Over 30 years at the heart of aviation.
Aviation Retail Direct is Heathrow Airport's specialist aviation retailer, dedicated to serving aircraft enthusiasts and collectors. Aviation has been at the centre of our business since we first opened at Heathrow in 1994.
From a Heathrow rooftop to collectors around the world.
It all started in spring 1994. More than three decades later, our passion for aircraft and the aviation community remains as strong as it was on the day we opened.
It all started on the rooftop of Heathrow Terminal 2.
Back then, the Terminal 2 roof connected to the roof gardens of the old Queens Building, one of the best spots in the country to watch aircraft arrive and depart up close.
That's where we opened the Mach3+ Gift Shop, right in the heart of the action at London's Heathrow Airport.
The shop was a hit with spotters and aviation enthusiasts and marked the beginning of the business we know today.
Heathrow Visitor Centre.
Our close relationship with Heathrow Airport Limited led to an invitation to open a second shop inside the Heathrow Visitor Centre, overlooking runway 27R/09L.
We opened there in 2001, and within a year we were also running the centre's coffee shop and hosting specialist aviation events.
A new name. A new home.
In 2002, Mach3+ became our publishing name, producing titles that became essential reading for spotters, including World Airline Registrations, European Airline Registrations, and the European, US and World Air Forces Directories.
The retail side became Aviation Retail Direct — ARD.
That same year, we opened our shop in Hillingdon, around five miles north of Heathrow and close to the end of runway 07 at RAF Northolt.
When the Terminal 2 rooftop closed to make way for the new terminal, Hillingdon became our home.
Growing ever since.
In 2020, we doubled the size of the Hillingdon shop, expanding to 10–12 Sutton Court Road.
Today, visitors travel from all over the world to browse our models, books, souvenirs and much more, while our mail-order service ships orders out daily.
More than 30 years later.
ARD continues to serve aviation enthusiasts through our stores, worldwide mail-order operation, exclusive model releases, specialist publishing and appearances at major aviation events across the UK.
The location has changed. The passion hasn't.
More than 30 years on, our passion for aviation is as strong as the day we opened on that rooftop. From Heathrow to collectors around the world, aviation remains at the heart of everything we do.
ARD Models
We're proud to produce our own exclusive ARD Models releases in both 1:200 and 1:400 scale. Our ranges allow us to bring carefully selected aircraft, liveries and subjects to aviation enthusiasts and collectors.
Our ARD200 releases use established Inflight200 tooling, combining proven moulds with aircraft and liveries selected for the ARD range. The range includes officially licensed British Airways releases covering the current fleet alongside classic and retro aircraft, including the legendary Concorde.
Our 1:400 releases are produced using tooling from leading model manufacturers, giving ARD the opportunity to offer distinctive aircraft, liveries and sought-after subjects selected with collectors in mind.
Built around aviation since 1994.
ARD has grown considerably since the days of the Mach3+ Gift Shop, but our focus has never changed. Specialist publishing, bespoke models and worldwide mail order all form part of a business built entirely around aviation.
Mach3+ Publishing
Our publishing history includes World Airline Registrations, European Airline Registrations and the European, US and World Air Forces Directories — specialist aviation reference titles created for enthusiasts and spotters.
Bespoke Aircraft Models
Looking for something specific? We can arrange bespoke model commissions for single or multiple model orders, produced by specialist model makers to suit individual requirements.
ENQUIRE ABOUT BESPOKE MODELS →Worldwide Mail Order
From our base near Heathrow, orders leave ARD every day for aviation enthusiasts and collectors across the UK and around the world.
Part of the aviation community.
Every year you'll find ARD at some of the UK's biggest airshows and specialist aviation events, meeting enthusiasts and collectors beyond our stores.
Experience meets a new generation of aviation enthusiasts.
Our team brings together experienced enthusiasts and a new generation of aviation fans, so whether your interest lies in today's airliners or aircraft from decades past, there's always someone on hand who knows their stuff.
Join the ARD Membership Club.
Membership costs £10 per year and includes a 10% member discount, regular newsletters, special offers and information on new and forthcoming releases.
Our Stores
We'd love to see you in person. Visit us in Hillingdon or at Heathrow. Our live opening status is shown below.
Hillingdon Store CHECKING...
10–12 Sutton Court Road
Hillingdon
UB10 9HP
Monday – Saturday
9:00am – 6:00pm
Heathrow Store CHECKING...
Heathrow Academy
Newall Road
TW6 2AP
Monday – Sunday
10:00am – 5:00pm
We'd love to hear from you.
Questions about an order, a model or something you're looking for? Get in touch with the ARD team.
