On Tuesday, September 17th, representatives from Hyde Group attended a prestigious event at the Avro Heritage Museum in Woodford, Greater Manchester. The event marked the centennial of the Woodford Aerodrome, home to A.V. Roe and Company (Avro), a cornerstone of British aviation. The museum, like the event, was a tribute to Avro’s pivotal role in the industry. Hyde Group was honoured with an invitation, reflecting its significant history of work at the Woodford site.
Hyde Group’s connection to Woodford dates back to the 1970s, when our tooling division manufactured assembly jigs for the Hawker Siddeley HS146 short-haul airliner. In the early 1990s, our Aero Products division began supporting Avrotec, a British Aerospace subsidiary that provided aftermarket services for the RJ146 regional jet. Hyde Group played a critical role in this program, supplying essential structural tooling and components, along with providing AOG (Aircraft on Ground) services.
This opened the door to securing long-term strategic contracts for the RJ146. Hyde Group was entrusted with key components, including the yaw damper, AC socket housing, canopy railing, and flap track fairings. We also provided ongoing support for the Hawk advanced trainer and the Tornado multirole combat aircraft.
Hyde Group was deeply involved in work on the Nimrod, a maritime reconnaissance aircraft designed around the de Havilland Comet 4 civil airliner. We were tasked with updating and manufacturing tooling and test equipment for the new airframe structure. Our involvement spanned rebuilding, machining, fabricating, and reverse-engineering projects, extending to the MRA4 variant, where we produced sub-assemblies and components such as auxiliary power units, flying controls, engine cover doors, droop nose ribs, wing tips, egress hatches, and radomes. Additionally, the Hyde Group contributed to the design and integration of AC/DC navigation crates and major harness systems across the airframe.
Our contributions also extended to the Avro Vulcan, where we provided extensive tooling and frequent airframe modifications for the former nuclear deterrent.
During the centennial event, the Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Suzanne Wyatt, unveiled a plaque honouring the men and women who worked at Woodford aerodrome from 1925 to 2011. Attendees were treated to a series of flypasts, including a Tiger Moth, an Anson, a BAE 146, and a Bristol Blenheim – the last of its kind still capable of flight.
Former Avro employee Roy Clarke officially opened the museum’s newest addition, the Greater Manchester Aviation Legacy Exhibition. This exhibit highlights the region’s rich aviation history, focusing on the contributions of companies and individuals that helped establish Greater Manchester as a global leader in aeronautics. Hyde Group was especially proud to be recognised, given our long-standing connection to Woodford aerodrome.
David Cooper, Hyde Group CEO
Hyde Group CEO David Cooper explored the museum, where he rediscovered the Freddie Bassett Trophy, which he had won during his apprenticeship in 1971.
We extend our gratitude to the Avro Heritage Museum staff for hosting such a remarkable event and encourage everyone to visit and support the museum, which continues to preserve the legacy of A.V. Roe and his company.