Hendon Aerodrome

The primary reason for closure was urban encroachment. Located in a rapidly expanding suburb of North London, the airfield's short runways were unsuitable for modern, faster jet aircraft. There was no possibility of extension due to the surrounding residential and commercial development. The valuable land was subsequently re-purposed for housing and other public services.

The site of the former aerodrome has been completely redeveloped. The runways and most of the airfield are now occupied by the Grahame Park housing estate, which was built from the 1970s onwards. A significant portion of the site is home to the Royal Air Force Museum London, which opened in 1972 and preserves the area's rich aviation heritage, incorporating some of the original historic buildings like the Grahame-White Factory hangars. The Metropolitan Police College is also located on part of the former airfield grounds.

Hendon Aerodrome was one of the most important airfields in British aviation history. Established in 1911 by aviation pioneer Claude Grahame-White, it was a cradle of early flight in the UK.

Key historical points include:
- **Pioneering Aviation:** Hosted the first official UK airmail flight (1911), the first parachute jump from a powered aircraft in the UK (1914), and numerous early air races and public flying displays that captivated the nation.
- **World War I:** Served as a vital training school for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS), and was a centre for aircraft manufacturing and acceptance testing.
- **The RAF's 'Shop Window':** Between 1920 and 1937, Hendon was famous for hosting the annual RAF Display (or Pageant), a massive public event showcasing the latest aircraft and aerobatic skills, which attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators.
- **World War II:** While its role as a front-line fighter base was limited due to its short runways, it served as a transport and communications hub, notably for No. 111 Squadron flying Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain and for VIP transport throughout the war.
- **Post-War:** Its operational flying role steadily declined, though it was used by communications squadrons and the Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit. The last flying unit was disbanded in 1957, and the final flight departed from the aerodrome in 1968.

There are zero prospects for reopening. The site is now a densely populated urban area, fully developed with housing, a major national museum, and a police training college. The physical infrastructure of the airfield, including runways and taxiways, was completely removed decades ago, making any return to aviation operations impossible.