Historic Aircraft Collection Ltd. HAC was formed by Guy Black and Angus Spencer-Nairn to operate a collection of piston engined military aircraft. These are not necessarily from WWII either, as they also own and operate a genuine First World War Bristol F2B. 

HAC is growing to be a major part of the Warbird scene in the UK. The more familiar aircraft currently operated by HAC are Spitfire Vb BM597, and the ex TFC Hurricane XIIa Z7381, which was swapped for the collections rare Hawker Nimrod in 2002.

Spitfire Mk.Vb BM597 is a genuine WWII combat veteran. Like many Spitfires, BM597 was built at Castle Bromwich and was delivered to the RAF on 26th April 1942. It served with 315 and 317 (Polish) Squadrons at RAF Woodvale. After sustaining damage in a landing incident on 13th  February 1943, it was repaired, there are no records of the aircraft seeing further action. Post war, BM597 survived the scrap yard to be assigned to several 'gate guardian' postings, finishing these duties at RAF Church Fenton. BM597 was acquired by the Historic Aircraft Collection in 1993, and restored to its original specification.

The collection's wonderful Morane Saulnier MS505 Criquet returned to the airshow circuit in 2003. Many would identify this machine as a German Fiesler Storch light observation aircraft, however the MS505 Criquet is a French built version of the Fieseler Storch. The Storch is famous for it's short take off and landing capabilities, demonstrated by the daring and highly successful operation to spring Mussolini from prison. 

This particular machine was formerly owned by the Aerial Museum, however after a change of ownership, the aircraft once again moved to Duxford under the ownership of the Historic Aircraft Collection.

Originally bought into the UK by Graham Warner in 1988, this MS505 was built in France in 1942, and currently wears the Luftwaffe markings of I/JG54. It's no stranger to the airshow circuit, however the aircraft was under restoration for the two years with work being carried out on the wings and the engine. 

Although operating warbird class aircraft, restoration work is also undertaken by The Historic Aircraft Collection. A series of rare 'interwar years' Hawker aircraft are in the pipeline to be restored to flying condition. These are a Hawker Hind, Hawker Fury, Hawker Nimrod II and Hawker Audax. 

Another exciting project is a former Soviet Air Force Yak 1. Built in 1941 as serial No 8188,  the aircraft was recovered in 1991 from a lake in Russia. The aircraft was shot down in 1942, but survived the forced landing on the frozen lake only to sink to the bottom when the lake thawed out. This is very likely to be the only surviving Yak 1 in the world, and is being restored to flying condition using an original Klimov V-12 engine. 

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