The Database
For some years now I’ve been cataloguing historic British aviation industry advertisements (1909-1980) with the aim of providing what I hope is a unique and comprehensive listing of British Aviation Industry Advertisements. With the best will in the world digital media and websites tend to disappear over time so I’m also publishing a series of printed books (compilations) featuring as complete a record of press adverts as possible for a particular company or product line. (These also present a more convenient and enjoyable way to view the advertising timeline)
The database contains over 92,000 images and features over 2400 companies.
The Directory
The database is searchable, but the search function is quite picky about keywords which can lead to some frustration when looking for a particular example. The Classified Directory is designed to point the user in the right direction through a series of themed lists.
The Compilations
British Aircraft Industry Adverts 1909-1980 Series Of Publications
Adverts are reproduced without narrative in chronological order at one per page and include source, date of original publication and its unique database reference number. (aviationancestry.co.uk)
I’m confident these compilations will provide you with an interesting new way of exploring the history of your chosen company, aircraft type or product line.
- With progress, mergers and acquisitions etc company names changed over time and the following list is abbreviated for convenience.
Airspeed Ltd
Airspeed Aircraft Advertisements 1932 – 1951
Armstrong Siddeley Motors Ltd
Armstrong Siddeley Aero Engine Advertisements 1918 – 1958
Auster Aircraft Ltd (Taylorcraft)
From Taylorcraft To Bulldog: Auster Aircraft Advertisements 1936 -1978
A.V.Roe & Co Ltd
Avro Aircraft Advertisements Volume 1 1910 – 1930
Avro Aircraft Advertisements Volume 2 1931–1963
Blackburn Aircraft Ltd / General Aircraft Ltd / Cirrus Aero Engines
Blackburn, Cirrus & General Aircraft Aviation Adverts Volume One 1910-1940
Blackburn Aircraft & Aero Engine Advertisements Volume Two 1941–1970
Boulton Paul Aircraft
Boulton Paul Aircraft & Component Advertisements 1917-1961
The Bristol Aeroplane Company
Bristol Aircraft & Engine Advertisements Volume 1 1910-1930
Bristol Aircraft & Engine Advertisements Volume 2 1931-1939
Bristol Aircraft & Engine Advertisements Volume 3 1940 – 1949
Bristol Aircraft & Engine Advertisements Volume 4 1950 – 1959
British Aircraft Corporation
British Aircraft Corporation Advertisements 1960 – 1977
The de Havilland Aircraft Company
de Havilland Aircraft And Engine Advertisements Volume 1 – 1913 – 1930
de Havilland Aircraft, Engine & Propeller Advertisements Volume 2 – 1931-1940
de Havilland Aircraft, Engine & Propeller Advertisements Volume 3 1941–1950
de Havilland Aerospace Advertisements Volume 4 1951–1960
English Electric Aviation
English Electric Aviation Advertisements 1918 – 1960
The Fairey Aviation Company
Fairey Aviation Aircraft Advertisements 1915 – 1960
Gloster Aircraft Company
Gloster Aircraft Advertisements 1921 – 1963
Handley Page
Handley Page Aircraft Advertisements 1909 – 1969
Hawker Siddeley Aviation
Hawker Siddeley Aviation aircraft advertisements 1963–1977
Miles Aircraft
Miles Aircraft Advertisements 1936 – 1978
D.Napier & Son
Napier Aero Engine Advertisements 1916 – 1962
Percival Aircraft / Hunting Aircraft
Percival & Hunting Group Aviation Advertisements 1932-1960
Rolls-Royce Ltd
Rolls-Royce Aero Engine Advertisements Volume 1 1917 – 1949
Rolls-Royce Aero Engine Advertisements Volume 2. 1950 – 1979
Royal Air Force – RAF Recruitment Adverts
Royal Air Force Recruitment Advertisements 1933 – 1983
Saunders-Roe Ltd
S.E.Saunders & Saunders-Roe Aircraft Advertisements 1916-1960
Short Brothers / Shorts
Short Aircraft Advertisements 1909 – 1989
Sopwith & Hawker Aircraft Advertisements 1912 – 1963
Sopwith Aviation / Hawker Aircraft
Sopwith & Hawker Aircraft Advertisements 1912 – 1963
Supermarine Aviation Works / Vickers-Armstrongs
Vickers & Supermarine Aircraft Advertisements Volume 1 1911-1940
Vickers & Supermarine Aircraft Advertisements Volume 2 1941-1960
Westland Aircraft Ltd
50 Years Of Westland Aircraft Advertisements 1915 – 1965