The Vintage Aviator Ltd

The Vintage Aviator Ltd. is a New Zealand Civil Aviation approved aircraft restoration and manufacturing company.

"Our primary aim is to build WW1 aircraft, engines and propellers to the same exacting standards they were originally made over 90 years ago."

We endeavour to maintain absolute authenticity with the original design. We make both airworthy and static aircraft for museum display and private collections. Our engineers look after, and operate, the WW1 aircraft owned by the 1914 -18 Aviation Heritage Trust.

TVAL staff have a great deal to be proud of, a multitude of industry changing airworthy aircraft and a state of the art manufacturing facility, emphasising our commitment to engineering excellence and technical innovation. We are using the most modern technology to reproduce the most accurate aircraft reproductions from a bygone era.  

TVAL has an extensive engineering facility

Our facilities in Wellington and at the Hood Aerodrome, Masterton are capable of every aspect of aircraft and engine construction imaginable. Our most valuable resource is our skilled craftsmen - specialized woodworkers, welders and machinists, and people experienced in the complexities of fabric covered aircraft.  This is the first time since WW1 that these aircraft are being produced in a factory setting, although we utilise the most modern CNC and CAD technology to increase accuracy and reduce labour costs. Working relationships with other restoration facilities and museums in Europe, Australia, Canada and in the USA assists TVAL in sourcing information as well as technical data and original parts for duplication and reproduction.

Parts Tracking and handling of parts

Our certification basis requires us to maintain detailed records of all components. To do this we inventory every item that comes into our facility. We have company forms for cataloguing, identifying and measuring each component.  

Customers

Our customers are generally private collectors and museums. We are currently building aircraft and overhauling engines for customers in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the USA.