Is this a Fairey story?
Heston was where Chamberlain returned to in 1938 (in Lockheed 14 G-AFGN), it was then the base for the then British Airways, which at that time was a privately-owned independent based there, operating US-built Lockheed 10As and 14s across northern Europe (Imperial Airways ran a very diverse British fleet from Croydon to southern Europe). The two airlines were merged at the end of 1939 into BOAC. Berlin was in the British AW sphere of influence which doubtless influenced the choice of carrier.
http://www.bamuseum.com/images/large/30-40/30-40_16.jpg
http://www.bamuseum.com/images/large/30-40/30-40_16.jpg
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LHR
I seem to recall it was Fairey's airfield before the MoA took it over for development in 1948 (?)
It was originally expanded to take long range bombers near the end of the war but that finished before it became operational. It was then ear-marked to become London Airport and the rest as they say is history...
I remember the Hunting-Clan black hangar...
It was originally expanded to take long range bombers near the end of the war but that finished before it became operational. It was then ear-marked to become London Airport and the rest as they say is history...
I remember the Hunting-Clan black hangar...
I believe the old Fairey airfield was on what is now the southeast corner of Heathrow. To put it another way, southeast of Heathrow village which was where the central area now stands.
The old Fairey hangar was supposed to have been used as a fire station for Heathrow for a time.
The old Fairey hangar was supposed to have been used as a fire station for Heathrow for a time.
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Bof. Off thread I know, but the Heston AOP - what an interesting looking aircraft!!!
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Yes, there definitely were large sheds in the NE LHR area with Fairey on them. They were next to the Speedbird Club in Heston. I well remember them from visits to the club in the 1970s with my parents. They were also clearly visible from Cranford Parkway (the A312). Demolished around the late 1970s/early 1980s as far as I can recall.
Mark.
Mark.
Tiger_Mate,
The black hangar marked Fairey at Ringway was used by the Fairey company for a long long time after the war, the latest that I am aware of was around 1975 or 6 when it was associated with some Trislander activity.
Woomera,
What an odd layout for an AOP type, I can never work out why anyone would give an AOP type anything other than a high wing, rather like the Miles Messenger?
The black hangar marked Fairey at Ringway was used by the Fairey company for a long long time after the war, the latest that I am aware of was around 1975 or 6 when it was associated with some Trislander activity.
Woomera,
What an odd layout for an AOP type, I can never work out why anyone would give an AOP type anything other than a high wing, rather like the Miles Messenger?
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Errr ....... What's an "AOP" type?
One gets the feeling the Heston AOP may have messed with the genes of the Vampire jet, although I realise the parentage is different!
The Heston AOP looks neat - but I suspect with only a De Havilland Gipsy Queen engine (around 250 HP???) it's more show than go!
One gets the feeling the Heston AOP may have messed with the genes of the Vampire jet, although I realise the parentage is different!
The Heston AOP looks neat - but I suspect with only a De Havilland Gipsy Queen engine (around 250 HP???) it's more show than go!
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Staying off thread, and on to the AOP variation, I'm sure I saw an Optica today over Sydney. Invented in Bodmin, I think, with a Wankel motor driving a ducted fan, I think one or two were tried out by the police in UK instead of choppers. Must look a bit like the Heston. Didn't know any were still around, specially here.
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Tim,
Just found CASA's version of G-INFO - VH-BMC is an Optica registered to a gentleman in Narrabeen NSW. Doesn't mention C of As, but presume it's current.
Interestingly it claims that the aircraft has a skid undercarriage - Shurely shome mishtake...
Just found CASA's version of G-INFO - VH-BMC is an Optica registered to a gentleman in Narrabeen NSW. Doesn't mention C of As, but presume it's current.
Interestingly it claims that the aircraft has a skid undercarriage - Shurely shome mishtake...
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Thanks Treaders, I thought I might have been having a 'senior moment'! Makes sense. No doubt he flies from Bankstown, quite a lot of light traffic from there where I saw it. But skids? Didn't notice, will take more notice if I see it again. Can't think so, no snow hereabouts, and the Sydney beaches too full of surfers!
Tim
Tim
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Did a bit more googling, apparently the Optica is based at Hoxton Park (or was in 1998 - suppose that's a long time ago!). No mention of the skids being under it, so I imagine it was a CASA blunder...
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The following bits & bobs are taken from;
Heathrow:2000 years of history by P. Sherwood, Sutton Publishing 1999.
The Great West Aerodrome
Charles Richard Fairey (1887-1956) - formed his own company in 1915 The Fairey Aviation Company , with factory premises in Clayton Road, Hayes. HQ and further factory premises at Harlington. Using Northolt for test flying.
In 1928 given notice to vacate the Air Ministry aerodrome of Northolt.
Search for new site near Hayes. Fairey's test pilot had made a forced landing in 1925 at a large flat field at Heathrow.
1929-1943 Land aquired by the Fairey Aviation Company at Heathrow. By middle of 1929 180 acres aquired. Last plot aquired November 1943, making total acreage 240.
1944 Great West Aerodrome (Heathrow) airfield requisitioned by Air Ministry, and temporary arrangements made to allow Fairey Aviation to use Heston Aerodrome for flight testing.
1947 Fairey aviation evicted, yet again, by the Air Ministry.
Flight testing moved to White Waltham, more than 25 miles from the factory at Hayes !!
The Defence of The Realm Act allowed the Government to requisition land without paying compensation. The Government & Fairey's entered into a long legal battle, (was the area agricultural or industrial? etc).
This legal battle continued until 1964 - twenty years after the airfield had been requestioned! - when a sum of £1.6million was finally agreed.
The legal wranglings meant that Fairey's hangar at Heathrow could not be demolished until the question of compensation was settled. The hangar thus survived until 1964 and was the last of the original buildings at Heathrow to be demolished.
The Fairey Hangar was situated South East of the Queen's building before runway 23 (or 'Runway2' if you look at an old guide).
Heathrow:2000 years of history by P. Sherwood, Sutton Publishing 1999.
The Great West Aerodrome
Charles Richard Fairey (1887-1956) - formed his own company in 1915 The Fairey Aviation Company , with factory premises in Clayton Road, Hayes. HQ and further factory premises at Harlington. Using Northolt for test flying.
In 1928 given notice to vacate the Air Ministry aerodrome of Northolt.
Search for new site near Hayes. Fairey's test pilot had made a forced landing in 1925 at a large flat field at Heathrow.
1929-1943 Land aquired by the Fairey Aviation Company at Heathrow. By middle of 1929 180 acres aquired. Last plot aquired November 1943, making total acreage 240.
1944 Great West Aerodrome (Heathrow) airfield requisitioned by Air Ministry, and temporary arrangements made to allow Fairey Aviation to use Heston Aerodrome for flight testing.
1947 Fairey aviation evicted, yet again, by the Air Ministry.
Flight testing moved to White Waltham, more than 25 miles from the factory at Hayes !!
The Defence of The Realm Act allowed the Government to requisition land without paying compensation. The Government & Fairey's entered into a long legal battle, (was the area agricultural or industrial? etc).
This legal battle continued until 1964 - twenty years after the airfield had been requestioned! - when a sum of £1.6million was finally agreed.
The legal wranglings meant that Fairey's hangar at Heathrow could not be demolished until the question of compensation was settled. The hangar thus survived until 1964 and was the last of the original buildings at Heathrow to be demolished.
The Fairey Hangar was situated South East of the Queen's building before runway 23 (or 'Runway2' if you look at an old guide).
