Heston Aircraft Company

Starting in 1934 the company produced a number of aircraft designs beginning with the Heston Phoenix and the Hordern-Richmond Autoplane.

[2] In 1936 the company built the Hordern-Richmond Autoplane, a twin-engined two-seat low-wing monoplane that had been designed by the firm's test pilot E.G. Hordern in collaboration with the Duke of Richmond and Gordon.

[4] In 1938 the company started work on the Heston Type 5 Racer which was to be used in an attempt on the world's air speed record.

[7] In 1948 the company built the Youngman-Baynes High Lift, and the sole aircraft first flew at Heston on 5 February 1948 with military serial VT789, later registered G-AMBL.

From late 1940, Heston Aircraft played a major role in modifying Supermarine Spitfires for the photographic reconnaissance task.

[9] The company equipped the Spitfires with vertical and oblique cameras, additional fuel tanks, and modified cockpit canopies.

radar scanner in its lengthened nose, but the folding wings and long dorsal fin fillet did not appear until the second aircraft, serial PX239, was converted.

[12] In late 1953, the company was building passenger steps for BOAC de Havilland Comets and Bristol Britannias, and mobile servicing docks for BEA's Heathrow engineering base.