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The
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The company was first
formed at Croydon Airport as an aviation sales company by A.J.
(Jim) under the name A.J. Whittemore & Co, and was involved
in the buying and selling on of mainly ex RAF aircraft. The decommisioned
RAF aircraft were often refurbished and re-commisioned for civilian
use. |
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Ex RAF 'Percival Proctor' bought
and converted to civilian spec by Whittemore's. The early workshop
and first company name is visible behind. |
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In 1952 he formed the
company under the new name of A.J.Whittemore (Aeradio) Ltd, and
later combined with Roger Peacock of 'R.A.Peacock (Avionics)
Ltd' as an additional director. The company now added the diversity
of aircraft radio, radar and electronics to it's operations,
and again with the accent on the onsale of refurbished ex WW2
military equipment. The business was further expanded by the
addition of installation and repairs. In January 1959 the company
was also advertising DH Rapide aircraft for charter or hire at
Croydon, with or without a pilot. The companys business activities
were well scattered throughout the airport. Offices were in the
Terminal Building, as was the first main radio workshop with
it's 'Cage', the latter situated on the northern corner. Further
along the building from the workshop towards the airfield was
located one of several stores. Another store was located in a
small brick and concrete building on the south side of the Terminal
near Olley Air Services. Much of the companys activities also
took place in and around the area of 'D Hanger'. Alongside the
hanger was located yet another workshop and another store (this
one with it's own resident storeman), as well as the paint and
spray shop. Croydon Airport finaly closed with the last flight
out in 1959 with the company re-locating to Biggin Hill in 1960
where they took over Flight Servicing. |
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The Man |
A.J. had certainly been
flying since a fairly young man, he is listed in the 'Gazette',
as having stepped down from command as a Flying Officer in the
RAFVR on the 7th of April 1943. He was always a keen pilot and
in 1960 along with R.K.Dundas flew a Piper Apache across the
world from Biggin Hill to Christchurch, New Zealand. The plane
was delivered personaly by the two of them after being prepared
by his company, and the sale negotiated which included delivery
by Dundas. The delivery including the price of the plane was
reported by 'Flight' magazine as having been completed for 8,000
pounds.
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(above) Picture
taken at one of the company's party's about 1957. A.J is on the
left, Mary ? next to him, then Mr Cummins the workd manager,
lady on the right is Cummins secretary with possibly R.A. Peacock
behind her. |
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1950's
Some Company Employees |
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(above) On
the right, Frank Gosling and June (later married). Others unknown. |
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(Below) L to R.
Two women who worked as electronic assemblers in 'D' Hangar.
Unknown, the storeman, Frank Gosling. |
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(Above) Pic taken at the back of 'D' Hangar. L to R. the
storeman, Nick the painter, Frank Gosling. |
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(Above) Frank
Gosling in the workshop in the Terminal building. |
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(Below) Frank Golding (front) and Frank
Gosling in the 'D' Hangar paintshop. |
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(below)
Whittemore's also had a
'Polar Diagam' division which consisted of a 5Cwt Fordson van
with (usually) two operators. Although the senior engineering
staff took a dim view of radio amateurs, a large aerial, the
design of which came out of the 'RSGB Bulletin', was mounted
on the roof. The object of its use was to record the radiation
pattern of the VHF aerials in situ on the aircraft. Quite often
the Compass Swinging base was the site of operations, visits
to other airfields were also undertaken.
In the picture below
a 'C47' is being prepared for the fitting of a 'loop arial' in
readiness for it's 'Polar Diagram'. |
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(above) a rebuilt 'Percival Proctor' awaiting
it's radio installation. (below) a newly rebuilt 'Douglas C47'
for BOAC, being fitted out with it's radio and navigation systems. |
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(above)
in this 'Terminal' building plan of 1930 (similar to the final
construction) much changed between then and the 'Post War' period.
The workshops of A.J.Whittemore (aeradio) Ltd in the period 1952
-1959 were in the right hand side of the building (which was
extended level with the front entrance) on the side marked 'Goods
Incoming', Air Union, KLM, LEP Transport. The 'Air Express' area
became one of several storerooms around the airport. The company
offices were above on the next floor. |
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