Hendon Air Show

Hendon Air Show
Name	Hendon Air Show
Caption	Aerial display at RAF Hendon
Status	Defunct
Genre	Air show
Frequency	Annual
Venue	Royal Air Force Museum London
Location	Colindale, London Borough of Barnet
Country	United Kingdom
First	1920s
Last	2015
Attendance	100,000+
Organized	Royal Air Force Museum

Hendon Air Show The Hendon Air Show was a major annual public air show held at the Royal Air Force Museum London in Colindale, within the London Borough of Barnet north of central London. It grew from early Royal Air Force open days and veterans’ commemorations into one of the United Kingdom’s largest aviation festivals, showcasing historic aircraft, aerobatic teams, and heritage displays linked to British aviation like RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Imperial War Museums, and Air Forces Memorial. The event attracted crowds from across the United Kingdom and international visitors from France, Germany, United States, Netherlands, and beyond.

History

The roots trace to interwar RAF recruitment and commemoration events at Hendon Aerodrome during the 1920s and 1930s, reflecting connections with early pioneers such as Sir Frank Whittle and organisations like the Royal Aero Club. Post‑World War II, the site’s role shifted toward heritage under custodianship of the Royal Air Force Museum, linking to national narratives including the Battle of Britain and the Dunkirk evacuation. The modern festival format emerged in the late 20th century as outdoor pageantry with participants from British Airways Heritage Collection, RAF Historic Flight, and international civil teams like the Patrouille de France and the United States Navy Blue Angels on occasional visits. Financial pressures and security considerations contributed to the final public show in 2015, after which the museum concentrated on curated exhibitions and smaller commemorative events associated with institutions such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the National Archives.

Venue and Layout

The venue at the Royal Air Force Museum London integrates historic hangars, display lawns, and runway space formerly part of Hendon Aerodrome. Spectator areas were organized around the museum’s Hangar 1, Hangar 2, and outdoor flightline with viewing banks facing the display axis used by visiting squadrons including No. 617 Squadron RAF and training units such as Central Flying School. Static parks featured marquees from organisations like the Civil Aviation Authority and remembrances by groups including Royal British Legion and Air League. Public transport links included Golders Green tube station, Mill Hill Broadway railway station, and proximity to the A41 road, facilitating coach access from regional RAF bases such as RAF Brize Norton and RAF Waddington.

Aircraft and Performers

Displays blended historic warplanes from collections like the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and privately owned types maintained by bodies such as the Historic Aircraft Association and Imperial War Museum Duxford exhibitors. Frequent performers included legacy types like the Supermarine Spitfire, Avro Lancaster, Hawker Hurricane, and jet types such as the English Electric Lightning and Panavia Tornado. Aerobatic teams appearing over the years ranged from the Red Arrows and Patrouille de France to visiting demonstration squadrons from the United States Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force. Civil display entries showcased classic airliners from collections like Concorde exhibits and historic general aviation provided by operators including the Tiger Club and the Classic Wings Museum.

Events and Attractions

The programme combined flying displays, static exhibitions, family activities, and educational talks. Highlights often included formation flypasts commemorating milestones such as anniversaries of the Battle of Britain and airmail ceremonies tied to the Royal Mail Circle. On‑ground attractions featured cockpit access hosted by airlines and museums including British Airways, veterans’ talks with groups like RAF Benevolent Fund, restoration workshops by organisations such as the Aircraft Restoration Company, and photo zones near exhibits from RAF Museum Collections. Sponsorship and partner exhibits frequently involved commercial aerospace companies like Rolls‑Royce Holdings, BAE Systems, and Airbus, alongside charitable displays from Help for Heroes and museum partners such as the Science Museum.

Safety and Incidents

Safety regimes followed civil aviation guidance coordinated with the Civil Aviation Authority, Metropolitan Police support from City of London Police and Metropolitan Police Service, and air traffic coordination with London Heathrow Airport and Heathrow Air Traffic Control. Contingency planning addressed weather diversions involving bases like RAF Lyneham and crowd management informed by prior incidents at major events including Glastonbury Festival and Notting Hill Carnival. Notable individual incidents over the broader history of airshows in the UK that informed Hendon policies included engine failures and forced landings experienced by historic types such as the Avro Vulcan and de Havilland Mosquito, prompting stricter maintenance regimes and display authorisations from organisations like the Civil Aviation Authority and Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

Attendance and Impact

Attendance routinely exceeded 100,000 spectators in peak years, drawing aviation enthusiasts, families, and international visitors from locations such as Heathrow Airport transfer hubs and regional rail networks including Thameslink. Economic impact studies parallel to those for events at Duxford Airshow and RIAT showed benefits to local hospitality sectors in the London Borough of Barnet and surrounding boroughs including Brent and Harrow, while also supporting heritage employment within the Royal Air Force Museum and associated restoration trades. The show’s legacy persists through museum programmes, archived collections accessible via partners like the National Heritage Memorial Fund and educational outreach to schools coordinated with Department for Culture, Media and Sport initiatives.

Category:Air shows in the United Kingdom Category:Royal Air Force Museum