Classic Aero Machining Service

Classic Aero Machining Service This page features the manufacture of Gnome 100hp Rotary Engines and P40 parts here at Classic Aero M

Here’s something we haven’t had an update on in a while. A few years ago, our number 1 engine came back the the airfield...
28/08/2026

Here’s something we haven’t had an update on in a while. A few years ago, our number 1 engine came back the the airfield on the front of an Eindecker E.111 along with a Fokker D.VIII and a project D.VIII.
After having not flown for a year or 2 we stripped the engines down to give them a once over but deemed the 160hp engine that came in the D.VIII to be in need of a bit more work.
Ultimately the decision was made to put the CAMS engine from the Eindecker into the D.VIII.
Well long story short, but good things take time, we had the CAA visit this week to see how we operate and how things work and short of a few minor paperwork details, we will be flying very shortly!
Thanks to everyone involved, Wayne, Jay and the guys at JEM Aviation Ltd, Dan and especially Achim for trusting us with his machines.

Also congratulations to Graham Orphan for his Dh2 passing the same milestone, are those targets painted on the side? 😉

Here is another special project we have been working on lately. A batch of new cylinders for an Avro Alpha, 5 cylinder r...
29/07/2026

Here is another special project we have been working on lately. A batch of new cylinders for an Avro Alpha, 5 cylinder radial engine. Only 5 were ever produced before Avro were bought out by Armstrong Siddeley and they powered an Avro Avian, Avro Gosport and a couple of Cierva Autogiro's.

Machined from a solid piece of steel, Neil has been working through the steps over the last couple of weeks, and has just gotten to the point of machining in the fins.

We think they look pretty cool, what do you all think?

23/07/2026

P-40 brake cylinders in the mill today.

22/07/2026

Skim cutting some undercarriage link end slots to final size.
Despite buying the wire cutter sight unseen and none of us having used one before, it’s proving to be extremely useful.

Our new P-40 brake cylinder straight off the mill this morning. There is still a fair bit of work to go on these includi...
22/07/2026

Our new P-40 brake cylinder straight off the mill this morning. There is still a fair bit of work to go on these including a final finish bore to suit a steel sleeve that needs to be pressed in.
We would normally clean these up a little bit more on the machine but we have such a queue of work waiting for the machine I decided to clean the last few bits up by hand and save a little bit of spindle time.

A while back, we posted some big 4340 bars that needed a hole drilled all the way through them. We've drilled them, had ...
17/07/2026

A while back, we posted some big 4340 bars that needed a hole drilled all the way through them.
We've drilled them, had them heat treated, straightened and they have been back working their way through the shop getting turned down to size, threaded on one end and getting some mill work done on the other end.
These will now be sent out for Chrome plating before coming back to us to be ground to final size.

There were heaps of guesses as to what we were making last week and anyone who said brake components was correct. They a...
15/07/2026

There were heaps of guesses as to what we were making last week and anyone who said brake components was correct.

They are the pistons out of a P-40 brake cylinder. These are mounted inside the brake drum and are essentially what actuate the brake shoes.
We will be manufacturing these as complete units with Pioneer Aero Ltd supplying us with the seals and boots.

Get in touch if you need a pair and we will let you know when they are ready.

09/07/2026

Some nice easy bits before a long weekend!

Address

95 Aerodrome Road, Omaka
Blenheim
7272

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm

Telephone

+6435792033

Website

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