Waddon
WADDON: Military WW1 aerodrome later an “official” London airport, and later part of CROYDON airport.
(Aka BEDDINGTON and WALLINGTON)
Note: This picture was obtained from Google Earth ©
NOTE: Probably pretty much forgotten today, WADDON was one of several WW1 aerodromes selected to counter the 'Zeppelin' airship bombing offensive from 1915. Part of the Royal Flying Corps Home Defence arrangement in the London and Home Counties, although the RNAS, (Royal Naval Air Service), were mostly involved in the defence of the U.K.
The history becomes rather complex in that this aerodrome was also referred to as BEDDINGTON, CROYDON and sometimes WALLINGTON. Timber and canvas Bessoneaux hangars were originally quickly constructed to accept the first aircraft arriving. These being, it appears, Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c types arriving in 1916 at BEDDINGTON. The B.E.2c had a maximum ceiling of around 10,000ft and the German airships could cruise at 12,000ft, so it was, in the early days, a pretty hopeless task to try and intercept them. Also, the armaments the B.E.2c carried, were very indequate too.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: The second and fourth items were published in Flight magazine on the 21st October 1920.
Note: The two aircraft in the seventh item are G-EAPK a BAT FK.26 and G-EAUF an Airco DH.18A. The air to air picture of Lindbergh arriving at CROYDON was taken on the 29th May 1927.
Note: The photo of a Westland type taxying across from WADDON to CROYDON was published in Flight magazine on the 3rd March 1921.
Note: This is a copy of a Royal Aero Club official programme, for an air race from Waddon scheduled for Monday, 7th August, 1922.
Operated by: 1918 Cubbitt Ltd (Holland, Hannen & Cubitt Ltd)
Also National Aircraft Factory No.1
In 1919 National Aircraft Depot for the disposal of surplus military machines
Location: W of the Purley Way, about 1.5nm SW of Croydon town centre
NOTES: Forced to close due to the redevelopment of CROYDON airport, which opened in early 1928.
It appears that before CROYDON airport was developed the airport was known as London Terminal Airport, Waddon, Croydon. This was on Plough Lane which then ran west of the Purley Way. The terminal was at the southern end of the later CROYDON airport and the National Aircraft Factory was on the north west side.
To make CROYDON airport the old WW1 BEDDINGTON aerodrome, just west of WADDON was also incorporated.
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