Hendon Collection

The Upside Down Dinner given by the Hendon Aviators to Bentfield Hucks and Gustav Hamel at the Royal Automobile Club on 16 January 1914

Woman outside Golders Green underground station, London. The bus, destination Hendon, carries an advertisement: You Can t Beat Harrods. 1921

Royal Air Force Display Poster, Hendon, showing biplanes flying in formation above the spectators. 1928

Royal Air Force Display Poster, Hendon, showing a two-propeller plane nosediving. 1937

Royal Air Force Display Poster, Hendon, showing a stylised biplane in flight. 1935

Royal Air Force Display Poster, Hendon, showing two pilots in flight, with other planes in the background. 1936

First airmail letter delivered, Windsor Castle
The first airmail letter ever to be delivered is handed to the Postmaster of Windsor, to whom it is addressed, on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle

Hendon Aerial Pageant
A poster advertising a Royal Air Force Aerial Pageant at The London Aerodrome at Hendon. The pictures depicts British bombers attacking a desert stronghold

Royal Air Force Display Poster, Hendon, showing a biplane against a stylised red, white and grey background. 1933

Records of first UK aerial mail service
Thepostmasters official handwrittenrecordsrelatingto thefirst UKaerialmail service from London to Windsor andWindsor to LondoninSeptember1911. 1911

International Air Rally Poster 1937
Poster, High Speed Thrills! International Air Rally, Lympne, 28-29 August. Spectacular RAF Hendon Acrobatics, Racing, Live Parachuting, Foreign Aces. Organised by the Cinque Ports Flying Club. 1937

Royal Air Force Display Poster, Hendon, showing a pilot in flying gear, gesturing towards three biplanes in flight. 1934

Royal Air Force Display Poster, Hendon, showing red and black planes in the air, with stylised red and black trails of smoke. 1932

Airmail postcards at Gamages, London
People at Gamages in Holborn, Central London, addressing postcards and posting them in the special London Aerial Postbox, in time for the first aerial mail service from Hendon to Windsor

Hendon Fire Brigade (later part of Middlesex FB)
In 1855 a fire brigade was established in Hendon, renamed the Hendon Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1866, and a manual fire engine was kept in a building near the church

Aerial view of Redhill Hospital, Hendon, Middlesex
An aerial view of Redhill Hospital, Hendon, Middlesex originally opened in 1927 as the Hendon Union infirmary. The older building (below centre) was originally the Hendon Union school, erected in 1859

RAF flying boats over Felixstowe in June 1935 on their ?
RAF flying boats over Felixstowe in June 1935 on their way to a fly-past at the RAF Display at Hendon. Clockwise from left: the first prototype Supermarine Stranraer, K3973; Short S14 Sarafand

Hendon Central Date: circa 1930

Royal Air Force display at Hendon
Crazy flying stunts at the Royal Air Force Display at Hendon. Date: 1933

Great North Road out of London, 1st July 1790 (colour litho)
XCF275041 Great North Road out of London, 1st July 1790 (colour litho) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Four patients at the Medical Centre, Hendon
Scene at the Metropolitan Police Medical Centre, Hendon, north west London, showing four patients in dressing gowns and pyjamas chatting in a hospital ward

Gustav Hamel arriving at Windsor with the airmail
The aviator Gustav Hamel arriving at Windsor from Hendon on the very first airmail flight. The first aerial mail service took place on 9 September 1911 from Hendon Aerodrome to Windsor

Gustav Hamels plane ready to leave Hendon for Windsor
Gustav Hamels aeroplane ready to leave Hendon Aerodrome for Windsor on the very first airmail flight. The first aerial mail service took place on 9 September 1911 from Hendon to Windsor

Sketch front cover: RAF display at Hendon airfield
Crowds watching an air display at Hendon airfield in the 1930s

Gustav Hamel posting an airmail letter
The aviator Gustav Hamel posting an airmail letter which he himself will transport by air to Windsor. The first aerial mail service took place on 9 September 1911 from Hendon to Windsor

Gustav Hamel signing receipt for mail, Hendon
The aviator Gustav Hamel in the cockpit of his aeroplane, signing the official receipt for the mail, just before setting out from Hendon Aerodrome to Windsor on the very first airmail flight

Gustav Hamel, 1889 - missing May 23, 1914. Pioneer British aviator. From The Year 1914 Illustrated
492435 Gustav Hamel, 1889 - missing May 23, 1914. Pioneer British aviator. From The Year 1914 Illustrated. ; Private Collection.

Start of the 1st Heat of the Aero Show Trophy Air-Race?
Start of the 1st Heat of the Aero Show Trophy Air-Race at Hendon in 1913 with M Vitry in the Foreground (Breguet) Date: 1913

1st Aerial Derby at Hendon in 1913

Avro Vulcan B. 2 XL318
Royal Air Force - Avro Vulcan B.2 XL318, of No.617 (Dambusters) Squadron, with an inert Blue Steel missile, at Andrews Air Force Base

Royal Air Force Supermarine Swift FR. 5 WK281
Royal Air Force Supermarine Swift FR.5 WK281. Built by Vickers Armstrong and delivered on 5 November 1956, WK281 joined No 79 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh

Percival Proctor II Z7197 / G-AKZN to RAF Museum Hendon in 1972. Date: late 1960s - early 1970s

Sunderland SR2 8 Map
Postcode Sector Map of Sunderland SR2 8

The Start of the Cross-Country Race at Hendon Aerial Derby Date: 1910s

Jules Nardini Sitting in His 50HP Deperdussin Monoplane ?
Jules Nardini Sitting in His 50HP Deperdussin Monoplane Aircraft Which He Flew in the Daily Mail Aeroplane Circuit of Britain in 1912 Date: 1912

Pilot at the J. L. Hall School of Flying at Hendon Avro T?
Pilot at the J.L. Hall School of Flying at Hendon Avro Type 500 and a Caudron Biplane Behind Date: 1913

Etrich Rumpler Taube in the UK Summer 1911 at Hendon, London Date: 1911

Hawker Audax
A Formation of Royal Airforce Audaxes of 2 Squadron Flying in the Air Pageant at Hendon with a Crowd of People Watching Date: 1934

Aeroplanes racing, Hendon Aerodrome, early 1900s

Aeroplanes racing at Hendon Aerodrome

Night flying at Hendon

Hendon Aerodrome flying at night early 1900s

Bristol Bolingbroke IVT L8756 - XD-E
Bristol Bolingbroke IVT L8756 / XD-E (msn 10001), at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon. Date: circa 2005

Boulton Paul Defiant F. I N1671 - D-EW
Boulton Paul Defiant F.I N1671 / D-EW, at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, on 30 December 1991. Date: 1991

Junkers Ju. 88R-1 8475M
Junkers Ju.88R-1 8475M (Werknummer 360043), at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, on 30 December 1991. Date: 1991

Messerschmitt Bf 110G 8479M
Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4/R-6 8479M (Werknummer 730301), at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, on 30 December 1991. Date: 1991

Fairey Battle Mk. I L5343
Fairey Battle Mk.I L5343, at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, on 30 December 1991. Date: 1991

Heinkel He. 111H 8471M
Heinkel He.111H-23 8471M (Werknummer 701152), at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, on 30 December 1991. Date: 1991

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"Hendon: A Historic Hub of Aviation Excellence" Step into the captivating world of aviation history at Hendon, a place that holds an esteemed position in the annals of flight. The Royal Air Force Display Poster from Hendon serves as a testament to its significance in showcasing the prowess and innovation of the RAF. The Hendon Aerial Pageant stands out as a remarkable event where aviation enthusiasts gathered to witness breathtaking displays of aerial acrobatics and cutting-edge aircraft technology. This extravaganza truly exemplified the spirit of adventure and daring that defined Hendon's legacy. Not only did Hendon host spectacular air shows, but it also played a vital role in shaping aviation milestones. The International Air Rally Poster from 1937 highlights how this location attracted aviators from around the globe, fostering international camaraderie and pushing boundaries in airborne exploration. Delving deeper into its historical importance, we discover records documenting Hendon's contribution to establishing the first UK aerial mail service. These pioneering efforts revolutionized communication by air, forever changing how we connect across vast distances. Airmail postcards at Gamages in London became tokens of this revolutionary era, not just about flying high; it also ensured safety on land with its dedicated fire brigade - later becoming part of Middlesex Fire Brigade. Their unwavering commitment protected both aircraft and personnel, reinforcing their crucial role within this vibrant aviation community. With each Royal Air Force Display Poster proudly displayed at Hendon, visitors are transported back to moments when dreams took flight against blue skies filled with awe-inspiring machines, and is here that history echoes through time, reminding us all of humanity's relentless pursuit for progress and our unyielding fascination with conquering new horizons. Come explore Hendon's rich heritage - an extraordinary tapestry woven with courage, innovation, and passion for flight - where legends were born amidst roaring engines and soaring wingspan.