Formed in 1910 as the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, this early British aircraft manufacturer was founded when that business was liquidated and the assets transferred to The Bristol Aeroplane Company Limited. The company designed and manufactured aircraft frames as well as engines. The company is perhaps best known for its 'Blenheim' aircraft, but was also involved in the early work that led to the supersonic Concorde airliner. In 1956 the company was split into Bristol Aircraft and Bristol Aero Engines. In 1959 the businesses merged along with a number of aviation companies to form the British Aircraft Corporation. In 1977 BAC was nationalised and became part of British Aerospace (BAe). This successor company was ultimately privatised and became BAE Systems.

British aviation enthusiast, active c1950.

Construction of the airport at Ringway began on 28 November 1935, and it opened on 25 June 1938. During the Second World War it was an important site in the production of military aircraft and in training parachutists. After the war, it reverted to a civilian airport and gradually expanded, with the second runway being added between 1997 and 2001. The airport is now owned by Manchester Airport Group plc.