West London Airfields (Heston, Hanworth, and Hounslow)

[DOC.400]

After lending Saab Dastard a book on the above (published by Hounslow library), on his suggestion we plan to tour the defunct airfields of Hounslow, Hanworth and Heston next Tuesday 9th November, starting at 1100 local.

Meet at the car park to Hounslow Heath on the A315, Staines Road. The car park is off the adjacent Frampton Road, OS Landranger 176, map ref 122749.

No doubt we will retire to a caff or hostelry for luncheon!!

I'll also have DOG.400 with me.

Rgds
DOC

[Saab Dastard]

Wot, no replies?

Well I'm still up for it!

That guarantees it will rain

[DOC.400]

Twill be a grand day of aviation history and nostalgia.....

P'raps DOG.400 is putting them off?

DOC

[Boss Raptor]

Is there really anything left to see? Coming from that area all I can remember seeing is the old Fairey hangers at Heston which were finally demolished some 10-12 years ago, nothing I can recall at the other 2 sites

[DOC.400]

That's what we're going to find out!!

DOC

[BEagle]

Heston (TQ118781) appears to be largely Airlinks Golf Course.

Hounslow (TQ120745) is now Hounslow Heath.

Hanworth Park (also known as Feltham) (TQ105716) seesm to be an open space.

Lots of places for DOG.400 to run though - have fun!

PS - thanks for the map! It arrived today.

[DOC.400]

There are some bits left, the pub on the main drag opposite what would have been the entrance to Hounslow aerodrome -the entrance concrete road is still there and can be seen in aerial photos of the time.

The tree lined approach to Heston is still there, as is, last time I looked, one of the old hangers. The whole area has been designated Aerodrome Area, with some 2d outlines at the approaches of a racing plane from the past -somebody else probably knows what it is!!

And the house at Hanworth Park is still in the middle of the airfield, as it was in the '30's, but surrounded by more trees!

Rgds
Mel

[WHBM]

While we are in the area, can one of the experts tell me where the Hawker factory and airfield at Langley were please ?

[BEagle]

Try entering TQ025795 into the excellent www.streetmap.co.uk and it'll show you:

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.sr...rch.srf&dn=553

[Gareth Blackstock]

Where is the airfield TQ025795 ?

DOC.400 - Hope you have a good time on tuesday along with anyone else that joins you.

Gaz

[Boss Raptor]

The Hawker factory at Langley was handed over after the war to Ford and was/is now the Ford Iveco plant by the M4 (if it's still there)

[BEagle]

TQ025795 is the Ordnance Survey National Grid Reference for the location of the old aerodrome at Langley.

[DOC.400]

I too have also assumed it was where the Ford Iveco plant was, (long gone now!!) at the west side of Sutton Lane north of the M4.

However, frm tjhe link it looks more like north side of North Park/Parluant Road -I'll have a look next time I'm passing!

Rgds
DOC

[Boss Raptor]

All sources I've Googled indicate Sutton Lane, Ford Iveco plant was the factory - the airfield might have been adjacent so those co-ordinates probably arent far off

http://www.merebrook.co.uk/projects/...es/langley.htm

this is a map of the old ford-iveco site - match it up to those co-ords and aerodrome looks right next door

http://www.intergeo-consulting.com/r...c01langley.png

[IB4138]

The Ford plant at Langley is no more. Demolished and crushed.

It is now a trading estate housing amongst others, Bridgestone Tyres racing division and a massive Royal Mail sorting facility.

[DOC.400]

"north side of North Park/Parluant Road"

Above OS ref confirms this, although it's about half to 3/4 mile from the old Iveco works.

Mel

[Nopax,thanx]

Once knew a guy who lived in Heston.......








Wait for it............






He had Fairey's at the bottom of his garden!!!!!

[TD&H]

How has your visit gone?

I picked up a lovely little booklet giving details of 'The Hanworth Club', London Air Park, as part of the NFS, with membership details (five guineas entrance fee and another five guineas subscription), flying rates (£3 dual, £2 10s solo), and a couple of nice photos, one showing the house surrounded by trees and the landing circle. Telephone 'Feltham 236' or telegrams to 'Hanairpark, Feltham'.

"Members pay no landing fees at NFS air parks (Blackpool, Leeds, Hull, Stoke, Nottingham, Reading and Hanworth), and are only charged for accommodation".

Quite a charming booklet to read.

H

[Saab Dastard]

Arriving at the car park at Hounslow Heath we unloaded DOG.400 and the Autogyro, wheeled it into the heath, assembled it and took off - fortunately Heathrow was on Easterlies and we were able to get a SVFR from 119.9 to route Hounslow - Hanworth - Heston, not above 600 feet. First flight out of Hounslow Aerodrome for 84 years.

Then the alarm went off and I woke up.

Great day out, lots of exercise, worked up an appetite well sated by the "Rumbling Tum" in Feltham.

Fascinating to walk around the still-extant Hanworth Park House which was an "Island" in the middle of Hanworth aerodrome - you can easily imagine the Biplanes chugging around it, as Hanworth park is still very flat and grassy (Houslow Heath has become much more overgrown, but then it's had an extra 40 years to go to seed, so to speak!

We even identified the old Aston-Martin factory before heading off for lunch, followed by a quick dash into Heston. The original apprach drive is still there, as is the original "Aircraft" plan-form of the buildings radiating off that, two of which are still there, altered over time, but still very recognisable.

Then it started raining so we b*****ed off home for tea and biccies.

DOC.400 has the essential reading material for these 3 old aerodromes - wot's it called again?

Cheers all, you missed a jolly good show

SD

[DOC.400]

Which is:

'Coming in to Land' by Tim Sherwood.
A Short History of Hounslow, Hanworth and Heston Aeroromes 1911-1946.
Heritage Publications.
ISBN 1899144307. £11.99.
Avlble from Hounslow Library.

DOC