Edgware flying sites
Note: This map only gives the position of Edgware within the UK.
EDGWARE see also STAG LANE
EDGWARE: Early experimental flying site
Location: ?
Period of operation: 1909 to 1910?
NOTES: In his excellent book RAF Hendon Andrew Renwick states: “In 1908 Helmuth Paul Martin and George Harris Handasyde began work on their monoplane at the Welsh Harp, close to Handasyde’s home in Cricklewood. (My note: See also OLD WELSH HARP). Attempts to fly were made near Edgware before they moved to Brooklands in 1910.”
EDGWARE: Military Landing Ground / aerodrome and also civil aerodrome
Military users: RFC/RAF (Royal Flying Corps / Royal Air Force)
39 [Home Defence Sqdn] (1916 to 1918) (Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, B.E.12 & S.E.5 types)
Note: Later Bristol F2B. Earlier it appears they also flew one example of the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8
44 [Home Defence Sqdn] (1917 to 1918) (Sopwith Camels)
RAF Training Squadron Station (1918)
Civil operator: London & Provincial (1916 to 1918)
Location: Without too much doubt, probably later STAG LANE?
Period of operation: 1916 to 1918
Site area: As NLG (Night Landing Ground) 83 acres 841 x 750
(Later expanded to 140 acres)
NOTES: Trying to unearth details of this location has been a long drawn out process - a snippet here, snippet there - found over twenty years. I find this to be quite extraordinary for a military airfield situated so close to London. And indeed, as you can see, I am not even confident as to where it was located. Any advice will be most welcome.
If you drive through Edgware today it will probably seem almost incredible that this area was entirely a rural landscape until urban sprawl encroached in the 1920s and 30s. This development of the area did of course coincide with the arrival of the Northern Line 'underground' extension.
EDGWARE: Temporary aerodrome
Operated by: Cornwall Aviation Company
Period of operation: Visits during 1928, 1929 and 1930
NOTES: The Cornwall Aviation Company were primarily concerned with giving 'joy-rides' with one, two or three aeroplanes available depending on the amount of business they expected to attract. They would also perform 'stunt flying' such as wing-walking in order to spark interest.
It is of course tempting to imagine they might have used the ex-WW1 site. But did they? Any advice will be most welcome.
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