Heston Aerodrome c.1930s AFL03_aerofilms_c19981
Heston Aerodrome, Hounslow, Middlesex. The control tower (centre) may have been the first purpose-built example and became the model for this class of building. Between 1931 and 1937 Heston Airport was operated as a commercial airport by Airwork Ltd (whose logo appears on the the Customs House and aircraft), after which it was taken over by the Air Ministry. It was used as a fighter base during wartime, but Heathrow was preferred as the site for a commercial airport and the aerodrome was closed in 1947. Aerofilms Collection (see Links).
R101 at Cardington AFL03_aerofilms_29993
R101 at Cardington, Bedfordshire, 1929. Built 1926-30 at the Royal Airship Works at Cardington, the final test flight was 1st October 1930. Three days later the R101 departed for Karachi but crashed into a hillside near Beauvais, north of Paris, killing 48 of its 54 passengers. Aerofilms Collection (see Links).
Heathrow Airport AA073304
HEATHROW AIRPORT, Greater London. A BOAC aircraft with boarding steps to left at Heathrow Airport. Photograph by John Gay in 1970.
Visiting dignitary AFL03_aerofilms_b730
Dignitary and airmen at Heston Aerodrome. The plane in the background is a Spartan Cruiser passenger aircraft operated by Spartan Air Lines Limited on the London-Cowes (Isle of Wight) route between 1933 and 1935. It crashed in the Channel in May 1935. Aerofilms Collection (see Links).
First ever Aerofilms photograph AFL03_aerofilms_001
LONDON AERODROME, Hendon. The first ever Aerofilms commercial aerial photograph taken in July 1919 showing the London Country Club (formerly the London Flying Club). The building was later used as Hendon Police College, which opened in 1934. This site had been promoted as London Aerodrome since 1911, and was used in the First World War to train Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service pilots. It reopened to civilian use in 1919 and was the venue for flying displays, as well as being the first base for Aerofilms. In 1922 the RAF took over the aerodrome and civilian flights were excluded. EPW000001 Aerofilms Collection (see Links).
Taken on the first Aerofilms flight AFL03_aerofilms_003
LONDON AERODROME, Hendon. From the first ever Aerofilms flight taking commercial aerial photography in July 1919. Shows the area around Hendon and another aircraft in flight. EPW000003 Aerofilms Collection (see Links).
London Aerodrome in 1919 AFL03_aerofilms_009
LONDON AERODROME, Hendon. Aerial photograph taken in September 1919 showing the London Country Club (formerly the London Flying Club). The building was later used as Hendon Police College, which opened in 1934. This site had been promoted as London Aerodrome since 1911, and was used in the First World War to train Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service pilots. It reopened to civilian use in 1919 and was the venue for flying displays, as well as being the first base for Aerofilms. In 1922 the RAF took over the aerodrome and civilian flights were excluded. A number of aircraft can be seen clustering close to the club house. EPW000009 Aerofilms Collection (see Links).
Bentley car and aircraft propellers AA087923
HEATHROW AIRPORT, B E A Aircraft Hangar, London. A Bentley car parked on the runway in front of the British European Airways buildings at Heathrow Airport with the propellers of an aircraft visible in the foreground. Photographed by John Gay. Date range: 1960-1974.
Heathrow airport 24435_002
HEATHROW AIRPORT, Middlesex. An aerial view of London Heathrow airport showing the service area with Boeing 747s and concorde. Photographed September, 2006.
Doncaster Airport AFL03_Aerofilms_49428
DONCASTER AIRPORT AND BELLE VUE STADIUM. View of the airfield and the home of Doncaster Rovers Football Club, photographed in 1935. Aerofilms Collection (see Links).
Graf Zeppelin AFL03_aerofilms_c11323
The Graf Zeppelin moored at Hanworth Aerodrome, London Air Park in July 1932. This was her third and final visit to the UK after a flight over London in 1930 and a 24-hour round-Britain passenger tour in August 1931. Once again she took a passenger tour around Britain in 24 hours before returning to Hanworth. Dr Hugo Eckener, the head of the Zeppelin passenger company, took personal charge of the Graf Zeppelin on several record breaking flights as well as using it as a public relations tool and an attraction drawing large crowds. Aerofilms Collection (see Links).
Flying circus AFL03_aerofilms_41022
Flying circus, April 1933. Aviation events like this one were popular entertainments between the wars, including aerobatics, barnstorming and wing-walking (as seen here). In 1933 the UK Civil Aviation Authority banned wing-walking without a rigid harness, so this photograph must have been taken shortly before the ban. Aerofilms Collection (see Links).
Dirigible and aircraft AFL03_aerofilms_b2308
Dirigible and BE2 aircraft, pre-war, no date or location. This small unidentified airship is probably a Royal Navy submarine spotter, flying the white ensign and being attended by a number of naval personnel. The Royal Aircraft Factory BE2 in the foreground was widely used from 1914, most successfully against Zeppelin raiders in 1916, but thereafter was largely used for training. This example is missing its tail fin but retains its rudder and may have been decommissioned. Aerofilms Collection (see Links).
Former Flight Booking Office, Brooklands IoE 286903
Brooklands, Surrey. c1911 and reputedly the world's first flight booking office. IoE 286903.
Austin van and aircraft propellers AA087965
HEATHROW AIRPORT, B E A Aircraft Hangar, London. A view of an Austin van parked on the apron outside the British European Airways aircraft hangar at Heathrow Airport with the propellers of an aircraft in the foreground. Photographed by John Gay. Date range: 1960-1974.
Aerial photography 1919 AFL03_aerofilms_c12930
"Wills, Shaw and Friese-Greene Ready to Film". A publicity shot for the foundation of the Aerofilms aerial photography company taken at the London Aerodrome, Hendon. Francis Lewis Wills was a former Royal Naval Air Service Observer and co-founder of Aerofilms. Claude Friese-Greene, holding the cine-camera, was technical director for Aerofilms in its early days, but is best known as a pioneering cinematographer. We know very little about Shaw, the pilot, probably an AirCo employee. K-109 was a biplane built and owned by AirCo - in 1920 the company was taken over by De Haviland and this model became the DH9b. Aerofilms Collection (see Links).