RNAS_Hendon

RNAS_Hendon RNAS_Hendon was a British naval air station at Hendon in Middlesex, notable for its roles in World War I, interwar aviation developments, and post‑World War II training. Established amid the expansion of the Royal Naval Air Service, the site later figured in Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm histories and contributed to civil aviation and aviation heritage in North London. The station intersected with figures and institutions such as Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Trenchard, Air Marshal Hugh Trenchard, Sir Samuel Hoare and organizations including the Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm, Air Ministry, Metropolitan Police, London County Council, and Municipal Borough of Hendon.

History

The airfield opened during World War I as part of the Royal Naval Air Service expansion alongside facilities like RAF East Fortune, RAF Fowlmere, RAF Biggin Hill and Felixstowe Seaplane Base. Post‑1918 reorganization transferred control to the Royal Air Force alongside other transfers such as the creation of RAF Northolt, RAF Kenley, and RAF Uxbridge. During the interwar period Hendon hosted events connected to aviators including Captain Alan Cobham, Amy Johnson, Sir Sefton Brancker and exhibitions run by entities like the Royal Aero Club, Royal Aircraft Establishment, and Imperial Airways. The 1930s saw interactions with figures such as Sir Kingsley Wood and visits from dignitaries like King George V and Queen Mary. With the establishment of the Fleet Air Arm and changing defense priorities in the 1930s and 1940s, the site alternated between naval and air force functions alongside stations such as HMS Daedalus, HMS Sparrowhawk, HMS Ariel and HMS President. Post‑World War II reconstruction and aviation policy by the Air Ministry and Ministry of Defence affected its role until closure in the late 1960s during municipal redevelopment programs by Brent Council and Hendon Borough Council.

Facilities and Layout

The layout reflected typical early 20th‑century aerodrome features seen at RAF Hendon analogues like Croydon Airport, Heston Aerodrome, Stag Lane Aerodrome, and Cardington Airship Works. Hangars accommodated types comparable to Sopwith Camel, Handley Page O/400, Avro 504, De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth and later Supermarine Seafire and Fairey Barracuda maintenance. On‑site workshops linked to contractors such as Vickers, Hawker Aircraft, de Havilland, Gloster Aircraft Company and Supermarine Aviation Works. Administrative buildings conformed to standards set by the Air Ministry and featured control facilities akin to those at RAF Hendon Museum neighbours. Firefighting and medical facilities mirrored those at RAF Cosford and RAF Cranwell, while communications used networks connected with Met Office meteorological stations and General Post Office telegraph systems. Surrounding transport links included proximity to Edgware Road (A5), North Circular Road, and rail services from Hendon Central and Hendon Station, integrated with municipal services of London Transport and London Underground development plans.

Aircraft and Units Based

Units stationed at the site paralleled those at HMS Raven and other naval air stations, hosting squadrons equipped with types tied to manufacturers such as Fairey Aviation Company, Short Brothers, Bristol Aeroplane Company, Handley Page, Gloster and Armstrong Whitworth. Famous squadrons and training units associated in records include counterparts to No. 601 Squadron RAF, No. 607 Squadron RAF, Fleet Requirements Unit and No. 48 Squadron RAF in terms of role and composition. Aircraft that operated from the field ranged from World War I types like the Sopwith Pup and Airco DH.4 to interwar and World War II types such as the Gloster Gladiator, Hawker Hurricane, Westland Lysander, Fairey Swordfish, Fairey Fulmar, and postwar types like the Supermarine Seafire and Hawker Sea Fury. Training aircraft included the Avro Anson, Miles Magister, de Havilland Tiger Moth and North American Harvard used by units analogous to Central Flying School and Fleet Air Arm Training School formations. Maintenance detachments included workshops similar to No. 1 Aircraft Depot and reserve units comparable to RAF Volunteer Reserve squadrons.

Operations and Training

Operational roles mirrored contemporaneous activity at RAF Fighter Command and Fleet Air Arm stations, combining coastal patrols, night flying, air gunnery and deck‑landing practice similar to exercises at HMS Ark Royal and RAF Coastal Command bases like RAF Pembroke Dock. Training programs paralleled curricula of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, Empire Test Pilots' School, Central Flying School, and Armament Practice Camp while collaborating with schools such as No. 1 Flying Training School and No. 3 Service Flying Training School. The air station hosted air shows and demonstrations akin to those at the RAF Display, featuring participants like Frank Whittle and exhibitions by companies like British Aircraft Corporation and Rolls‑Royce Limited. Emergency and civil support operations linked to entities such as the London Fire Brigade, St John Ambulance and Civil Defence Corps during wartime.

Closure and Later Use

Closure reflected mid‑20th century defence consolidation policies influenced by the 1966 Defence White Paper and urban planning by Greater London Council and Hendon Borough Council. After decommissioning, land redevelopment followed patterns seen at former aerodromes including conversion to housing similar to Stockley Park developments, municipal facilities such as Hendon Library, and the establishment of public spaces analogous to those at Park Royal and Alexandra Palace environs. Aviation heritage persisted through contributions to institutions like the RAF Museum London and local heritage groups akin to the Hendon Aviation Society and partnerships with universities including University of London archival projects. Surviving structures and commemorations connected to figures like Sir Barnes Wallis and events such as the Air Pageant informed memorialization efforts and local history displays.

Category:Royal Naval Air Stations in England Category:Airports in London