The control tower of Croydon Airport in 1939, with the BOAC de Havilland DH 91 Albatross Fortuna alongside

Croydon Airport was an airport in South London which straddled the boundary of what are now the London Borough of Croydon and the London Borough of Sutton. It was the main airport for London before it was replaced by Northolt Aerodrome, London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport. ImageMetadata File history File links DH_91_Albatross_-_Fortuna_-_Croydon_Airport_1939. ... ImageMetadata File history File links DH_91_Albatross_-_Fortuna_-_Croydon_Airport_1939. ... After technical problems with the Comet, BOAC resumed jet service with imported Boeing 707s. ... The BOAC DH.91 Albatross Fortuna alongside the Control Tower at Croydon Airport in 1939 The de Havilland DH.91 Albatross was a four-engine British transport aircraft in the 1930s. ... South London is the area of Greater London south of the River Thames. ... The London Borough of Croydon is a London borough in South London and part of Outer London. ... The London Borough of Sutton is a London borough in outer southwest London. ... The Houses of Parliament and the clock tower containing Big Ben Part of the London skyline viewed from the South Bank London (see Wiktionary:London for the name in other languages) is the capital of the United Kingdom and England. ... RAF Northolt (IATA: NHT, ICAO: EGWU) is a Royal Air Force station in west London in the London Borough of Hillingdon which also handles a large number of civilian flights. ... London Heathrow Airport (IATA: LHR, ICAO: EGLL), often referred to as Heathrow, is the United Kingdoms busiest and best-connected airport. ... Gatwick Airport (IATA: LGW, ICAO: EGKK) is Londons second airport and the second busiest airport in the UK after Heathrow in terms of passengers per year. ...

It originated as two adjacent World War I airfields - Beddington Aerodrome, one of a number of small airfields around London, which had been created for protection against the Zeppelin raids in about May 1915, and Waddon Aerodrome of 1918, a test-flight aerodrome adjoining National Aircraft Factory No 1. Combatants Allies: • Serbia, • Russia, • France, • Romania, • Belgium, • British Empire and Dominions, • United States, • Italy, • ...and others Central Powers: • Germany, • Austria-Hungary, • Ottoman Empire, • Bulgaria Casualties 5 million military, 3 million civilian (full list) 3 million military, 3 million civilian (full list) World War I, also known as the First World... Beddington is a place in the London Borough of Sutton. ... LZ127 Graf Zeppelin, the most travelled airship in history A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship (or dirigible) pioneered by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 20th century based on an earlier design by David Schwarz. ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Waddon is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, to the south west of central Croydon on the borders of the London Borough of Sutton. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

At the end of that war, the two airfields were combined into London's official airport as the gateway for all international flights to and from the capital. Croydon Aerodrome opened on 29 March 1920. March 29 is the 88th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (89th in Leap years). ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ...

It stimulated a growth in regular scheduled flights carrying passengers, mail and freight, the first destinations being Paris, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. In 1923 Berlin flights were added. It was the operating base for Imperial Airways - remembered in the road name Imperial Way on the site today. The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... Amsterdam Location Flag Country Netherlands Province North Holland Population 742,951(1 January 2005) Coordinates 52°22′N 4°54′E Website www. ... For other places named Rotterdam, see Rotterdam (disambiguation) Rotterdam ( (help· info)), located in the province of South Holland, is the second largest municipality in the Netherlands (after Amsterdam). ... (help· info), IPA: , is the capital city as well as a state of Germany, and also the countrys largest city. ... The Imperial Airways Empire Terminal, Victoria, London. ...

In the mid 1920s the airfield was extended, some adjacent roads being permanently closed to allow heavier airliners to land and depart safely. A new complex of buildings was constructed adjoining Purley Way, including the first purpose-designed air terminal in the world, the Aerodrome Hotel and extensive hangars, all opening on 2 May 1928. It has been suggested that Roaring Twenties be merged into this article or section. ... Purley Way is a section of the A23 trunk road in Croydon, London and has given its name to the out-of-town shopping area alongside it with a catchment area covering most of South London. ... May 2 is the 122nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (123rd in leap years). ... 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The terminal building, the booking hall within it with its gallery balustraded in the geometrical design typical of the period, and the Aerodrome Hotel were built in the Art Deco style of the 1920s and 1930s. A further item that caught the eye of visitor and traveller alike was the time zone tower in the booking hall with its dials depicting the times in different parts of the world. Asheville City Hall. ... It has been suggested that Roaring Twenties be merged into this article or section. ... // Events and trends A public speech by Benito Mussolini, founder of the Fascist movement The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the global depression. ... See also List of time zones Time zones are areas of the Earth that have adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ...

The aerodrome was known the world over, its fame being spread by the many aviators and pioneers who touched down at Croydon, such as

• Alan Cobham, who flew from Croydon to Cape Town and back in 1925-6;
• Charles Lindbergh, who flew into Croydon in 1927 shortly after completing the first solo trans-Atlantic flight;
• Bert Hinkler, who made the first flight from Croydon to Darwin, Australia in 1928;
• Charles Kingsford Smith, who beat Hinkler's record;
• Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly from Croydon to Australia, later to return to Croydon to a jubilant welcome.

The major aircraft used by Imperial Airways were the Handley Page HP42 and HP45 four engined bi-planes Hannibal G-AAGX series and the Heracles G-AAXC series. In 1938 the first four engined monoplanes, Armstrong Whitworth Ensign series (G-ADSR) came into service. Sir Alan Cobham (May 6, 1894- October 21, 1973) - British Aviation Pioneer. ... City motto: Spes Bona (Latin: Good Hope) Province Western Cape Mayor Nomaindia Mfeketo Area  - % water 1,644 km² 0. ... Charles Lindbergh Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Jr. ... Herbert John Louis Hinkler (December 8, 1892 - January 7, 1933) - better known as Bert Hinkler, was a pioneer Australian aviator. ... Darwin is the territorial capital and most populous city of the Northern Territory. ... Smith in his flying gear Air Commodore ey thats a carSir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith MC, (February 9, 1897 - November, 1935), often called Charles Kingsford-Smith, or by his nickname Smithy, was the best-known early Australian pioneer aviator. ... Amy Johnson Amy Johnson (July 1, 1903 – January 5, 1941) was a notable English aviatrix who was born in Kingston upon Hull. ... The Imperial Airways Empire Terminal, Victoria, London. ... Handley Page H.P.42 G-AAUD Hanno. ... For other uses, see Hannibal (disambiguation). ... Hercules, a Roman bronze (Louvre Museum In Greek mythology, Heracles, or Heraklês (glory of Hera, Ἡρακλης) was a divine hero, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, stepson of Amphitryon and great-grandson of Perseus. ... Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth & Co Ltd was a major British manufacturing company of the early years of the 20th century. ... Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ...

In November 1938 the Chamberlain government decided that Imperial Airways, which served Empire routes should be merged with British Airways, which served European routes. The new company was known as British Overseas Airways Corporation, BOAC. British Airways only operated from Croydon from March 1937 to May 1938 when it moved to Heston Airport A Chamberlain is an officer in charge of managing the household of a sovereign. ... The Imperial Airways Empire Terminal, Victoria, London. ... For the 1930s airline of similar name see British Airways Ltd British Airways (LSE: BAY, NYSE: BAB) is the largest airline of the United Kingdom. ... The British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) was the exclusive British state airline from 1939 until 1946 and the long-haul British state airline from 1946. ... After technical problems with the Comet, BOAC resumed jet service with imported Boeing 707s. ... For the 1930s airline of similar name see British Airways Ltd British Airways (LSE: BAY, NYSE: BAB) is the largest airline of the United Kingdom. ...

When war was declared in September 1939, Croydon Airport was closed to civil aviation. It played a vital role as a fighter station during the Battle of Britain and was attacked in the first major raid over the London area. Factories in its immediate vicinity were almost destroyed with the loss of six airmen and over 60 civilians. In 1944, Croydon became the base of RAF Transport Command, and in due course civil aircraft operations began again. In February 1946, the airport returned to civilian control. Combatants United Kingdom Germany Commanders Hugh Dowding Hermann Göring Strength approx 700 fighters (at the beginning) 1,260 bombers; 320 dive-bombers; 1,090 fighters (at the beginning) Casualties 1,550 aircraft; Civilian: 27,450 dead, 32,140 wounded 1,890 aircraft A major campaign of the early part... The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ...

Gradually it became clear that with technical advances, post-war airliners were going to be larger and the use of airports serving capital cities would intensify. Croydon, however, had no room for further expansion and would shortly be too small to meet evident travel demands. Heathrow was therefore designated as London's airport and a decision to close Croydon's airport was made in 1952. Blackbushe in Hampshire and Northolt Aerodrome in Middlesex also served airlines operating European scheduled flights during the 1950s. Croydon's last scheduled flight departed on 30 September 1959. Hampshire (abbr. ... RAF Northolt (IATA: NHT, ICAO: EGWU) is a Royal Air Force station in west London in the London Borough of Hillingdon which also handles a large number of civilian flights. ... Middlesex is one of the 39 historic counties of England. ... September 30 is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 92 days remaining. ... 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The De Havilland Heron outside Airport House

The site may still be seen. Much of it has been built over, but some of the terminal buildings near the main road are still visible, clearly identifiable as to their former purpose, and a De Havilland Heron, a small (fewer than 20 seats) airliner of the 1950s, is currently (2002) displayed outside on struts flanking the entry path. A Tiger Moth in RAF training scheme livery is suspended within the preserved booking hall, which functions as a dining room when required. A memorial to the Battle of Britain stands slightly to the south. Download high resolution version (998x562, 86 KB) The description page on the Commons has less than here - no point in clicking. ... Download high resolution version (998x562, 86 KB) The description page on the Commons has less than here - no point in clicking. ... Until 1920, Geoffrey de Havillands de Havilland Aircraft Company had been known as Airco, where he was owner and chief designer. ... // Events and No. ... Combatants United Kingdom Germany Commanders Hugh Dowding Hermann Göring Strength approx 700 fighters (at the beginning) 1,260 bombers; 320 dive-bombers; 1,090 fighters (at the beginning) Casualties 1,550 aircraft; Civilian: 27,450 dead, 32,140 wounded 1,890 aircraft A major campaign of the early part...

Although Croydon Airport has long ceased operation, the two ends of Plough Lane have never been reunited, the area having been developed instead into parkland, playing fields and the Roundshaw residential estate with its roads aptly named after aviators and aircraft. An aviator is a person who flies aircraft for pleasure or as a profession. ... A Japan Airlines Boeing 747-400. ...

External links

• Imperial Airways home page
• Imperial Airways Croydon Airport page
• Croydon Airport Society
• Croydon council local history page about the airport
• Handley Page HP42
• Armstrong Whitworth AW27 Ensign

Reference

• Bob Learmouth, Joanna Nash,Douglas Cluett (ed)(1977). "The First Croydon Airport 1915-1928)", London Borough of Sutton Libraries and Arts Services. ISBN 0950322431

• Douglas Cluett, Joanna Nash, Bob Learmouth (1980). Croydon Airport 1928 - 1939, London Borough of Sutton Libraries and Arts Services, first published 1980. ISBN 0950322482

• Charles C. Dickson.(1983) "Croydon Airport Remembered", London Borough of Sutton Libraries and Arts Services.ISBN 09073351282

• Douglas Cluett, Joanna Bogle (Nash), Bob Learmouth (1984). Croydon Airport and The Battle of Britain", London Borough of Sutton Libraries and Arts Services.ISBN Battle of Britain