LHR Old Runways
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The north side apron was the original for Heathrow when it first opened. It remained in use as London Airport ( North) until the prefab buildings, which consituted the long haul terminal were replaced by Terminal 3 in 1961/2. It covered roughly the site from just east of the tunnel , through the current Visitors Centre and on into the taxi park.
The original plan for LHR circa 1948 shows no less than 9 runways, of which 8 would probably have been eventually operational, with 3 in a triangle between the A4 and where the M4 now is. The villages of Sipson and Harmondsworth were both marked for demolition until released from this threat circa 1953 when the government reckoned that the airlines would never need such a large facility. That was the last of the vision and we have been living with the results,- and accountants,- ever since.
The original plan for LHR circa 1948 shows no less than 9 runways, of which 8 would probably have been eventually operational, with 3 in a triangle between the A4 and where the M4 now is. The villages of Sipson and Harmondsworth were both marked for demolition until released from this threat circa 1953 when the government reckoned that the airlines would never need such a large facility. That was the last of the vision and we have been living with the results,- and accountants,- ever since.
As Skylion says, the northern area was the original terminal area. As work in the central area progressed, short-haul flights were gradually transferred there during the fifties, but the long-haul Stratocruisers and Super Constellations remained on the north side for several more years.
In those days the London Transport bus service did not venture through the tunnel into the central area, so spectators had a choice of walking through the pedestrian tunnel (now used as an additional lane for cars) to use the viewing gallery atop the Queen's Building, or using the more primitive ground-level area just north of 28R. The latter involved walking across the active runway when directed by the duty policeman. There was always plenty so see and do, although the pace of life was a lot slower then. There were even a couple of Dragon Rapide biplanes available for fifteen-minute joy-rides around the local area - imagine that in today's environment!!!
Even after all long-haul flights transferred to what became Terminal 3, there were occasional visiting aircraft parked on the north apron (now under the public perimeter road).
In those days the London Transport bus service did not venture through the tunnel into the central area, so spectators had a choice of walking through the pedestrian tunnel (now used as an additional lane for cars) to use the viewing gallery atop the Queen's Building, or using the more primitive ground-level area just north of 28R. The latter involved walking across the active runway when directed by the duty policeman. There was always plenty so see and do, although the pace of life was a lot slower then. There were even a couple of Dragon Rapide biplanes available for fifteen-minute joy-rides around the local area - imagine that in today's environment!!!
Even after all long-haul flights transferred to what became Terminal 3, there were occasional visiting aircraft parked on the north apron (now under the public perimeter road).
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The perceived '15C/33C' runway was the 1945 'RAF Heathrow' NW/SE runway, very possibly then aligned 16/34 magnetic. It had to be built to keep up the pretence that the airfield was 'needed' by the RAF. Construction of this runway was abandoned in 1946 and was subsequently all but obliterated by the Central Area development, control tower included. I believe that it was the northern part of this runway known as 'Waites Alley' where the Viscount attempted takeoff in low vis, the crew believing it to be 15R, and collided with construction equipment. It was subsequently marked 'TAXIWAY'.
And Numpo, I suppose you can remember the little oval 'train set' with the coloured locos with chromium plated bells, next to the north-side control tower? And Monique Agazarian's five bob joyrides.......and the green and cream tubular steel deck-chairs? And the -4's and -6's and CV440's and Connies and Strats........
Aah, nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
('IMC', where are you when we need you??) ( Hey, HD, is 'IMC' on this forum?)
TDM
And Numpo, I suppose you can remember the little oval 'train set' with the coloured locos with chromium plated bells, next to the north-side control tower? And Monique Agazarian's five bob joyrides.......and the green and cream tubular steel deck-chairs? And the -4's and -6's and CV440's and Connies and Strats........
Aah, nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
('IMC', where are you when we need you??) ( Hey, HD, is 'IMC' on this forum?)
TDM
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I don't know the IMC you refer to because I don't think Gonzo would know the the one I'm thinking of!
I'll write some more on this thread soon - busy wrapping up this month's Finchampstead Magazine, which bears no resemblance to Air Pic!
I'll write some more on this thread soon - busy wrapping up this month's Finchampstead Magazine, which bears no resemblance to Air Pic!
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There's a sign in the middle of RWY 23 at the moment, and they would have to clear the Whiskeys and those two new stands they've built before the runway could ever be used again.
I don't think they ever intend to re-open it.
I don't think they'll ever fix the HRW ndb either. Shame because it's always a good check of the localiser.
I can't wait to see the new tower move over. What if it falls over in the middle of 27L
I don't think they ever intend to re-open it.
I don't think they'll ever fix the HRW ndb either. Shame because it's always a good check of the localiser.
I can't wait to see the new tower move over. What if it falls over in the middle of 27L
'nough said
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What if it falls over in the middle of 27L
And that would upset Gonzo
Very interesting thread by the way. Has anyone found some old aerial photos of what LHR used to look like - there must be something on-line somewhere?
amofw
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Capt. H Peacock,
If you want the HRW NDB to come back, get your company to make some noises to Heathrow ATC Ops. I believe that it's currently off the air to see if anyone complains. If nobody complains, then it will go. 2nd December is the deadline I think.
HD, if we mean the IMC who might be referred to as 'Legend' and associated with Tiger Moths, then I did know him. He even trained me once.
(See, I'm not as young as I look!)
I still remember the first few words he said to me on my first day! Same as all other trainees I gather!
If you want the HRW NDB to come back, get your company to make some noises to Heathrow ATC Ops. I believe that it's currently off the air to see if anyone complains. If nobody complains, then it will go. 2nd December is the deadline I think.
HD, if we mean the IMC who might be referred to as 'Legend' and associated with Tiger Moths, then I did know him. He even trained me once.
(See, I'm not as young as I look!)I still remember the first few words he said to me on my first day! Same as all other trainees I gather!
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<<HD, if we mean the IMC who might be referred to as 'Legend' and associated with Tiger Moths, then I did know him. He even trained me once. (See, I'm not as young as I look!)
>>
Oh that IMC - He was on my ATC Primary Course in 1967. I'd forgotten him but I think he was nicknamed Rottweiler?? The one I meant
was a Scottish guy who resigned and went broadcasting.
<<I don\'t think they\'ll ever fix the HRW ndb either. Shame because it\'s always a good check of the localiser.>>
Nope.. don\'t understand your banter Captain P! How can a crummy old MF beacon provide a check of a localiser?
The HRW never had a procedure associated with it and I often wondered what on earth it was there for!
>>
Oh that IMC - He was on my ATC Primary Course in 1967. I'd forgotten him but I think he was nicknamed Rottweiler?? The one I meant
was a Scottish guy who resigned and went broadcasting.
<<I don\'t think they\'ll ever fix the HRW ndb either. Shame because it\'s always a good check of the localiser.>>
Nope.. don\'t understand your banter Captain P! How can a crummy old MF beacon provide a check of a localiser?
The HRW never had a procedure associated with it and I often wondered what on earth it was there for!
Last edited by HEATHROW DIRECTOR; 23rd Sep 2004 at 06:55.
The Rural Life Centre, Tilford, Surrey holds records of an agricultural machinery supplier (J.Gibbs, of Bedfont, Middx) whose firm was situated just outside the airfield perimeter.
Included in the collection is a high definition aerial photo of Heathrow taken, in my estimation, in the late '50s/early '60s.
The photo was on public view until about a year ago, when the display was re-organised.
I'm sure that the photo is still available for viewing...phone Mr. Chris Shepheard, (Curator) on 01252-795571 if you are keen to see it.
Chris is an aviation buff, and will probably remember when we organised a school trip to Heathrow in a Bedford SB, with a guided tour "airside" as part of the package!
Included in the collection is a high definition aerial photo of Heathrow taken, in my estimation, in the late '50s/early '60s.
The photo was on public view until about a year ago, when the display was re-organised.
I'm sure that the photo is still available for viewing...phone Mr. Chris Shepheard, (Curator) on 01252-795571 if you are keen to see it.
Chris is an aviation buff, and will probably remember when we organised a school trip to Heathrow in a Bedford SB, with a guided tour "airside" as part of the package!
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I have a couple of ariel photographs of Heathrow. 1946 and 1950. Shows all the runways and you can see the order they were constructed.
All I need is for somebody to tell me how to attach them to this forum. Its got to be easy.
All I need is for somebody to tell me how to attach them to this forum. Its got to be easy.
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There's a whole mass of stuff, including old pics and charts, waiting to be published in a book covering 50 years of Heathrow ATC. Unfortunately it's already several years late so I can't give any estimates of when it might appear. This is from the late 50s I think..
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S.A.T.C.C. ! That brings back lots of memories!
I can recommend the following book:
HEATHROW - 2000 Years of History
Author: Philip Sherwood
ISBN-0-7509-2132-3
Sutton Publishing Ltd
Phoenix Mill
Stroud
Gloucestershire
£ 9.99
I'm not in it. But maybe with HD in the one I think he's talking about.
I can recommend the following book:
HEATHROW - 2000 Years of History
Author: Philip Sherwood
ISBN-0-7509-2132-3
Sutton Publishing Ltd
Phoenix Mill
Stroud
Gloucestershire
£ 9.99
I'm not in it. But maybe with HD in the one I think he's talking about.
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Excellent map HEATHROW DIRECTOR. All we need now is to arrange a group of us to visit LHR to undertake a tour of remaining relics of the past on the airfield.
I would willingly volunteer to approach BAA and organise this if there was sufficient interest. Does anyone have any useful contacts ?
airsmiles
I would willingly volunteer to approach BAA and organise this if there was sufficient interest. Does anyone have any useful contacts ?
airsmiles
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A vivid memory of mine is in the mid/late 1950's taking public coach tours from outside Queen's Building around the airport. On one occasion the coach turned the corner around a blast fence in the BOAC maintainence area and came face to face with a taxiing Brittania. He promptly applied reverse pitch and backed up to give way to the coach. Very impressive to a ten year old!!