What did Gatwick used to look like
Gatwick Aviation Museum has half a wall dedicated to the early years of Gatwick, amongst the artifacts are the original operating license certificate.
There are quite a few old photos dating from 1932, including aerial shots showing the racecourse. The "runways" were around the course and the northern most is quite some distance from the "terminal". This may explain why the runway is so far away, once the racecourse went out of use the runways were still used in their original positions.
Come and see for yourself, the museum is open on Sunday the 15th(First this year) 10 till 4.
P Mills
Gatwick Aviation Museum - Charlwood
There are quite a few old photos dating from 1932, including aerial shots showing the racecourse. The "runways" were around the course and the northern most is quite some distance from the "terminal". This may explain why the runway is so far away, once the racecourse went out of use the runways were still used in their original positions.
Come and see for yourself, the museum is open on Sunday the 15th(First this year) 10 till 4.
P Mills
Gatwick Aviation Museum - Charlwood
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Having 'Gaters' as me home base for so many (40+) years, I still can't workout the reasoning for building an airport "in a valley, on clay and on a river"
Still I love those misty/foggy mornings
Still I love those misty/foggy mornings
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With the Northdowns to the North, the Southdowns to the South and the Ashdown Forest covering much of the only other possible sites within a reasonable reach of London and Brighton, the mid 1950s decision to expand the old, and not very well placed airport at Gatwick is, perhaps, understandable.
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How time makes changes!
Last edited by johngreen; 15th Mar 2009 at 17:47. Reason: typo
The photo linked above is very interesting to see how the airport was arranged before the 1958 changes. Notable how The Beehive was itself remote from the runways, in fact down a cul-de-sac. I don't know another airfield of the time with the terminal so far away.
If yu want to relate it to a map of the time here is an Ordnance Survey 1 inch map from 1948. Note that in those times the airport buildings, runways, etc were suppressed from OS maps on national security grounds, so it is just a blank white space. Note the racecourse, on the site of the present airport, is sharply angled :
New Popular Edition Maps
and for those who don't know it, an equivalent today, pointing to The Beehive :
Streetmap.co.uk- search results for 528600,139920
and an aerial photograph of The Beehive today, showing it surrounded by car parking and other buildings.
Link: <LGW - Google Maps>
Regarding the actual ground layout of the original airport, and given Gatwick's problems with waterlogging of runways, notable that the taxiways and perimeter track appear surfaced in the aerial photo, but not the runways, which remained grass. Other 1930s places were the same. What was the reason for that ?
If yu want to relate it to a map of the time here is an Ordnance Survey 1 inch map from 1948. Note that in those times the airport buildings, runways, etc were suppressed from OS maps on national security grounds, so it is just a blank white space. Note the racecourse, on the site of the present airport, is sharply angled :
New Popular Edition Maps
and for those who don't know it, an equivalent today, pointing to The Beehive :
Streetmap.co.uk- search results for 528600,139920
and an aerial photograph of The Beehive today, showing it surrounded by car parking and other buildings.
Link: <LGW - Google Maps>
Regarding the actual ground layout of the original airport, and given Gatwick's problems with waterlogging of runways, notable that the taxiways and perimeter track appear surfaced in the aerial photo, but not the runways, which remained grass. Other 1930s places were the same. What was the reason for that ?
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...but not the runways, which remained grass...
Add to that the fact that in the old days many pilots raised on grass strip landings actually preferred it, because there is less bounce. Most modern pilots have never tried a grass strip so they are more used to hard surfaces. Try the difference yourself one day.
why did they build the runway so far away from the terminal?
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What did Gatwick use to look like,
I visited Gatwick as an ATC cadet in 1946. The do not think there was a hard runway, Airwork was working on a variety of aircraft including a Liberator without engines. When boarded by a number of cadets via a rear door, the thing tipped back on its tail.
The Beehive and the Airwork hangar are the only buildings I remember. The only civil aircraft were DC3 and Rapides/
The A23 ran through the miidle of what is now the airport, close to Lowfield Heath Church
The Beehive and the Airwork hangar are the only buildings I remember. The only civil aircraft were DC3 and Rapides/
The A23 ran through the miidle of what is now the airport, close to Lowfield Heath Church
I was chatting with my father at the weekend and mentioned this thread, knowing that he had worked at Gatwick in the early 1950's. He recalled seeing a four engine aircraft doing touch and go's to test out the new 'hard' runway and it's various systems before the official opening. He said that it caused quite a stir at the time as it was larger and louder than most of the normal visitors and worked in his favour as he could slip away to Plumpton for the afternoon to go to the races, as he was a very keen follower of horseracing.
When would this have been and what was that aircraft(s) ?
regards
SHJ
When would this have been and what was that aircraft(s) ?
regards
SHJ
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Gatwick based GA Aircraft
I remember G-ASDN a single Comanche being based at Gatick.
Tony Mack had I think an Astec, and a B206 was there as well.
The Comanchee was replaced by a Cessna 337 Push you pull me.
We did several crew positioning trips to the west country as joy rides.
That was the entire GA fleet. We shared the airport with (I think ) Dan Air, and that was it.
Decca had a research aircraft based there too. I was a willing guest once or twice on test flights up and down G1, at night to test the new Decca Kit.
As a gov airport, any holders of ministry landing cards, issued free could use the airport FOC. I remember going up to Luton one day and having to pay.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tony Mack had I think an Astec, and a B206 was there as well.
The Comanchee was replaced by a Cessna 337 Push you pull me.
We did several crew positioning trips to the west country as joy rides.
That was the entire GA fleet. We shared the airport with (I think ) Dan Air, and that was it.
Decca had a research aircraft based there too. I was a willing guest once or twice on test flights up and down G1, at night to test the new Decca Kit.
As a gov airport, any holders of ministry landing cards, issued free could use the airport FOC. I remember going up to Luton one day and having to pay.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by Heatedfuelreturn; 19th Mar 2009 at 14:13.
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Decca had a research aircraft based there too. I was a willing guest once or twice on test flights up and down G1, at night to test the new Decca Kit.
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Eddies
at one time the S.Pier even had a snack/coffee bar (offshoot of Eddies?)
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I also still have some affection for Eddie's, an early breakfast of 'Buck Rarebit' and Mushrooms on toast hmm! Although the arrival of the 'Parrot' did give pause for thought, its arrival didn't affect the food (although today the inspectors would have fits).
From incredibly vague memory Eddie P started out running a snack bar at Croydon Airport before moving to Gatwick and getting the Canteen franchise. As Panop says a good 'greasy spoon' - with a bar (which due company regulations I never got to use).
I cannot remember when (1979 is my best guess), or why it closed.. Became a Gatwick Handling Control Centre.
Eddie's and the lone tree between it and the Terminal, survived many major changes to Gatwick (how the Tree survived the building of Concord House only God Knows), the tree remained long after Eddies Closed, is it still hanging in there?
From incredibly vague memory Eddie P started out running a snack bar at Croydon Airport before moving to Gatwick and getting the Canteen franchise. As Panop says a good 'greasy spoon' - with a bar (which due company regulations I never got to use).
I cannot remember when (1979 is my best guess), or why it closed.. Became a Gatwick Handling Control Centre.
Eddie's and the lone tree between it and the Terminal, survived many major changes to Gatwick (how the Tree survived the building of Concord House only God Knows), the tree remained long after Eddies Closed, is it still hanging in there?
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Eddies
I'd forgotten about the parrot - a macaw wasn't it?
I recall now hearing the Croydon story once - certainly sounds feasible.
I still have a tendency to pronounce 'baked beans' as 'bakkeddabins' after a couple of years of having orders read back to me at Eddies by the Italian speaking staff.
One enduring memory was the day one of the, then, newly armed police officers finished his lunch and wandered off to protect the airport leaving his nice new gun on his seat, much to the shock of the next customer who went to sit down on the same chair. A very red faced and flustered policeman appeared shortly after to reclaim his weapon and what little was left of his dignity.
The bar was an unusual feature and it was always a shock for us upright Brits to see aircrew from some countries, that then had a more relaxed attitude to such things, enjoying a glass of wine with their lunch during turnarounds.
I also recall some company alcohol regulations either being absent or treated with a certain amount of liberal interpretation for some of the ground staff but that is another story!
I recall now hearing the Croydon story once - certainly sounds feasible.
I still have a tendency to pronounce 'baked beans' as 'bakkeddabins' after a couple of years of having orders read back to me at Eddies by the Italian speaking staff.
One enduring memory was the day one of the, then, newly armed police officers finished his lunch and wandered off to protect the airport leaving his nice new gun on his seat, much to the shock of the next customer who went to sit down on the same chair. A very red faced and flustered policeman appeared shortly after to reclaim his weapon and what little was left of his dignity.
The bar was an unusual feature and it was always a shock for us upright Brits to see aircrew from some countries, that then had a more relaxed attitude to such things, enjoying a glass of wine with their lunch during turnarounds.
I also recall some company alcohol regulations either being absent or treated with a certain amount of liberal interpretation for some of the ground staff but that is another story!
Opssys,
The lone tree you mentioned has long since gone, as has the Gatwick Handling Despatch Centre which was demolished to make way for the Concorde House "2000" extension. There was a greasy spoon for staff that flourished on the ground floor of Atlantic House in the 80's and early 90's. This was known as "Eddies", I think as a throwback to the earlier establishment on the other side of the terminal. It later became a jobcentre and is now the BAA ID centre.
The lone tree you mentioned has long since gone, as has the Gatwick Handling Despatch Centre which was demolished to make way for the Concorde House "2000" extension. There was a greasy spoon for staff that flourished on the ground floor of Atlantic House in the 80's and early 90's. This was known as "Eddies", I think as a throwback to the earlier establishment on the other side of the terminal. It later became a jobcentre and is now the BAA ID centre.
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Shame about the tree as it appears in the 1961 Picture and the pictures I submitted of the 1970's (one of which keeps disappearing), so if the Concord House Extension was 2000, I suspect it did hang in there until the late 1990's. Not bad in a constantly evolving Airport. Environment.
One of the other surprises was the House inside the perimeter. This was still a residence in the mid-1980's and was located on the A23 side of the Perimeter Road, down from the Former Laker Hangar. From memory rented out on short tenancy to BAA staff.. I suspect that as (from memory) it wasn't on land with an obvious development use (other than another relatively small Car Park) meant it was allowed to survive, but I guess that it has now also gone?
One of the other surprises was the House inside the perimeter. This was still a residence in the mid-1980's and was located on the A23 side of the Perimeter Road, down from the Former Laker Hangar. From memory rented out on short tenancy to BAA staff.. I suspect that as (from memory) it wasn't on land with an obvious development use (other than another relatively small Car Park) meant it was allowed to survive, but I guess that it has now also gone?
Opssys,
The house you describe is still there although in a very delapidated state. Until a couple of years ago it was still accessible but now it is boarded up and fenced off. The surrounding trees and bushes have grown to such an extent that its difficult to spot amongst the foliage.
The house you describe is still there although in a very delapidated state. Until a couple of years ago it was still accessible but now it is boarded up and fenced off. The surrounding trees and bushes have grown to such an extent that its difficult to spot amongst the foliage.
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primreamer.
Thanks for that. Finaly did what should have been obvious and had a look on Google Maps Satellite View. The House is still visible. Surprised that as it survived the BAA didn't continue to find ways of making money out of it!
Thanks for that. Finaly did what should have been obvious and had a look on Google Maps Satellite View. The House is still visible. Surprised that as it survived the BAA didn't continue to find ways of making money out of it!
? If so plse ctc.Join Date: Mar 2002
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Early days at LGW
Here's a few more 'gems' to add to the LGW story.
'Twas 1974 when having just purchased a Piper Cub from Hilversum, I needed to clear customs at the 'Long Room' so found myself touching down on the piano keys and bouncing along the 26 runway. I seem to remember ground control cleared me to the GAT caravan northside via taxiways 6. 4 and 1.
A big jet Captain had seen me taxying past his flight deck and later called my Shoreham office to enquire if the Cub he had seen was for sale. After a short coversation, he agreed to buy and a cheque promptly arrived the next morning, the jet Captain never even having inspected the aircraft. Mind it was only £7,000! In those days I routinely did circuits and bumps in our Aztec C model, which I later sold to Tony Mack when he part exchanged his A model Aztec G-ATAA I think it was.
Some good pictures of the 1950s Gatwick adorn the walls of the nearby Tescos and about the mid 1970s, I attended a roudy B-Cal hostess' party at that house standing inside the perimeter on the south side.
Finally, in the 1970s several Westland Wessex 60s were at the Beehive being converted to the 'twin pack' 58C's.
All happy memories,
Dennis K
'Twas 1974 when having just purchased a Piper Cub from Hilversum, I needed to clear customs at the 'Long Room' so found myself touching down on the piano keys and bouncing along the 26 runway. I seem to remember ground control cleared me to the GAT caravan northside via taxiways 6. 4 and 1.
A big jet Captain had seen me taxying past his flight deck and later called my Shoreham office to enquire if the Cub he had seen was for sale. After a short coversation, he agreed to buy and a cheque promptly arrived the next morning, the jet Captain never even having inspected the aircraft. Mind it was only £7,000! In those days I routinely did circuits and bumps in our Aztec C model, which I later sold to Tony Mack when he part exchanged his A model Aztec G-ATAA I think it was.
Some good pictures of the 1950s Gatwick adorn the walls of the nearby Tescos and about the mid 1970s, I attended a roudy B-Cal hostess' party at that house standing inside the perimeter on the south side.
Finally, in the 1970s several Westland Wessex 60s were at the Beehive being converted to the 'twin pack' 58C's.
All happy memories,
Dennis K
Pictures of "old Gatwick"
Just thought I'd revive this thread having just taken some pictures of the Gatwick history as recorded by Gatwick Aviation Museum. There are two walls of information and pictures of Gatwick from 1932 until the present day.
Here are a couple of pictures taken of some of the display of Gatwick history:-
http://gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk...s/gatwick2.jpg
http://gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk...s/gatwick1.jpg
pm
Gatwick Aviation Museum
Here are a couple of pictures taken of some of the display of Gatwick history:-
http://gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk...s/gatwick2.jpg
http://gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk...s/gatwick1.jpg
pm
Gatwick Aviation Museum
Last edited by pmills575; 5th Sep 2012 at 13:36.