Croydon (Waddon) Aerodrome

(Combined Beddington & Waddon Aerodromes)

On the 29th of March 1920 the two aerodromes combined with an opening link across Plough Lane which remained a public road with traffic halted when necessary, first by a man with a red flag and finaly by a gate. London's Airport was transferred from 'Hendon', and civilian aircraft began using it under the name of 'Croydon Aerodrome', The London Terminal Aerodrome. But was often still referred to as 'Waddon Aerodrome', as it was in the latter Parish.

The Beddington and Waddon Aerodrome's ( seperated by Plough Lane) now joined together under the name of 'Waddon Aerodrome'

In the early years many people, organisations and the media often referred to it as 'Waddon Aerodrome', and not Croydon, as this official railway poster clearly shows, as well as the aerodrome Post Ofiice and the newspaper clip in the pictures (below).

Arial Views of the two aerodromes Beddington and Waddon with Plough Lane running between them

The pictures (above) were taken during the latter part of 1920 before the new changes. Note the old farmhouse is still standing. During the early part of 1921 upgrading of the aerodrome began. In the picture (below), although the original wooden RFC control tower still remains, the word 'Croydon' has been marked out clearly with high daylight visibility, and the new night aid beacon (white at right of picture) has been set up. Details of the new beacon are shown in the newspaper clipping below.

(above) The first airline to operate from Waddon. 'Air Transport & Travel Ltd'. 1920.

(below) The Plough Lane entrance's 1920

(above and below) Crossing Plough Lane between the two aerodromes.

(below) a Blackburn Kangaroo being pushed across Plough Lane between the two aerodromes about 1920

(above) a Boulton Paul P9 crossing Plough Lane between the two aerodromes 1920

(below) Instone Airway DH4A crossing Plough Lane

(above and below) pics of aircraft crossing Plough Lane. Below pic of the Instone Airway 'City Of London' was taken in January 1921.    (below) Blackburn Kangaroo.

(above and below) Blackburn Kangaroo.

(below)The entrance and exit for passengers and visitors from Plough Lane And the first public notice at the entrance to the airfield.  (below) a little later.

(below) the first Post Office, store, and booking

(above) The first Aerodrome hotel and restaurant

(below) an early view of Waddon Aerodrome

A very early picture of the aerodrome, showing the first wooden 'Control Tower' (previously used by the R.A.F), and the original flag signaling system used between the tower and aircraft for flight control.

(above) the aerodrome in 1921

(above) Spectators waiting for some flying action not long after the aerodrome opened. (below) Also quick to take the oppertunity of getting an air service underway was the French (Air Union) with their 'Farman F60 Goliath'. The original R.A.F. wooden control tower that only saw civilian use for a few months can be seen in the background in both pictures.

(below) January 1921

Some of the first company's to operate aircraft from the aerodrome were 'Surrey Flying Services', 'Instone Airline Ltd' and 'Daimler Airways', The picture (above) is of 'Surrey Air Services' Avro Clerget aircraft used for airial photography. Picture (below) is a DH34 of the Instone Air Line, en route for Paris, over Plough Lane, Croydon. The maintenance area is to the left of the road and the Terminal buildings on the right. Powered by one 450 h.p. Napier Lion motor, and carried eight passengers at a cruising speed of 105 m.p.h. over a range of 365 miles. Twelve of the type were built and proved very reliable.

Loading an 'Instones Airline', 'Vickers Vimy' named the 'City of London'

A Croydon newspaper notice of 1920

(below) a busy day on the airfield, an Avro 552 among others.

(above and below) 1921.

The first control tower from the days of the RFC was still in use until either late 1920 or sometime in the early part of 1921 when many changes were made. It first was a hut on legs with a flat roof sloping down to the front facing the airfield.   (below) the new control tower built after the one left by the RAF, before the instruments were fitted to the roof. An Air Union 'Farman Golliath' is loading on the apron.

(below) The R.A.F. undergoing training at the aerodrome in 1920