Croydon Airport
 

Croydon Airport, long gone now... Does anyone have any memories of living near, working at or flying from Croydon?

All that remains now apart from the well preserved control tower with DH Heron (I think) outside seems to be a hangar and a strip of concrete which looks like the SE end of one of the runways...

Anyone have any memories of the dying days of the airport? Photos etc?

Croydon? Didn't that used to be an airport?

I'm far too young to know anything about that, but about 10 years ago I worked with an air traffic controller who had started his career at Croydon. (must have been late 1940's early 1950's)

Amongst the tales he told me about the place was that as a trainee ATCO on nightshift he was left alone in the tower while his mentor went home to bed... "Nothing to it...telephone if you need any help".

Flew from there to Geneva on a skiing holiday in Dec during the late fifties. One thing I do remember is that there wasn't a whole sealed or concrete runway but just a short length at the takeoff end. This may be the strip you refer to.

I presume this was just long enough to help the initial acceleration and allow the Dak get its tail in the air before we hit the mud,
because the place was fairly waterlogged at that time of the year.

If you want to know about Croydon, you need to know that there is a Croydon Airport Society, with about 800 members worldwide. No website, but tel 01737 551447; fax 01883 341442.

They have meetings, tours, a tremendous archive, and a newsletter full of esoteric good stuff--they also sell several books on the subject.

Ah, Croydon! Dad was on home leave from Burma in the summer of '37 and took the family there for an outing one sunny day. I would have been 9. The terminal oozed glamour (built in "Art Deco" style I think). The thing to remember is that Croydon had nothing to do with mass air travel; flying was still the perk of the very rich and the very few (and seemed to prefer it that way!). One (not I) swept up to the entrance in the "Roller", flunkies opened the door, porters (remember them?) grabbed your bags and you were whisked away to the reception desk of one of the world's leading airlines in the foyer. There were smart restaurants, "cocktail bars" and, if you just wanted to goof, like us, you were pointed towards the roof observation terrace. Here they provided a running commentary over a PA system on the aeronautical activity. (Not too busy a job for the commentator!). I remember him rapsodising over the arrival of a KLM DC1 (or 2?), a silver, streamlined dreamship, whih "cruised at 150 mph" (in awed tones). Then we watched the Imperial HP birdcage waddle off towards Paris, all four wings flapping and engines roaring without much visible effect. I seem to remember the commentator saying that the 80 mph cruise gave plenty of time for a slap up meal, preceded by cocktails. No nonsense about plastic, it was proper crockery, silver and crystal.
I eventually wore Dad down and we went along to the office of Olley's Air Services, who sold short hops around the local area for about Ten Bob (half a quid, but I would not debase it by calling it 50p! it represented a fortune to a prep schoolboy) for 15/20 mins. I seem to remember that Capt Olley was ex-RFC because he and Dad, also ex-RFC, struck up instant rapport. We climbed into a DH Dragon, a pretty little twin engined biplane with a cabin for 6-8(?)passengers, two Gypsey engines and fixed undercarriage in spats. There was no bulkhead between the pilot and the passengers, so I could watch all that Olley did like a hawk. There was no R/T, so what ATC there was must have been done by Aldis lamps. The ride was uneventful, but a bit lumpy, and Dad looked a bit glum after a bit and his conversation with Olley dried up. On the ground again, I asked him with my usual tact whether he had felt airsick. "No. I thought Olley was spending too much time chatting to me and not enough looking where he was going".
Neverthess, he enjoyed the experience enough to join the flying club at Mingladon airport when he returned to Burma, and gained his PPL in Tiger Moths. He said the Tiger was a delight, but very "twitchy" compared with the lumbering old RE8 Harry Tate that he remembered so well from the RFC. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[ 21 December 2001: Message edited by: Flatus Veteranus ]</p>

Airways, your mates must have heard you, they've got their site up; <a href="http://basic1.easily.co.uk/05F04C/02D020/" target="_blank">Croydon Airport Society.</a>

I used to work with some guys who worked for Rollason at the airport. I remember one of them showing me pictures of rows of upended, wingless Tiger Moths in storage on their noses.

I used to drive by there regularly as a child and distinctly recall puzzling over how it could be called an airport when there weren't any aircraft there anymore!

It must have been IFR's childhood haunt?

Hey CH. You got that right. I was there from five years old. Saw great sights - some of which I even remember.

Got some other memories of years after the war. I just have to find my scrap book.

There is quite a good article in the December issue of Aeroplane on flying the HP.42 and of operating from Croydon. Including some good pix of the old tower/terminal building where, funnily enough, the Missus starts a new job in Jan.

A wonderful thread.

I played baseball there for many years (fields behind the "tower" have several diamonds).

Still a few folk that fly model airplanes on a Sunday.

I suppose my only other connection is that I am in the early stages of getting my CPL etc here in the USA.

Never really gave aviation a thought 7 years ago whilst running across the fields........

my dad learnt to fly there before it closed and when i came to learn to fly in 1988 i turned up at biggin hill to book lessons and ended up being taught by the same guy that taught my dad. anyone know if rex nichols is still instructing , he was a couple of years ago. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[ 21 December 2001: Message edited by: stalling attitude ]</p>

Croydon Airport
 

Does anyone here live near Croydon or have any old ties with the old airport?

I live in Wallington and am only 22 but often wonder what it would have been like to have the old aircraft making their approach over my house 50 years ago.

Is there anywhere that has a detailed history of the airport with photos etc? I know there is a heron (or is it a dove) on a pole outside the old terminal building but is that the only relic of years gone by?

whats the old terminal building like inside now? I heard they were going to try and restore it but heard nothing else.

Would be grateful for any input/comments. I would really like to know what it was like back in the day.

thanks
NC

The control tower and booking hall are open to the public on the first Sunday of each month between 11am and 4pm. Well worth a visit.

Airclues

NC - regret cannot help with on-the-spot experience of what Croydon Airport was actually like (even I am too young). Suggest you: a) get yourself down there and view excellent display in foyer (inc silver Tiger Moth hanging from roof) or b) go there on first Sunday in any month between 10am and 4pm when the Croydon Airport Society open the old control tower and, if you are lucky, assign you a personal guide (who likely CAN give you personal memories of the field). You'll be asked to bung a few shillings in the Society's collection box but, hey, worthy cause or wot? And, while I am on the subject, since Croydon was the world's first civil airport, ever - why didn't we get one of the Concorde airframes to pose outside? Two British firsts and all that? Is there still time..?

You can also visit Sutton Library who have a great reading section on the old aerdrome. But..........I agree with a visit to the old booking hall. The feeling is great.

I live within a mile, but moved here when the airport was sadly long since closed. If i nip round the other side of the office floor, beautiful view of the industrial site that was once the airport buildings, and the common that was once the landing area... Lovely morning, the sun is rising over the misty hills of South Croydon...

You used to be able to get lots of b/w postcards of aeroplanes there, the HP-42s, Argosys, etc, plus more modern types including ther Morton Heron which was the last commercial flight to leave the airport I believe, in 1958... Hence the Heron on the pole outside. The airport closed officially in 1959, but still had Rollasons building Condors and Turbulents and civillianising Tiger Moths for some years after that. Presumably they were trailered to Redhill. An acquaintance in the Dog and Bull was apprenticed there for a short while in the 50s....

Some of the pubs around here have pics - the Skylark in South Croydon seems to have an eclectic selection of images, including a Connie which never came into Croydon, and a Tiger Moth with a standing-on-the-wing passenger, which did. Ah! 1989 and the Very Last Ever Airshow at Croydon, organised by the Tiger Club.... super, Ray Hanna flying his Spitfire between the Tower block at Roundshaw (since demolished I think) and the chimney on the Indy Estate, Brendan O'Brien nearly getting arrested by a couple of flatfoots for "stealing an aeroplane" - they were fooled by the build-up to his crazy flying display... I digress... pleasureably!

Sutton Library Services published a whole series of books chronicling Croydon's history right up to closure in 1959. I don't know if they are still in print, but if not they should certainly be in local libraries. Tempus Publishing has published two volumes of Croydon photographs compliled by Mike Hooks. the most recent (2002) is Croydon Airport - The Peaceful Years (ISBN 0 7524 2758 X, £12.99). Recommended, though the black-and-white photo reproduction is only so-so.

The Airport Hotel (now part of a chain?) used to have framed cartoons of some of the great pilots of the pre-war era in its bar. They may still be there.

Most interesting and thanks for the clue about the books. My paternal grandfather was closely involved in Croydon airport in the 1920s and 30s.

He was in the RFC and then in the civil aircraft business for the rest of his life.

In the early 20s, they lived modestly in London Road and my father was born there. Later, when they moved to Ashford, Middlesex, he was at Heston and the Great West aerodrome. Many stories told about my ebullient grandfather. One of his closest friends was 'Smithy'. When he was in England, Kingsford-Smith used to stay with my grandparents and hanger his machines with my grandfather.

My own father died two years ago, so not possible to check further details!

Very off topic, but I used to play baseball at Roundshaw, and often saw the radio control a/c types out there. Had a few beers in the awfully bright painted pub at the intersection nearby on many occasion.

Often wondered (before and after the beer) how nice the airfield must have been in its' heyday.

Ah, the Propeller, became the Hungry Horse, now boarded up... best thing really...

There is some good info/pics here, in case you have not found it.

Just found a page from Air Pictorial I stuck in a scrap book. The air show began at 1000hrs on 5th May 1980. I flew from Biggin and landed at about 1004 in my Islander G-BDWG. The first aircraft to land at Croydon since it closed in September 1959.

I was to drop the Royal Artillery parachute team which was 'fun' since the runway was only 450yds long. I got off OK - the landing was much easier!

CP: there's a nice colour photo of you and 'ADWG in Mike Hooks's book (see my previous post). Just starting to roll by the look of it, fine spray coming up from the wheels.

Thanks AH I will make a point of seeking out a copy. Ah dear Mike Hook, one of the nicer people who 'pestered' me in my offices at Biggin. Always had time for him especially at the Air Fair's. Perhaps you were there too!!!

<<Perhaps you were there too>.

Used to edit/write the souvenir Air Fair programme for Jock and Jim back in the 80s.

Croydon Airport
 

Following my last request for memories/tit bits about Wisley aerodrome, I'm hoping that some people on here might have some memories/photos of Croydon Airport. I have lived just down the road from it all my life (which isn't very long by some regular ppruners' standards!) but have yet to meet anyone that had visited/worked or flown from there.

Couple of questions also:

1. I've seen a photo of an HP Herald sitting on the Apron at Croydon. Was this the largest/heaviest aircraft to use the field?

2. Did any jet aircraft use Croydon? Perhaps a Meteor diversion from Biggin etc.

Just asking out of interest! Would love to hear some memoirs!

Cheers
NC

There are a few books written locally about Croydon, each is available from libraries in Croydon and Sutton. There is also the Croydon Aiport Society who meet regularly in the old main building. They are always ready to help with enquiries and are always looking for new members.

CP

NC

I actually worked at Croydon Aerodrome (I don't think the word airport had been invented when they built it) back in the early 1960's long after it had ceased to be used by aircraft. My job was in the AFTN comcentre which was in what I think was an old converted hangar right on the Purley Way. By this time the middle of the field was completely overgrown by grass although the perrimeter track was still there. Used to let my 14 year old brother drive me car around it until I found out that the local plod used to take their dogs for a run there. I remember the old hard stand still being there and if my memory serves me right the old control tower still had the plaque stating that it was 650 feet above sea level. My favourite memory is of the "old" aerodrome hotel which in my day was a lovely boozer still complete with lots of old signed photo's of the original aviators and their 'trixes. It was a standing feature there that since at 10 p.m. around 35 of us on our watch would all arrive in one big scrum, at about 9.55 the barmen would start pulling 35 pints and have them on the counter ready for us - and then start pulling the next 35 - remember way back then we only had half an hours drinking time left until last orders.

Not too long after I left in 1964 the whole thing was turned into Roundshaw housing estate and the last time I saw the pub, sometime in the m id 70's it was all neon and crap. Gotta say though even I don't go back as far as the time they had traffic lights on the Purley Way to stop the traffic so that aircraft taking off could cross the road and use the field on the other side to continue their run.

Ah nostalgia mate, it IS what it used to be.

Heat :ok:

Croydon Airport
 

Anyone know if the original Croydon airport was ever called "City of London Airport"?

Thanks for any help

Yes, No.

SGC

incidents at croydon airport
 

Apologies for ressurecting the thread, but I have just driven past the scene of the St Christopher Airservices Gemine crash in Ridge Park by chance for the first time over 40 years. The crash was at no 20 or 22 a house occupied by the Bluitt family. There was thick snow on the ground at the time which might have had some bearing on the accident. The plane came to rest facing the direction it had come, ie Croydon airport, the tail intact, resting on the front facing ridge of the house. I walked round to it after coming home from school to find the plane being guarded by PC Plod who was fending off questions from us 7 year olds. I can remember being suprised at how intact the plane seemed and that it was made from wood, particularly a large concave shaped piece that looked like a wash basin!!!. I think the wings were more or less intact together with one side of the cockpit. There were no coverings or tarpaulins, so we were not aware of any fatalities or injuries to the occupents. I think the wreckage was removed the following day.

Slight thread drift here but but at the adjacent corner, where the road now continues down to Ambrey Way the used to be the gates to a large house called, I think, Wodcote House which became derilict and an illicit playground, but at the time had a blue Speedbird sign at the gates, and I assume the house was used as an office by the nascent BOAC. Again a slight thread drift, but a nearby house in Ridge Park was occupied by a retired G/C who I understand became an accident inspector for the CAA, might have even been the Chief. Indeed a G/C Tweedie lived nearbye in Plough Lane was I understand involved in accident investigation as well.

I have already mentioned in an earlier post how I cowered under the bed clothes as Dakotas, Ansons, and Consuls thundered seemingly between the chimney pots at 0400 with the newspapers. It seems amazing now how there were not more accidents with the airport being situated in a bowl with housing or industry surrounding it. I can remember a Dove with engine problems crawling over the trees of the cricket club next door, I believe it eventualy made a forced landing in fields towards Banstead. The accident mentioned earlier in Wallington was on top of the Methodist Church Hall in Bandon Hill, and it was subsequently rebuilt.

One incident that has always intregued me was one in late 40's on a Saturday, which involved a Dakota taking off towards the terminal building, and colliding with another plane being one being loaded with passengers. The Dakota was an immegrant flight Rhodesia, ( Spencer Airways, overloaded? ) apparently there was time to unload the plane on the apron before the collision. Perhaps someone could enlighten me, getting passengers off plane of that ilk takes some doing in the time available or was it simply a lght plane. We were travelling up Forresters Drive at the time and witnessed a large amount of smoke from the area as we turned into Stratton Avenue on our way home and assumed it was rubbish being burned and didnt realise the significance of it till later.

The only accident that I actually witnessed was that of an Airways Aero Aiglet which splayed its undercarriage onn the east west runway and closed the airport for a couple of hours.

I used to spend many hours by the railings in Forresters Drive watching the comings and goings, the hours I must have wasted!!!, the advent of the Mexican Viking emerging from the Air Couriers hanger and actually flying, or the arrival of the Leonodes Helold to clear Customs being the only highlights I can remember with any clarity, though I did see the Heron climbing away on the last flight as travelled home on the train through South Croydon Station.

I hope these disjointed ramblings are of some interest to fellow residents of the Croydon Airport community Alan

Not quite the first
 

Croydon became the official air terminus for London on 28 March 1920 replacing Hounslow.

I have two pictures of the Czech DC 3 which was destroyed by the Spencer DC 3 which were taken by my father just after it happened however I cannot seem to get the hang of uploading pictures to this forum. I realise I am steam driven at my age but the whole process seems more difficult than other forums I am on.
KeMac

If you can locate a copy, Roy Lockwood's 1934 short film "Airport" makes interesting viewing. It's a "day in the life" of Croydon Airport, and includes footage of an HP42 loading, fueling, starting & flying from Croydon. Also the mechanics stripping an engine from same, & some wonderful (lack of) H&S regarding solvents and climbing scaffolding towers.

There are other aircraft featured, but I can't remember the details.

CROYDON AIRPORT....?
 

Croydon Airport, in recent times, has held an open day on the first Sunday of January. I've been a couple of times previously, but this year the 1st Sunday is New Year's day.

Has it in fact taken place, or does anybody know if this year it will be next Sunday, the 8th? There didn't seem to me any mention on the visitor centre page.

I've read PPRuNe contributions from Croydon Airport Historians from those parts, so hoping someone will know......

P.S. For our non-UK cousins, Croydon Airport was London's main international version during the 1930s, and later. All that exists now is the original combined terminal and control tower building. It's also very much the flavour of Art Deco.

Redhill Airshow, Vintage Fly-in, Garden Party & Collectors' Fair

Batchy

......Thanks, Batchy.

Just as I'd hoped.

Times plse
 

Hi Batchy,

There's no times published on the flyer for the 8th at Croydon, can you plse post these. I've tried to call Redhill & sent a mail, but no answer.

Thks Merlin

Callypilot
 

Fancy a mini Prune bash next Sunday at Croydon fair ?

Croydon Avtn Fair start time
 

Tis 1030 or there abouts per AceBell