Aircraft Manufacturing Co. was established at The Hyde, Hendon, early 1912 by George Holt Thomas. In June 1914 Capt. Geoffrey de Havilland joined as chief designer, subsequently producing D.H.1-D.H.18. Holt Thomas sold Airco to BSA, which (there being little prospect of business) closed it in 1920. De Havilland formed his own company September 1920.