Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

NetLetter nr 1060 had a photo and short article regarding the Hounslow Aerodrome, U.K. which is in the vicinity of Heathrow (LHR).

On 25th August 1919 saw the start of the world's first scheduled air Service. The route was London (Hounslow) and Paris (Le Bourget). The flight, operated by Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited (AT&T), carried a single passenger and cargo that included Devonshire cream, jam, grouse and newspapers.

In our photo, a customs officer grants clearance to a pilot at Hounslow Heath Aerodrome about to embark on the world's first scheduled flight in 1919.

NetLetter nr 1257 has two articles referring to events at this airport.

In NetLetter nr 1266, Stuart Hyde sent us an article which included information and photos of the plaque erected on Hounslow Heath which commemorated the event of the first scheduled flight.

In NetLetter nr 1306, Stuart Hyde supplied some more information indicating that Canadian WW1 ace Billy Bishop was stationed at the Hounslow airport.

Here is a history of the airport.

Best remembered as Britain's first ever airport, Hounslow Heath's use as an airfield can be traced back to 1910 when a hangar was built in the early months of that year. Some civil flying subsequently resulted but Hounslow only really got into its stride after the start of World War One, when it became a military airfield for the Royal Flying Corps. It served as a base for fighters to counter the Zeppelin threat.

In May 1919 it was announced that the airfield would be reserved for civil aviation. On March 28th 1920, activity was switched to Croydon as a much more permanent airport to serve London. Today the area is an open public space, with no obvious traces of its excellent airfield past.

Here is a photo of the newly erected Hounslow Heath memorial stone, unveiled to mark the historic former airfield.