NC - regret cannot help with on-the-spot experience of what Croydon Airport was actually like (even I am too young). Suggest you: a) get yourself down there and view excellent display in foyer (inc silver Tiger Moth hanging from roof) or b) go there on first Sunday in any month between 10am and 4pm when the Croydon Airport Society open the old control tower and, if you are lucky, assign you a personal guide (who likely CAN give you personal memories of the field). You'll be asked to bung a few shillings in the Society's collection box but, hey, worthy cause or wot? And, while I am on the subject, since Croydon was the world's first civil airport, ever - why didn't we get one of the Concorde airframes to pose outside? Two British firsts and all that? Is there still time..?