The tracks through the station were laid in 1906, 30 years before there was a station here. They were laid for the railway and not for the Underground. Central line services didn't start from here until November 1948 having been delayed due to the war.
The airfield which opened in 1915 is older than the RAF as the Royal Air Force did not come into existence until 1st April 1918.
This is the main entrance to the base. I think that is a spitfire on display but not sure.
Seeing the open gates at the other entrance I thought I would wander in and take a few photos. However a notice telling me that non pass holders would be arrested stopped me walking any further. All other photos were taken from the road through the fence!
The airfield first became operational in June 1915 when BE2c aircraft flew defensive patrols against Zeppelin raids. The BE2 was a single engine, two seater bi-plane which was flown by the Royal Flying Corps from 1912 until the end of WW1. The Officers' Mess built around 1920 is still in use as is one of the hangars. RAF Northolt was the first airbase to operate the Hurricane and during the Battle of Britain in WW2 it was home to a number of allied and British Hurricane and Spitfire squadrons, including a complete Polish Wing.
The British Forces Post Office moved to the airbase in 2008 as part of a reorganisation of services which involved the closure of RAF Bentley priory and RAF Uxbridge. By 2010 the RAF Central Band, the Queen's Colour squadron and various other units moved into new or refurbished facilities at Northolt. In more recent times RAF Northolt played a leading role in ensuring the safety of London during the 2012 Olympic Games. It was the base for Typhoon fast jets which formed part of the security plan for the Games.
On either side of the road are shops with the majority being takeaway food outlets.
How to say it nicely? The station and the area look very functional. The Bell Inn looks older than 1930. Sometimes it is very hard to guess the age of British buildings.
ReplyDeleteI think you have still a lot of tubes to do ! I like the Bell Inn !
ReplyDeleteI think it was fortunate there was a nice walk to be had nearby ;)
ReplyDeletewow imagine how much hard work went into laying those lines in the beginning!
ReplyDeleteGiven some recent political events in the UK I think the information about the Polish fighter pilots is rather ironic and very, very sad.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that the plane outside the base is a Hurricane - I used to know about that kind of thing as a lad!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Very fortuitous that your exploration finished at the Bell Inn. A handy spot after a tiring walk. Interesting commentary and pictures again.
ReplyDeleteVery ambitious travels and great post and photos ~ thanks for sharing all the history as well ~ ^_^
ReplyDeleteA SHUTTERBUG EXPLORES ~ Happy Week to you ~^_^
The Bell Inn is a pretty building with interesting history and I'm glad it will not be demolished.... I always wonder how far you walk on your explorations and here you said you were getting too far away from the station... for you I am sure that is quite a lot further than 'too far' would be for more ordinary (out-of-shape) mortals like me. When you turn this all into a book (and you know I think you should), I think you'll need to add that information )!!
ReplyDeleteLooks quite modern, and nice to see some leafy areas.
ReplyDeleteYour dedication to this project is to be commended. You really have detailed these many stations with great photos and commentary. I agree with Sallie that when you finish all the stops, on all the lines, you should see if it can be published as a book one day.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that it looks an inspiring place.Although your stroll through the woods was nice and the Inn is quaint. Fast food outlets doesn't say a lot about the community.
ReplyDeleteA mixture of styles and buildings.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing all the history as well
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