Plane trailing

11:20am Monday 30th April 2001

Those interested in Croydon Airport's history as a hub of international air travel will be able to view some fascinating archive material and artefacts when the dedicated visitor centre next opens its doors on Sunday, May 6.

Housed on the top two floors of the former control tower at Airport House, Purley Way the original terminal building the attraction is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month, from 11am to 4pm, and admission is free.

With the help of interactive displays, memorabilia and archive material, visitors are taken through the history of Croydon Airport, focusing on its heyday during the 1920s and 30s.

It was from here in 1930 that famous aviator Amy Johnson took off on her historic solo flight to Australia, and where she returned to a rapturous welcome following her success. Her flight bag will be on display.

Other items include: flight timetables, photographs, a pilot's map with route plotted, a photo showing the inside of a typical aircraft at meal time highlighting the luxurious in-flight service available and examples of air tickets from the period.

Children will be able to dress up as some of the famous personalities who passed through Croydon and raised its profile on the world stage. A timeline and globe illustrate the airport's position at the centre of world events and as the hub of a rapidly expanding network of routes across the British Empire.

A highlight is the top floor of the control tower, accessible by stairs, where the original radio room has been restored.

The airport became an RAF airfield during World War Two, reverting to civilian use in the post war years. Its status as an international hub went into rapid decline with the ascendancy of Heathrow as London's premier international airport as well as the rise of Gatwick. Its last flight departed in September 1959.

The visitor centre has been developed jointly by Croydon Council, the Croydon Airport Society, Westmead Business Group - owners of Airport House - and the South Wandle Regeneration Partnership. Further details on opening arrangements are available from the Croydon Tourist In-formation Centre on 020 8253 1009.

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