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Construction of the Terminal
Building was begun in 1927 and occupation completed in 1928.
Although used by the RAF and the RCAF between 1939 and 1946 (for
accommodation and recreation facilities as well as control),
the main booking hall and much of the control area remained very
similar after the wartime period to what it was in it's heyday
time of 1928 - 1939. |
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(above)
a plan of the internal layout of the ground floor of the 'Terminal
' building issued in 1930. A similar design was finally adapted
with modified frontal area. |
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(above) embarkation to an AW Argus in 1930 |
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(below) A night embarkation exit to an Imperial Airways
airliner. |
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(above
and below) pictures
of the the slightly improved layout of the main booking hall
from about 1932 viewed from each end, showing the 'departures
board' with it's clocks in the centre, and the airline counters
around the sides. The use of a 'departure board' at Croydon was
the first of it's kind in the world. |
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(above) Airport Customs search. 1930's. |
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(above) passengers checking their departure times for
the different airlines on the central 'departure board'. (below) later additions to the main departure hall of
newspaper, confectionary and souvenir shops. Note also the airline
route map on the far wall. |
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(below) the airport lounge bar also in the late 1930's. |
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(below) The Waiting Room in 1948 |
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(above) 'Olley Air Services' counter 1937. (below) 'Air France' counter 1935. |
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It's interesting
to note that at this period passengers as well as their luggage
was weighed |
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(above) 'Royal Dutch Airlines' (KLM) counter. (below) 'Air Union' counter and weighin. |
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(above) ' Imperial Airways' counter
and weighin 1934. |
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(below) Flight and weather chart in the
booking hall in the 30's. |
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(above) the first wireless direction finding receiver
room at the Terminal Building. |
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(above
and below) some of
the flight control rooms of the late 1930's. Croydon had the
first 'radio flight control' operations. |
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The 'MAYDAY'
callsign used worldwide for assistance on both land, sea and
air, was originated by Frederick Moockford in 1923. He was a
senior Radio Officer at Croydon Tower. |
(below) is F.S "Stanley" Mockford
probably one of the greatest pioneers of radio technology. Stanley
Mockford was Senior Radio Officer at Croydon Airport in the 1920's
and is pictured here in the first Control Tower. Stanley was
a pioneer of radio technology and did much ground breaking working
in developing ground-to- air radio communications. The International
Distress Call, "Mayday Mayday Mayday" was Stanley's
creation developed at Croydon Airport that is still saving life's
today. Stanley also worked on a new cutting edge procedure that
used radio transmissions to aid aircraft navigation that was
an essential steep in developing safe air routes. It used aircraft
radio signals received on two or more radio receivers to triangulate
a navigation position. The use of radio triangulation has now
developed onto GPS using satellites and is a standard feature
in mobile phones.
Stanley had an extraordinary career and in 1930 went on to Marconi
and continued working on developing radio technology. |
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(below) Flight control. 1938. Showing Control Officer
and Wireless Operator plotting the position of aeroplanes by
means of the triangulation of wireless bearings. |
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Since
it's closure the Airport main booking area is now used as a visitor
centre museum (above
and below). |
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(above) another view of the main booking hall after closure.
(below) the operations room now has some
items on display that were once used in various partsof the airport. |
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The Croydon Airport Visitor
Centre is a volunteer led community venture which opened its
doors in 2000. Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is located in Airport
House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ.
Opening Times
First Sunday of the month throughout the year 11.00- 16.00 with
last entry at 15.30 Free admission. Donations for running costs
are gratefully received
Guided tours are available on the day free of charge. Additional
special Open Days are held at various times throughout the year.
See website for details. Group visits can be arranged outside
these times at a small cost.
Information
The Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is a volunteer led community
venture. Designed by haleysharpe.com and opened in 2000, it was
the winner of a British Tourism Award. Exhibition space includes
displays located in the world’s oldest Air Traffic Control
Tower in Airport House. Features include interactive display,
exhibits and visual images charting the history of Croydon Airport
from World War I airfield, London’s international airport,
Battle of Britain airfield and closure in 1959.
Facilities
Refreshments are available at the restaurant. Accessible toilets
Wheelchair access is available to the lower floor of the Visitor
Centre. At present, wheelchair access is unavailable to the upper
floor.
How to find
us
Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is located in Airport House, Purley
Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ. Bus routes refer to Airport House under
its former name of Croydon Airport.
Waddon is the nearest rail station and a 10 minute walk. 289
bus routes from the station to Croydon Airport. Purley is 10
minutes by 289 bus. By train, East Croydon is 20 minutes from
central London and then 15mins by the 119 bus. Bus routes that
serve Croydon Airport are the 289 and 119. Buses stop outside
Airport House, Croydon Airport or across the road at The Colonnades.
By Car, parking is free during Open Days
Schools
A free downloadable Teachers' Pack is available as a teaching
and learning resource. The Teachers' Pack focuses on Key Stage
2 of the National Curriculum and is useful reference for other
Key Stage groups.
School
Visits
As resources allow, school visits can be accommodated for limited
numbers. It should be noted that the Croydon Airport Visitor
Centre is located in Airport House Business Centre. As a very
active business hub we do have to consider our neighbours and
monitor noise levels.
Outreach
As resources allow, we can visit your school to give talks on
the history of Croydon Airport. |
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Contact
Us |
Croydon Airport Society
Airport House
Purley Way
Croydon
CR0 0XZ
Call us:
0777 968 1035
Email us:
info@croydonairportsociety.org.uk |
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