I visited Croydon airport museum yesterday. Lovely place. trying to understand more so watching these videos. These are so educational. Great job, i have to say. One quick question though. Looking at google maps, Plough Lane is to the west of Purley way, where the 1928 terminal building is. In other words, other side of current green area which was airside after 1928. Does that mean original airport building were far to the west of post 1928 terminal building. Second question. I was told that there were 2 aerodromes (Beddington and Waddon) before 1928. Were these to the east and west of plough lane. If that's the case, when was the old barn farm incorporated to the aerodrome. By the way, when flying moved to east of Plough Lane in 1920, was it still Beddington airport. Last one, where was National Aircraft Factory No. 1 located? Was it close to current post 1928 terminal building. Sorry, too many questions, but I suppose that's how we learn.
Hello - sorry about the delay in answering. A quick history: 1. Manor Farm was to the West of Plough Lane, New Barn Farm to the East 2. Manor Farm land to the West of Plough Lane was used for an RFC anti zeppelin unit (2 BE2c's) in 1916. This became known as Beddington aerodrome and gradually expanded as a training unit. 3. With the creation of the RAF in 1918 a much larger aerodrome was developed, but flying was still to the West of Plough Lane. The barracks were built on New Barn Farm land to the East of Plough Lane. 4. The National Aircraft Factory was built in 1918 north of the current Airport House (between the Purley Way and Stafford Road - Waddon). This has been an industrial site ever since. In 1919 this became the Aircraft Disposal Company and huge numbers of WW1 aircraft were scrapped/reconditioned here. Its large hanger was used by the second Croydon Airport. There was a flying area in front of the NAF known as Waddon aerodrome next to the Purley Way (then called Coldharbour Lane). 5. In 1920 RAF Beddington was converted to the civil London Terminal Airport (or Aerodrome). This was sometimes also referred to as Waddon, or Plough Lane. 6. The Flying area at the first Croydon Airport was changed to the East of Plough Lane - requiring a level crossing over Plough Lane to access the Hangars. 7. In 1928 the second airport was opened. The first airport was demolished as well as the centre section of Plough Lane to give a larger flying area. Both the farms were by this time absorbed into the airport Have a look at the videos 'Origins of Croydon Airport' for more detail.
I’m associated with the Historic Croydon Airport Trust and their archive and have been studying the history of the Airport and gradually building up the models. G-EAJC was a DH4A and is famous for the first commercial London to Paris flight (Hounslow Heath to Le Bourget. Pilot was Bill Lawford flying for AT&T
Excellent work - thanks.
I visited Croydon airport museum yesterday. Lovely place. trying to understand more so watching these videos. These are so educational. Great job, i have to say.
One quick question though. Looking at google maps, Plough Lane is to the west of Purley way, where the 1928 terminal building is. In other words, other side of current green area which was airside after 1928. Does that mean original airport building were far to the west of post 1928 terminal building.
Second question. I was told that there were 2 aerodromes (Beddington and Waddon) before 1928. Were these to the east and west of plough lane. If that's the case, when was the old barn farm incorporated to the aerodrome. By the way, when flying moved to east of Plough Lane in 1920, was it still Beddington airport.
Last one, where was National Aircraft Factory No. 1 located? Was it close to current post 1928 terminal building.
Sorry, too many questions, but I suppose that's how we learn.
Hello - sorry about the delay in answering.
A quick history:
1. Manor Farm was to the West of Plough Lane, New Barn Farm to the East
2. Manor Farm land to the West of Plough Lane was used for an RFC anti zeppelin unit (2 BE2c's) in 1916. This became known as Beddington aerodrome and gradually expanded as a training unit.
3. With the creation of the RAF in 1918 a much larger aerodrome was developed, but flying was still to the West of Plough Lane. The barracks were built on New Barn Farm land to the East of Plough Lane.
4. The National Aircraft Factory was built in 1918 north of the current Airport House (between the Purley Way and Stafford Road - Waddon). This has been an industrial site ever since. In 1919 this became the Aircraft Disposal Company and huge numbers of WW1 aircraft were scrapped/reconditioned here. Its large hanger was used by the second Croydon Airport. There was a flying area in front of the NAF known as Waddon aerodrome next to the Purley Way (then called Coldharbour Lane).
5. In 1920 RAF Beddington was converted to the civil London Terminal Airport (or Aerodrome). This was sometimes also referred to as Waddon, or Plough Lane.
6. The Flying area at the first Croydon Airport was changed to the East of Plough Lane - requiring a level crossing over Plough Lane to access the Hangars.
7. In 1928 the second airport was opened. The first airport was demolished as well as the centre section of Plough Lane to give a larger flying area. Both the farms were by this time absorbed into the airport
Have a look at the videos 'Origins of Croydon Airport' for more detail.
how did you get all the info in such a detail. and are aircraft registration accurate.
Also, do you know the aircraft type G-EAJC at 5:26
I’m associated with the Historic Croydon Airport Trust and their archive and have been studying the history of the Airport and gradually building up the models. G-EAJC was a DH4A and is famous for the first commercial London to Paris flight (Hounslow Heath to Le Bourget. Pilot was Bill Lawford flying for AT&T
@@archivesketcher2365 that's impressive. You earned a subscriber.