British Aerospace

British Aerospace is the name now given to a merger of the aircraft, space and guided weapon
interests of the Hawker Siddeley Group with those of British Aircraft Corporation and Scottish
Aviation. This Brochure highlights the land sea and air products and background of the partner companyies.

British Aerospace (BAe) was formed as a statutory corporation on 29th April 1977 as a result of the Aircraft and Shipbuilders Industries Act of the same year. The company brought together the British Aircraft Corporation, Hawker Siddeley Aviation, Hawker Siddeley Dynamics and Scottish Aviation.

In February 1981, the Government sold 51.57% of the shares in British Aerospace in order to return the company to private ownership. The remaining shares were finally sold in April 1985 but the Government retained a single £1 'Golden share' that would allow it to veto any possibility of foreign ownership.