George Holt Thomas established the Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco) at The Hyde in Hendon, north London, England during 1912. Geoffrey de Havilland joined two years later as the chief designer. More than 2280 examples of the DH6 trainer were built and the DH9A became one of the outstanding strategic bombers of World War I. The company's DH16 and DH18 types were operated by Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited, the first airline established in the United Kingdom, that was also owned by George Holt Thomas. Following the cessation of hostilities the company's undue reliance on military orders became a handicap however and the company became bankrupt in 1920. Its assets were bought by the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) which did not pursue aviation-related business. The remains of the company were bought by de Havilland, and he renamed the company after himself.
Hendon is a place in the London Borough of Barnet. ... London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831 377/km² Religion... 1912 is a leap year starting on Monday. ... Sir Geoffrey de Havilland (July 27, 1882 - May 21, 1965) was one of Englands aviation pioneers. ... A strategic bomber is a large bomber designed to drop massive amounts of ordinance on a single target, generally in carpet bombing style. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... A Boeing 747-400 of Virgin Atlantic Airways, one of the UKs largest airlines. ... The Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) was a British manufacturer of military equipment and vehicles. ... de Havilland UK In 1920 Geoffrey de Havilland changed the name of his company Airco, where he had previously been chief designer, to the De Havilland Aircraft Company. ...