Radlett Aerodrome

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Radlett Aerodrome
Summary
Airport typeClosed
Serves Radlett, Hertfordshire
LocationHertfordshire
Built1929
In use1929–1970
Elevation  AMSL 230 ft / 70 m
Coordinates 51°43′N0°20′W / 51.71°N 0.33°W / 51.71; -0.33
Map
Hertfordshire UK location map.svg
Airplane silhouette.svg
Radlett Aerodrome
Location in Hertfordshire
Radlett Aerodrome
Runways
Direction LengthSurface
ftm
03/212,106642

Radlett Aerodrome was an airfield and Handley Page aircraft manufacturing plant in Hertfordshire, now owned by Eon Productions. Part of the airfield is now the M25 between junctions 21 (A405) and 22 (A1081).

Contents

History

In the 2010s plans for the future use of the site's land were the subject of lengthy dispute but in 2020 it was agreed that it would be redeveloped as a rail freight terminal. [1]

On 20 February 2024, the £34m sale of the remaining portion of the former Radlett Aerodrome to rail freight company Segro, which has faced opposition from campaigners, will undergo judicial review in the High Court to determine its lawfulness. [2]

Air Shows

Radlett Aerodrome hosted a number of significant post-war airshows.

Structure

The Handley Page works were situated on the east of the former A5, then a main road into London from the Midlands. The site is between the A5 road, to the west, and the Midland Main Line, to the east. The M25 motorway crosses the entire former site from east to west. [7]

Accidents

On 25 March 1937, whilst ferrying pilots to the Handley Page factory at Radlett aerodrome, to collect new Harrow bomber aircraft, Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow K6940 clipped an express train travelling at 60 mph, ripping the roof off the kitchen car. Fortunately there were no fatalities either on board the Harrow, or the train, but the aircraft crash-landed and was written off. [8]

References

  1. "Radlett Aerodrome rail freight depot fight dropped by council". BBC News. 9 July 2020.
  2. "Radlett Aerodrome sale worth £34m heads to High Court". BBC News. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  3. "Hansard, 18 February 1946, vol 419, c 771". api.parliament.uk (Hansard). Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  4. "British Civil Aviation in 1946". RAF Museum (.org). Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  5. "Radlett 1947" (PDF). Flight: 244–245. 4 September 1947. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  6. The Royal Aeronautical Society Garden Party 1947. Radlett: The Royal Aeronautical Society. 14 September 1947. p. 52. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  7. Hertfordshire County Council
  8. "25 March 1937, Handley Page Harrow MkI, K6940". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 17 October 2024.