Local History
All Key Stages
Hendon – Cradle of Aviation
The RAF Museum’s historic site has been connected with aviation for over a century. In 1911 pioneer
aviator Claude Grahame-White bought 207 acres of land between Colindale and Hendon and
promoted the site as the London Aerodrome. He established a flying school and an aircraft factory
here. Keen to demonstrate the potential of aviation Grahame-White staged spectacular flying displays.
The London Aerodrome became famous for a number of aviation ‘firsts’.
Air Races
The first Aerial Derby was
held here in 1912. This race
around London started and
finished at Hendon and was
watched by an estimated
500,000 spectators.
Claude Grahame-White
First Night Flight
The first night flying display was held at the London
Aerodrome on 6th July 1912. Aeroplanes illuminated
with electric lights bombarded a dummy warship.
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First UK Airmail
On the 9th September 1911 Gustav Hamel
carried the first official UK airmail flying a
Blériot XI from Hendon to Windsor.
First World War
During the First World War the London
Aerodrome was used as a base by the Royal
Naval Air Service (RNAS) to defend London
from zeppelin raids.
Grahame-White produced aircraft for the war.
His aircraft factory grew rapidly. The image
opposite shows the enormous factory complex
that was built here. The road running through the
centre is now called Aerodrome Road.
Grahame-White employed hundreds of workers
in a variety of roles including woodworking,
welding, sewing and doping.
Female workers applied dope to the aircraft fabric to
strengthen and tighten it.
Woodworking at the Grahame White factory
To accommodate his factory workers Claude Grahame-White built a self-contained housing
estate named ‘Aeroville’. Aeroville is still used as housing today.
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After the war, having commandeered the London Aerodrome for military purposes, the government
refused to return the site to Grahame-White, and ownership eventually passed to the newly formed
Royal Air Force (RAF). The aerodrome again became famous for staging spectacular air displays. RAF
Pageants became an annual event throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Their popularity grew and they
soon rivalled Wimbledon and Ascot as social events.
By the 1930s Hendon aerodrome boasted permanent grandstand seating
for 3000 people, a loud speaker system and a royal enclosure.
Second World War – RAF Hendon
During the Second World War RAF Hendon
was mainly used for transport duties and
flying dignitaries, such as Winston Churchill,
to and from London. A number of fighter
squadron used the airfield for short periods,
but only No. 24 Squadron was based here
throughout the war.
Hendon had three runways that crossed one another. These
runways were removed in 1969 but Lanacre Avenue still follows
the line of two of them.
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Continuity and Change
Some of Hendon’s historic buildings survive today. How have these building changed over
time? Do they look the same? Have their uses changed?
Historic Hangars
These Hangars were originally built during the First World War and used to house aircraft. They were made into
one building when the RAF Museum was built. New buildings were added around them and they are now used to
display our aircraft collection.
The Officers’ Mess was built in 1917 by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). It was used as accommodation for RFC,
and later RAF, officers. Between the First and Second World Wars the Officers’ Mess briefly became a hotel.
Famous guests included the Royal Family. It is now owned by Middlesex University who use it for student
accommodation.
Local History at the RAF Museum
Find out about the London Aerodrome and Hendon’s links to aviation with our Local History
workshops. Students can examine archive images and historical artefacts, learn about the people
that lived and worked here, or take a tour of significant sites in the area.
To book a workshop just give us a call on 020 8358 4896 or email [email protected]
Any other queries?
Please contact us on 020 8358 4896