Croydon Airport history

London Aerodrome. Hendon

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1910. This year saw the opening of two famous English Aerodromes, Brooklands and Hendon. It was a happy thought which converted the space enclosed by the famous motor track into a flying ground which has been the scene of so many great aviation events. It was used by aviation pioneers such as Louis Bleriot and Claude Grahame-White, the latter bought the land and promoted it as London's Aerodrome, establishing a Bristol Aeroplane Company Flying School. It was then the base for the Grahame-White Aviation Company aircraft factory, and while proving a highly successful commercial venture, it undoubtedly conduced more than any other undertaking to popularize aviation in this country. It was reckoned a poor gate at Hendon before the War if less than 10,000 people were present on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and on Aerial Derby Days and such like the numbers rose to 60,000 ; so that a year's attendance had actually to be written in seven figures. Undoubtedly the 'Hendon habit' had grown upon the people of London, and with the exception of the great German flying ground of Johannisthal near Berlin, the scene of the utmost activity and preparation before the outbreak of hostilities, our London Aerodrome became at once the most popular in the world. The buildings shown are the remains of the Grahame-White's World War One aircraft factory. They are dated 1915. After World War One ownership was eventually passed to the Royal Air Force in 1925. In 1919 Claude Grahame-White and Francis Lewis Wills created Aerofilms Ltd a pioneering aerial survey company. During World War Two the airfield was mainly used for transport purposes because of its good road and rail links. During the war the airfield was repeatedly attacked, including hits by V1 "flying bombs". After the war use declined. Part of the site was sold for housing in 1968. The RAF station closed between 1987-1988, but a Royal Air Force Museum was opened here in 1972.

Some London Aerodrome First's

First International flights

First official airmail

First Air Races

First Civil Air Traffic Control Tower

First Flying Schools