Croydon Airport
About Croydon Airport
Croydon Airport was the United Kingdom's main international airport during the interwar period. It opened in 1920, located near Croydon, then part of Surrey, using a temporary terminal, hangars and offices on Plough Lane. A new permanent terminal in a Neoclassical style opened in 1928 on the 1925-built Purley Way. The airport handled more cargo, mail, and passengers than any other UK airport at the time. Innovations at the site included the world's first air traffic control, the first airport terminal and the world's first airport hotel. It was home to Britain's first national airline, Imperial Airways, founded through a government sponsored four-airline merger in 1924. During the Second World War the airport was named RAF Croydon as its role changed to that of a fighter airfield during the Battle of Britain; and in 1943 RAF Transport Command was founded at the site, which used the airport to transport thousands of troops into and out of Europe.
On the show · 3 mentions total
The name Croydon may mean the valley where the wild saffron grows.
from 555: No Such Thing As Catherine Of Croydon · read transcript
More facts about Croydon Airport
The distress call Mayday was invented at Croydon Airport, apparently by a pilot.
No Such Thing As Catherine Of Croydon · listen
Croydon Airport had 100,000 visitors a year who turned up just to watch the planes.
No Such Thing As Catherine Of Croydon · listen
Croydon Airport had a five-star restaurant up its viewing tower, and in 1928 it was the world's biggest airport.
452: No Such Thing As Lemming Atlantis · listen
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Coordinates: 51.3564, -0.1172