|
Croydon
Aerodrome |
|
The
London Terminal Aerodrome |
|
1921 - 1928 |
|
During 1921 the aerodrome became
fully operational both night and day as an International Airport,
with both foreign as well as local airlines operating from it.
A new improved control tower (although still of wood construction)
was now in use. Improved 'Customs' facilty, and other businesses
now well established like 'Thomas Cook & Son' travel agency,
'Surrey Flying Services' for air photography etc. |
|
|
 |
|
(above and below) the photographs show reasonably accurately the
layout of the improved facility and the final upgraded wooden
control tower with it's better observation constructed and completed
between late 1920 and early 1921 |
 |
|
|
(Below three pictures) the addition of meteorolgical
instruments to the roof of the new Control Tower. 1922 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
(above) the airline offices along the main entrance roadway
in 1922. |
|
|
|
|
Although it's official designation was 'The London
Air Terminal Croydon'. It continued to be popularly known as
Croydon or Waddon Aerodrome for some years. The Customs Office
can be seen on the aerodrome side, where outgoing and incoming
aircraft are cleared.There is also an immigration office. The
control tower is to the left which can keep in contact with the
aircraft by radio, and control the lighting arrangement for night
flying. |
|
|
|
|
|
In 1921 described as the 'Brain of Croydon Aerodrome,
the control station and it's latest apparatus'. This was the
Landing light system for both night use as well as the radio
direction finding and communications equipment. The pictures
above and below are reproduced from the latest journal of the
day. All being firsts in the aviation world. |
|
|
 |
|
(above) the radio hut and mast at Waddon Aerodrome (below) later in 1922 |
 |
|
 |
|
(above and below)
The new entrance signs
of 1921 |
 |
|
 |
|
(above) An aerodrome sign further along Plough Lane. 1922.
stating
The London Terminal
Aerodrome Croydon To
The - Continental Arrival Departures Station |
|
 |
|
(above)
'By The Night Airmail'. Arrival of the Continental Airmail and
Passenger Express. 1922 |
|
 |
|
(above) a 1922 anouncement. |
|
 |
|
(above)
'Breguet 14T'. F-ADAH. Picture about 1922. Note the new light
beacon behind. |
|
|
(below) 1922 misc pictures |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
(below) Bristol 77 MID Bullet. being wheeled across Plough
Lane. June 1923. |
 |
|
|
(below) Publication of discussions on the aerodrome extentions
by the CAA in 1923
(left) and improvements
in1927 (right) |
|
|
|
|
|
(below) A Waddon aerodrome fuel truck, and an Avro 504K
of S.F.S. |
 |
|
 |
|
(above) the main entrance 1924. |
|
(below) the aerodrome in 1924. |
 |
|
|
(below) activity at the airport in 1924 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
The early
'Waddon Aerodrome' (Air Port Of London) boasted it's own 'Post
Office' (above). And and it's own Hotel (below) picture dated December 1927 of the second wooden
'Aerodrome Hotel' built on the airfield. |
 |
|
|
|
|
(above)
A period artists impression
of the 'Customs' and 'Airline Staff' rooms. Left picture is 1921.
Right picture is 1922. Note the second type of wooden 'Control
Tower' can be seen through the doorway. This was built when the
navigation aids were added. |
|
|
|
(above) The 'Landing Lights' and 'Position Finding' as
depicted on cigarette cards. |
|
(below) another series of cards showing air travel
from Croydon |
|
|
 |
