Croydon Aircraft Company

11/03/2026

We would like to thank locals & visitors to the area who came & supported the 2026 annual Mandeville Fly-In and Steam Festival. 🛩

Our thanks to the local businesses & groups who supported us in hosting another successful event🎉
Gore TV & Radio
Ewan Allan Honda Gore
Southland Steam Engine Club
Great South
Knapdale School
Stuart Ewing FMX
Gore Model Aircraft Club INC
Patrina Coster

Lastly our staff, previous staff, pilots & volunteers, without whom the weekend couldn't happen.
On behalf of the Smith Family, Croydon Aircraft Company, Waimea Plains Railway, Mandeville and Rogers K92 Locomotive & Croydon Aviation Heritage Trust.

17/02/2026

This weekend 21st-22nd Feb, head to Southland's iconic Fly In & Steam Festival held at Mandeville Airfield.🚂

A weekend of family entertainment in the heart of Mandeville's heritage precinct, celebrates the anniversary of the first cross country flight in NZ, between Invercargill & Gore on 20th Feb, 1914.✈️

☑️Complimentary entry through Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre.
☑️Fly in a vintage bi-plane (weather permitting!)
☑️Mingle with visiting aircraft.
☑️Ride in the restored Rogers K92 locomotive.
☑️Shop market stalls & Collaborate fashion NZ.
☑️Eat at Miss Cocoa Coffee
☑️Tour the grounds on a traction engine🚜

Special guest Stuart Ewing FMX freestyle bike stunts will keep you on the edge of your seats🏍

Saturday & Sunday, 10am-4pm
$5 per person, per day ***cash entry***
See you at Mandeville😎

15/01/2026

Register now to have your stall at the iconic Mandeville Fly In & Steam Festival🛩 🚂

Email [email protected] to book your space, $10 per stall, per day

23/12/2025

Seasons Greetings from the Croydon Crew
We will be back to work on 6th January 2026

12/08/2025

12th August marks the 90th anniversary of the de Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly’s first flight in 1935. Sleek, elegant, and ahead of its time, the Dragonfly became the gentleman’s air cruiser of the 1930s, combining luxury with classic de Havilland craftsmanship. Nine decades on, it remains a timeless icon of golden-age aviation.

Currently only 2 remain in flying condition and we're fortunate to have one here on display at Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre.

26/07/2025

Following on from yesterdays post, we are thrilled that the Red Rockette has been recognised as 'Award Winning Vintage Airplane' at Oshkosh 2025.

25/07/2025

08/07/2025

No words needed really, 2 special de Havillands pictured recently in the UK.

03/06/2025

Great photo of a special de Havilland.

DH Mosquito NZ2308 up for its first photo flight following restoration at Ardmore in New Zealand back in March 2024, an amazing machine looking fantastic in its silver colour scheme.
Steve Hinton is in the left seat, in the right Warren Denholm and well done to Avspecs, Mosquito Restorations, and to all of those who worked on this timeless machine, Glyn would be so proud!

21/05/2025

Remembering Sir Geoffrey de Havilland OM CBE AFC RDI FRAeS, who died 21st May 1965. Engineer, aviation pioneer, innovator, naturalist, Hertfordshire’s largest employer in his day, and the father of today's aerospace industry. A true great in the worlds of science, technology & engineering.

21/04/2025

Our workshop is closed tomorrow 22nd April for Southland Aniversary Day.