blenheim.

After a few trips around the patch in the flight crew seat, Mo and JR switched positions, and it was time to put all those pilots notes and preparations into action. After a smooth takeoff, they headed North of Duxford to go through some general handling and manoeuvres, once these were complete it was back into the circuit for some graceful landings on the grass 24 runway. After touching down from the last circuit, the Blenheim came taxiing back up to the ARCo hangars ~ as the crew approached, it was already clear from the two grinning faces in the cockpit that the trip had been a success. Many handshakes and words of congratulations followed, and with these, Mo was officially enrolled into one of the smallest clubs of the flying world… He became a Blenheim Pilot.

From all of us in the ARCo team, we’d like to say well done Mo, we look forward to crewing the Blenheim and flying with you! It turns out that the wise worlds of the Blenheim Society stands true once again… ‘Happiness is Big Bristols’.

19/09/2026

The Battle of Britain Airshow ~ Part 2 of 2
We pick things up a short walk down the flight-line from the Blenheim, as the P-51 Mustangs taxi back in and ‘Tall in the Saddle’ piloted by Lars, is met by Woody and Chris.
Before we know where the day has gone, it’s time to head down to the Spitfires and Hurricanes, ready to launch the Big Wing Finale. Many of the pilots walk down from the ARCo hangars - to stretch their legs before climbing into the cockpit and to begin focussing their thoughts on the task ahead. They always give a thumbs up though, as the team of ground crew overtake them en route to the kites, packed into a convoy of Willy’s Jeeps and Tugs.
After Sunday’s weather had been challenging for most the afternoon, all eyes were on formation leader, Jon Gowdy - awaiting his decision. As the time of the final display slot neared, the clouds broke and a rainbow towered in a clearing above the airfield. JG nodded, the decision was made ~ It was a go!
Having done a last walkthrough of the plan, the first engines to start where those of the 3 Spitfires acting as the ‘joker’. ‘JR’ in our beloved Mk.XI Spitfire ‘L’ - recently painted as ‘My Darling Dorothy’ - leading Aerial Collective T9’s flown by the impeccable wingmen of Steve ‘Jonsie’ Jones in PV202, and Lee ‘P-Foot’ Proudfoot in PT462.
Once these had departed, the airfield fell silent for a moment before the full chorus of RR Merlin & Griffon engines burst into song. The Spitfire and Hurricane formation that follows has become a hallmark of the Battle of Britain show at Duxford, and a highlight of the flying season!
On the Sunday, Pilots flying aircraft stabled at ARCo were all briefed to taxi back up to the hangars. As they arrived and shut down one by one, each were offered a bottle of cold water, or a pint of equally cold b**r from our crew bar… You can guess which was more popular after a long weekend of flying!
Once the aeroplanes were put away, the engineers joined the pilots, friends and family, grabbing a drink and reminiscing over the weekend antics. There was even a tradition from the USAAF’s time at Duxford, as we held a game of baseball to accompany the sun setting on a splendid weekend.

18/09/2026

Try as we might, we just couldn’t whittle our photographs from the Battle of Britain show weekend down to just 20 moments… So, we have decided to double that to 40 and split them across two posts instead ~ Part 1 now, and Part 2 tomorrow. So, without any further ado…

Welcome to the Battle of Britain Airshow ~ Part 1 of 2

The first 20 photographs focus mainly on the ‘first light’ unpacking of the hangars, and pre-show preparations of the fleet. Each of the aircraft under our care for the weekend is given a morning pre-flight inspection by our engineering team. After this inspection the aircraft is given a general wipe down and the screens and canopy are thoroughly cleaned to ensure good visibility. Finally, before the aircraft is taken down to its flight-line slot, it is fuelled to the level the pilot has requested for their first display of the day. Aircraft flying multiple times each day will receive a ‘turnaround’ at their slot, which includes screens re-cleaned, fuel back to requested level and overall visual inspection, to ensure everything is in a state of readiness for the second trip.

After the morning shakedown, and famous ‘egg and bacon bap’ break ~ cooked by Anna and Kay of the ARCo team, we pick the crew back up at the Blenheim and Lysander. From here you’re riding along in the cockpit with the Blenheim flight crew for the Sunday rendition of the display, under a fantastically dramatic Duxford sky! Taxiing out in a Bristol Blenheim as the rain trickles down the cockpit glazing all around you, is incredibly humbling. For us, here and now, operating in these conditions is a rarity, but during the service life of these aircraft, this would have been a regular occurrence… The thought of setting out across a murky channel, leaving the safety of Blighty behind and pressing on ~ cold and damp ~ into the occupied skies of mainland Europe. It certainly serves as a reminder of the importance of airshows like this one, and keeping the memories and lessons from that bravest of generations alive.

Keep an eye open for Part 2 of this set ~ Landing tomorrow and featuring more behind the scenes moments from the weekend. 🛠️🕊️

16/09/2026

We have begun working through our photographs from the Duxford ~ Battle of Britain Airshow, which took place this past weekend… With so many wonderful moments to choose from, and only 20 spaces in a carousel, it’s taking a little longer than planned to dial in and decide on that final set!

Luckily, whilst we’ve been ‘umming and ahing’ over on the stills side of the studio, our video extraordinaire, and part of the ARCo in-house creative team has put together a short teaser! So hold fast and ride along with the team as we set about launching the fleet and opening the Hangar 3 Outpost over a Duxford show weekend 🛠️

~ Keep your eyes peeled for the stills post following later this week… we hope 😉📸

10/09/2026

We’re getting ready for this year's Battle of Britain Airshow here at our home of Duxford Airfield.

We will be operating 11 flying aircraft across the weekend and will also have our static display in Hangar 3. Where alongside this week’s project announcement we will have our latest Aerial Collective Duxford Spitfire restoration on show for you all to see up close – RK858 (representing MH763).

Our engineers have worked tirelessly over the past weeks to ensure every final detail was present before ‘RK’ went on show this weekend.

There was also one final paint detail, the Swift tail artwork – mascot of 72 squadron. For this we
reached out to our friend Ed Ed Anthony Stanford who naturally brought with him the enthusiasm,
passion and eye for meticulous detail that we, at ARCo pride ourselves on.

Come down to Hangar 3 'The ’s Outpost' to see this fresh restoration up close and pick up a new copy of our ‘Duxford Frontier’ newspaper where you can read more about this project.

09/09/2026

The Maude P-40 has arrived at ARCo, Duxford.

Oh where to start… The story of this flying machine thus far is already worthy of a book, so please forgive us for not trying to tell it all here. We are still learning more each day, as we read through all the documentation that arrived with the project, in awe of its extraordinary tale of survival.
There will be plenty of time for in-depth information as we make our way down the road that lays ahead - or perhaps ‘the river that lays ahead’ is more relevant in this case. For now though, we are just going to lay out the most principle facts, and thank some wonderfully deserving people, who have helped us arrive at this point.
The ‘Maude’ P-40 was built by Curtiss as part of an order placed by the RAF in May 1940. Contstr. No. 15184 - it was built to the factory spec of a P-40E Warhawk, but upon acceptance by the RAF in October 1941, became designated as a Kittyhawk Mk.1A - S/N: AK803. By the end of the aircrafts service life, it had been transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force, and had taken the RCAF serial: 1034.
Enter George Maude, an RCAF veteran, who in 1946 brought the P-40 for $50 and floated it on a makeshift log raft it to his family home. From here, its story becomes remarkable! There are some excellent articles written about it online which we highly recommend taking a look at if you’d like to learn more of the story now.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Sam Taber and his team at TAB-AIR, based in East Troy, Wisconsin. Not only for the beautiful work they have already done on the aircraft - so sympathetically preserving it’s original nature - but also for all their help and for making our team feel so welcome when we came to box the project up for crossing the pond. We know how it feels to see machines leave for new shores, and it is always sad to watch them go, but we promise to carry on the meticulous work you guys started!
Finally, to the late George Maude and his family. Your story entwined with this machine has become the stuff of legend, and we still can’t quite believe it is sat in our hangars. George’s passion kept alive a piece of history and beyond all else, we hope to do him proud!

05/06/2026

Welcome Home ‘L’ . . .

This week we saw the return of Spitfire PL983 from her adventure down under

Having chased Summer across the globe and now back home at Duxford she’s looking forward to the flying season ahead.

Address

Building 425 Duxford Airfield
Cambridge
CB224QR

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+44 (0)1223 835313

Website

https://www.aircraftrestorationcompany.com/

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