UK airports 1970s - the "satellite"
Pre-war there were few hard runways, aircraft were still around which had not been designed for this, for example still having only a tail skid, not a tail wheel, and didn't have the wheel loading that necessitated hard runways, which only really came with WW2 4-engined bombers. Furthermore, cross-wind performance was poor (almost non-existent for some), so a large open grass area, and a wind indicator visible from aloft, was necessary to always land into wind.
Gatwick, like Croydon, in the 1930s was grass only, but suffered from winter waterlogging to the extent that (the pre-war) British Airways, who had transferred there when the new Beehive satellite terminal opened, moved on again after the first winter to Heston. I read recently that the underground passage at "old" Gatwick from the Beehive to the railway station terminal (which was to the south of the current station), although still present, was waterlogged, and could only be passed through with waders. Clearly the drainage there was inadequate.
Croydon had a pioneer "runway", though done for takeoff, it was marked out on the grass each day, into wind, with white lines like a sports field, and was done to give direction for pilots in low visibility departures.
Gatwick, like Croydon, in the 1930s was grass only, but suffered from winter waterlogging to the extent that (the pre-war) British Airways, who had transferred there when the new Beehive satellite terminal opened, moved on again after the first winter to Heston. I read recently that the underground passage at "old" Gatwick from the Beehive to the railway station terminal (which was to the south of the current station), although still present, was waterlogged, and could only be passed through with waders. Clearly the drainage there was inadequate.
Croydon had a pioneer "runway", though done for takeoff, it was marked out on the grass each day, into wind, with white lines like a sports field, and was done to give direction for pilots in low visibility departures.
Last edited by WHBM; 23rd Jan 2023 at 20:13.
It was very 'of the future' when it opened, especially as it was connected to the South Terminal by a monorail. I used it a fair bit back in the day and if I recall correctly it was only US Transatlantic flights, such as Continental, World, Northwest, People Express etc. The whole ambiance of it being in a circle was a very different experience imo.
Earlier this year I walked there from South and flew Vueling to BCN and it was decidedly unremarkable. Tacky feeling even.
P.S. Although, incidentally, I was pleasantly surprised by the Vueling flight.
0918
A major factor in the water-logging and not infrequent mist cum fog at Gatwick Airport was/is the River Mole that these days runs in a culvert under the runway on its merry way to join the River Thames at Hampton Court.
I too recall it being quite a ‘special’ experience. I think I flew long haul to the US from there. Perhaps Continental back in the late 1980’s.
Earlier this year I walked there from South and flew Vueling to BCN and it was decidedly unremarkable. Tacky feeling even.
P.S. Although, incidentally, I was pleasantly surprised by the Vueling flight.
0918
Earlier this year I walked there from South and flew Vueling to BCN and it was decidedly unremarkable. Tacky feeling even.
P.S. Although, incidentally, I was pleasantly surprised by the Vueling flight.
0918
And I totally agree with your comment regarding it now being totally unremarkable and 'tacky'.
I personally feel that the satellite is now totally outdated and in need of a total rebuild or a huge refurbishment or better still replaced entirely with a more modern and up-to-date structure. But that is not in the airports master plan for now, plus it would create complete chaos.
Paxing All Over The World
India Four Two This is an image search from the big G: History of Gatwick Airport
This is a clear timeline: The History of Gatwick Airport 1241AD to 1958 with multiple photos and diagrams. It is part of a tribute site to B-Cal.
This is a clear timeline: The History of Gatwick Airport 1241AD to 1958 with multiple photos and diagrams. It is part of a tribute site to B-Cal.
PAXboy,
Excellent links. Thank you.
Excellent links. Thank you.
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Just on the subject of Gatwick and the Beehive, it's possible to buy parking at the Beehive for £5 a day via yourparkingspace, (referrals available via DM for a free fiver credit I think) with about a 20 minute walk to the modern terminals. For anyone with an interest in civil aviation history it's ineffably cool to park outside the Beehive, which still has the rails on which the early airbridges extended out to the aircraft. It's now bookable office spaces.
We're quite well served for early airports in the UK SE. Most of the Croydon terminal is still there and worth a visit for the museum and tower, and the lovely Shoreham art deco terminal is still used for general aviation.
We're quite well served for early airports in the UK SE. Most of the Croydon terminal is still there and worth a visit for the museum and tower, and the lovely Shoreham art deco terminal is still used for general aviation.
there's even a working relic along the M4 - I think its called Heathrow.
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Heathrow was of course famously built on the pretext of helping with the war on Japan, but with the unstated aim of setting up a civil base to replace Croydon, thereby sidestepping a great deal of scrutiny. A relative newcomer.
