Hendon Aerodrome

Hendon Aerodrome
Name	Hendon Aerodrome
Caption	Aerial view of Hendon Aerodrome, c. 1918.
Type	Military / Civil
Owner	War Office / Air Ministry
Operator	Royal Air Force
Location	Hendon, London Borough of Barnet
Built	1908
Closed	1968
Coordinates	51, 35, 31, N...
Elevation-m	62
Elevation-f	203

Hendon Aerodrome was a pioneering aviation site located in the London suburb of Hendon. It operated from the early 20th century until the late 1960s, serving as a crucial hub for both military aviation and early civil flight. The airfield was famed for its public air displays and was a central establishment for the Royal Air Force. Its legacy endures in the urban development of the area and its significant place in British aviation history.

History

The origins of the site trace back to 1908 when aviation pioneer Claude Grahame-White began using the fields for flying experiments. The location was formally established as an aerodrome in 1910, quickly becoming a center for the burgeoning British aviation industry. During the First World War, it was requisitioned by the War Office and developed into a major training and manufacturing base. The interwar period saw it become the headquarters for the Royal Air Force's No. 1 Group and a key site for the Air Ministry.

Military use

From 1914, the aerodrome was a vital military airfield, initially for the Royal Flying Corps and later the Royal Air Force after its formation in 1918. It housed major aircraft manufacturing units for companies like Handley Page and Airco, producing bombers such as the Handley Page Type O. Key training schools were based there, including the RAF School of Photography and elements of the RAF Technical Training Command. During the Second World War, it served as a base for RAF Fighter Command and was involved in the Battle of Britain, also hosting the Metropolitan Communications Squadron.

Civil aviation

Alongside its military role, it was a cornerstone of early British civil aviation. Claude Grahame-White founded the London Aerodrome here, establishing one of the world's first flying schools and a major aircraft factory. It was a terminal for early scheduled passenger services, with companies like Aircraft Transport and Travel operating flights to cities such as Paris. The aerodrome was also the original home of the Air Registration Board, the precursor to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Facilities and infrastructure

The aerodrome featured extensive infrastructure, including several large aircraft hangars, workshops, and barracks. Its most famous structure was the Grahame-White factory and hangar complex, a landmark of early aviation architecture. The site contained technical buildings for the RAF Technical Training Command and the RAF School of Photography. A notable feature was its grass runway system, laid out on the relatively flat land of the Brent Reservoir area.

Notable events

It was renowned for hosting spectacular public air shows, most famously the RAF Pageant and later the RAF Display, which evolved into the RAF Air Tattoo. These events attracted huge crowds, including members of the British Royal Family and political figures like Winston Churchill. It was also a venue for important aviation competitions and record attempts in the pre-war era, solidifying its place in the public imagination.

Closure and legacy

With the expansion of London and the advent of larger, jet-powered aircraft requiring longer runways, the aerodrome became obsolete. Military flying ceased in 1957, and the final Royal Air Force units departed by 1968. The site was subsequently redeveloped, with much of the land now occupied by the Metropolitan Police training college, the Hendon Police College, and residential housing in the London Borough of Barnet. The RAF Museum London was established on part of the former airfield in 1972, preserving its history, while the historic Grahame-White hangar remains a listed building.

Category:Airports in London Category:Royal Air Force stations in London Category:History of the London Borough of Barnet Category:Defunct airports in England