RAF Northolt

Following Louis Blériot's first flight across the English Channel in 1909, the British Army considered the necessity of defending the United Kingdom from a future air attack. By May 1910, Claude Grahame-White and other aviation pioneers were flying from the flat areas around Ruislip, although they soon sought an aerodrome for London, which was eventually built at Hendon. A proposal was made in 1912 for the area around where RAF Northolt now stands to be developed as "Harrow Aerodrome". The company established to develop the site was listed on the London Stock Exchange but the idea did not progress any further.{{cite book |last1=Bristow |first1=Mark |title=A History of Royal Air Force Northolt |date=2005 |publisher=No 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit, Royal Air Force |location=RAF Northolt, UK}}{{rp|13}}

The outbreak of the First World War necessitated a new aerodrome for the Royal Flying Corps. The Corps had received the Royal Warrant on 13 April 1912, whereupon Major Sefton Brancker of the War Office conducted aerial surveys in 1914 of Glebe Farm in Ickenham, and Hundred Acres Farm and Down Barnes Farm in Ruislip, looking for the most effective operating base for new squadrons. He settled on a site near Northolt Junction railway station; in January 1915 the government requisitioned the land. It is rumoured that the government official tasked with acquiring the land arrived at the site with his map upside down, leading to the government requisitioning and developing land on the wrong side of the railway line,{{rp|16}} including the old Hill Farm.Bowlt 1996, p.70

File:RAF Northolt aerial view 1917.jpg

Construction of the new aerodrome, to be named "RFC Military School, Ruislip", began in January 1915. It opened on 3 May 1915, becoming known as Northolt and home to No. 4 Reserve Aeroplane Squadron which relocated from Farnborough. Most early RAF airfields were named after the nearest railway station, in this case Northolt Junction, later named Northolt Halt and now South Ruislip station; so the airfield became "Northolt" despite being in neighbouring South Ruislip. In the same year the airfield was extended westwards, and aircraft began flying sorties in defence of London against Zeppelin raids. No. 18 Squadron was formed in the same month as Northolt and equipped with Bleriot Experimental biplanes, whose slow speed led to heavy losses in combat with the German Fliegertruppe.{{rp|16}}

In 1916, No. 43 Squadron was formed under the command of Major Sholto Douglas. Aircraft equipping the squadron included the Sopwith 1½ Strutter, built by the Fairey Aviation company, then in Hayes. The Strutter made its first test flight from Northolt in 1916 with Harry Hawker at the controls.{{rp|20}} Fairey conducted test flights at Northolt from 1917 until 1928 when the Air Ministry gave the company notice to vacate the aerodrome.Sherwood 1990, p. 22 Flights later resumed from the Great West Aerodrome owned by Fairey in Harmondsworth, which was eventually developed as Heathrow Airport.{{rp|32}} No. 43 Squadron went on to fly sorties over France from 17 January 1917, taking part in the Battle of Vimy Ridge between 4 and 8 April 1917.{{rp|21}}

No. 600 Squadron and No. 601 Squadron of the fledgling Royal Auxiliary Air Force were formed at Northolt in 1925 under the command of Squadron Leader Lord Edward Grosvenor. Both squadrons were deployed to RAF Hendon in 1927, although 600 Squadron returned in 1939. The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII and subsequently the Duke of Windsor, made his first flight in a Bristol F.2 Fighter from Northolt on 27 April 1929.{{rp|41}}

File:Dywizjon 303 3.jpg

Northolt became an active base during the Second World War for Royal Air Force and Polish Air Force squadrons in their defence of the United Kingdom. It was the first RAF station to operate the Hawker Hurricane, with No. 111 Squadron receiving the first four aircraft in December 1937,{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafnortholt/aboutus/history.cfm |title=RAF Northolt – History of RAF Northolt |year=2011 |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=18 April 2011}} and reaching its full complement by February 1938.Townsend Bickers 1990, p. 45 In the lead-up to war, the RAF implemented a policy of adding concrete runways to important airfields; by 1939 Northolt had a new {{Convert|800|by|50|yd|adj=on}} concrete runway.{{cite book|last1=Birtles |first1=Philip |title=Battle of Britain airfields |date=2010 |publisher=Midland |location=Hinckley |isbn=978-1-85780-328-0}}{{rp|37}} Later in 1939 RAF Hendon became one of its satellite airfields.{{rp|58}} Polish pilots were taught English at RAF Uxbridge, where they also practised formation flying using tricycles with radios, compasses and speed indicators.{{rp|58}}

On 15 September 1940 during the Battle of Britain, No. 1 Squadron RCAF, No. 229 Squadron, No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron, No. 504 Squadron, and part of No. 264 Squadron were based at the station, all under the control of No. 11 Group RAF, headquartered at RAF Uxbridge. All flew Hawker Hurricanes except No. 264 Squadron's contingent, which operated the Boulton Paul Defiant. During the Battle of Britain, Polish 303 Squadron was the highest scoring Hurricane Sqd in Fighter Command, with its Czech pilot Sergeant Josef František becoming the fourth highest scoring RAF "ace" during the battle. The Luftwaffe bombed the airfield in August 1940 as well as other sector airfields in the area, including Biggin Hill, Hornchurch and North Weald, as part of a concentrated effort against the airfields and sector stations of No. 11 Group RAF. A total of 4,000 bombs were recorded as falling within two miles (3 km) of the airfield over a fifteen-month period, although only two were recorded as hitting the airfield itself.Edwards 1987, p. 69 Under the leadership of the station commander, Group Captain Stanley Vincent, the airfield was camouflaged to resemble civil housing. Vincent had been concerned that camouflaging the airfield as open land would look too suspicious from the air; Northolt was surrounded by housing and so a large open area would draw attention. A fake stream was painted across the main runway while the hangars were decorated to look like houses and gardens.Bowlt 1994, p. 132 The result was so effective that pilots flying to Northolt from other airfields often struggled to find it.{{rp|52}}

File:Polish War Memorial, Northolt - geograph.org.uk - 18610.jpg near RAF Northolt]]

Thirty Allied airmen including servicemen from Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, New Zealand, Poland and the United Kingdom were killed flying from RAF Northolt during the Battle of Britain, of whom ten were Polish.{{rp|7}} The Polish War Memorial dedicated to all Polish airmen who lost their lives during the Second World War, stands near the southeastern corner of the airfield. Its name is also commemorated at the adjacent eponymous junction on Western Avenue.{{cite web |url=http://www.ealing.gov.uk/info/200622/historic_buildings/800/war_memorials/3 |title=Polish War Memorial |publisher=London Borough of Ealing |access-date=21 February 2012}}

Squadrons based at RAF Northolt during the battle shot down a total of 148 Luftwaffe aircraft and damaged 52. A further 25 were claimed by pilots and recorded as "probables".{{rp|67}} Group Captain Vincent became one of the few RAF airmen to shoot down an enemy aircraft in both World Wars. He was a long-serving RAF man who had claimed an aerial victory over the Western Front in the First World War. By the time of the Battle of Britain he was too old for operational flying. Nevertheless, he took to the skies during one raid and brought down a German aircraft.{{rp|50–51}}

File:AVM Stanley F Vincent.jpg brought down a German aircraft while serving as station commander in 1940]]

After the Battle of Britain, the station remained a base for daytime fighter operations, with No. 302 Polish Fighter Squadron, No. 229 Squadron and No. 615 Squadron all arriving before 3 November 1940. No. 308 Polish Fighter Squadron and No. 306 Polish Fighter Squadron later joined No. 303 during 1941 to form the No. 1 Polish Fighter Wing. Polish Fighter Squadrons based at Northolt in 1942 took part in Operation Jubilee (the raid on Dieppe) on 19 August alongside Nos. 302 and 308 from nearby RAF Heston. Reconnaissance squadrons No. 16 Squadron and No. 140 Squadron operating Supermarine Spitfires and de Havilland Mosquitos moved to Northolt in 1944. No. 69 Squadron with their Vickers Wellingtons modified for photographic reconnaissance arrived later. All three reconnaissance squadrons were combined to form No. 34 (PR) Wing.{{rp|72}}

In 1943, the station became the first to fly sorties using Supermarine Spitfires (Mk IXs) in German airspace in support of bomber operations.{{cite web |url=http://on-target-aviation.com/RAF%20Northolt%2008.html |title=RAF Northolt Visit – 22nd October 2008 |last1=Thompson| first1=Pete |year=2008 |publisher=On Target Aviation |access-date=13 March 2011}} On 25 March, RAF Ferry Command became RAF Transport Command and thereafter used Northolt as a London base for the transfer of new aircraft from factories to airfields. Runway 26/08 was extended in February that year to accommodate the larger transport aircraft required by the Command. Northolt continued as a Sector Fighter Station until February 1944. As a result of this and the new larger runway, the smaller 02/20 runway closed in April 1944.{{rp|71–72}}

RAF Northolt became home to Prime Minister Winston Churchill's personal aircraft, a modified Douglas C-54 Skymaster, in June 1944. The aircraft was used to fly him to meetings with other Allied leaders.{{rp|74}} Between 20 and 21 July 1944, a converted Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber named "Marco Polo" made the first non-stop intercontinental flight, flying from London to Washington, DC, then returning to Northolt from La Guardia Airport within 18 hours. In November of the same year, an Avro York flew non-stop from Northolt to Cairo in 10 hours and 25 minutes. A new runway, 31/13, was surveyed the following month and built in March 1946.{{rp|75}}

Starting in 1946 the airfield was used by civil aviation during the construction of nearby Heathrow Airport. During this period, Northolt became a major base for British European Airways (BEA), which used the nearby Bourne School as its headquarters.{{rp|77}} Other airlines including Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Scandinavian Airlines System and Swissair used the airfield for scheduled services across Europe.{{rp|77}}

In December 1946, after taking off during a heavy snowstorm, a Douglas Dakota 3 operated by Railway Air Services, flying from Northolt to Glasgow, crashed onto the roof of a house in South Ruislip. All the crew and passengers escaped unharmed by climbing through the loft of the house and leaving via the front door.{{rp|79}} No residents were injured, even though the owner of the house next door was standing at her front gate when the aircraft came down. The owners of the house had not moved in at the time of the crash as they were due to be married a few days later. The house was later named "Dakota Rest", and still stands today.Bowlt 1994, pp. 130–132

In June 1951, BEA introduced helicopter services to Hay Mills Rotor Station in Birmingham and to London Heathrow, operated by a pair of Westland-Sikorsky S51s.{{cite magazine |title=Aviation News |magazine=Flight |date=8 June 1951 |page=683 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1951/1951%20-%201096.html}}{{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=Ian |title=Heathrow: From Tents to Terminal 5 |date=2014 |publisher=Amberley Publishing |isbn=978-1445633893}}

File:RAF Northolt hangar.JPG film Octopussy]]

During 1952 a total of 50,000 air movements were recorded, making the airfield the busiest in Europe. By then the only scheduled airlines were BEA and Aer Lingus. The RAF maintained a presence throughout its use by civil airlines, making it the longest continuously used airfield in the history of the Royal Air Force.{{rp|79}} En route from Northolt to Dublin, on 10 January 1952, a civil Douglas C-47 Skytrain operated by Aer Lingus and named "St. Kevin" flew into an area of extreme turbulence caused by a mountain wave generated by Snowdon. As a result, the plane crashed into a peat bog near Llyn Gwynant in Snowdonia, killing all 20 passengers and three crew in the company's first fatal accident."[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19520110-0 10 January 1952 Douglas C-47B-35-DK Dakota 3]." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 3 February 2009.

Civil flights ceased when the central area at Heathrow opened in 1954 with Northolt reverting to sole military use in May that year.{{rp|80}} Northolt's operations became constrained by its proximity to the new much larger civil airport at Heathrow.{{rp|90}} No. 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit (AIDU) moved to the station in 1956 from the neighbouring RAF West Ruislip station. The unit had been established in 1953 to provide information on airfields, communications and navigational aids for the benefit of aircraft safety. AIDU was originally under the command of RAF Transport Command but this was moved to Home Command in March 1957.{{rp|85}}

On 1 June 1960, an Avro Anson aircraft suffered engine failure soon after take-off from Northolt and crash-landed on top of the nearby Express Dairies plant in South Ruislip. There were no fatalities.{{rp|90}} Later that year, on 25 October, a Pan Am Boeing 707, heading for Heathrow, mistakenly landed at Northolt with forty-one passengers on board.{{cite web |url=http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1001607/ |title=Boeing 707-321, N725PA, Pan American World Airways (PA / PAA) |last1=Trussell |first1=George |date=25 October 1960 |publisher=George Trussell Collection |access-date=10 March 2011}}{{rp|89}} A Lufthansa Boeing 707 also attempted to land at the station on 28 April 1964 but was dissuaded by a red signal flare fired by personnel from Air Traffic Control. In the days before navigational aids such as instrument landing systems (ILS) and the global positioning system (GPS) were available, the letters NO (for Northolt) and LH (for Heathrow) were painted on two gasometers on the approach to each airfield, one at Southall for the approach to Heathrow's diagonal runway (coded 23L) and one at South Harrow for the approach to Northolt's runway (then coded 26), in an effort to prevent a recurrence of such errors.{{rp|90}} By the 1980s movements of privately owned aircraft, mainly corporate jets, outnumbered military aircraft. Civil flights were limited to 28 per day,{{cite web |url=http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=16412 |title=RAF Northolt |date=17 May 2010 |publisher=London Borough of Hillingdon |access-date=8 March 2011 |archive-date=18 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318023623/http://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=16412 |url-status=dead }} with a maximum of 7,000 a year. This limit remained in force in 2008.{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/81211w0001.htm#column_WA10|title=House of Lords Written Answers: RAF Northolt |author=Baroness Taylor of Bolton |author-link=Baroness Taylor of Bolton |date=11 December 2008 |publisher=Hansard |access-date=21 November 2012}}

File:Spitfire in the Officers' Mess car park at RAF Northolt - geograph.org.uk - 726527.jpg

Northolt received its first gate guardian, a Spitfire F.Mk 22, in September 1963. Purchased from the RAF in 1969 for use in the film Battle of Britain, it was replaced by a Spitfire Mk XVI on 2 June 1970. This aircraft remained at the station until its removal on 8 September 1989 for restoration to full flying condition. The Kermit Weeks' Fantasy of Flight Museum in Polk City, Florida, purchased the aircraft whereupon the station received a fibreglass replica of a Spitfire Mk IX as a replacement.{{rp|108}}

Servicing of No. 32 Squadron passed from the RAF to the private company Fields Aviation Services in April 1985, then to Lovaux Aircraft Servicing in 1990. In 1991, the Station Flight was established, taking delivery of two Britten-Norman Islanders in December which entered service in January 1992.{{rp|99}} No. 32 Squadron celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 1991, at a time when personnel became involved in operations during the Gulf War. No. 38 Group RAF assumed control of RAF Northolt on 2 November 1992 following a wider restructuring of the RAF. On 16 December 1994, the new southside Operations Building opened, replacing the old Northolt Airport Terminal building. With the reorganisation of RAF Strike Command on 1 April 2000, No. 38 Group was disbanded and Northolt came under the control of No. 2 Group RAF.{{rp|102}}

In August 1996, a Spanish Learjet operated by Mar Aviation overshot runway 25 and collided with a van heading eastward on the A40 Western Avenue; the aircraft was carrying an actress bound for Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. The two pilots, the actress and van driver all suffered minor injuries.{{cite web |url=http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/uxbridge-history/2008/06/16/when-the-learjet-came-down-it-really-was-a-case-of-hold-the-front-page-113046-21082526/

|title=When the Learjet came down it really was a case of 'hold the front page'|author1=Longhurst, Chris |author2=Fisher, Barbara |author3=Berry, Chris |date=16 June 2008 |work=Uxbridge Gazette |access-date=15 September 2010}} The ensuing investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority's Air Accidents Investigation Branch found that both the crew's lack of understanding English and military air traffic control procedures had contributed significantly to the crash. Subsequently, after some thirty years of protracted consideration, an ILS was eventually fitted to Northolt's redefined Runway 25. In addition, aggregate-filled safety pits were installed at each end of the runway by 21 January 1998 to protect road users in the event of another business jet or military transport failing to stop or ascend before the end of the runway.{{rp|107}} The House of Commons Transport Select Committee considered the conversion of RAF Northolt to a possible offshoot of Heathrow Airport in the 1990s. While the existing runways would cause aircraft to cross the flight paths of those using Heathrow, new parallel runways were suggested.{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1998/jun/30/raf-northolt |title=RAF Northolt |date=30 June 1998 |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |access-date=15 September 2010}} These suggestions were opposed by then MP for Ruislip-Northwood, John Wilkinson, and eventually progressed no further.{{cite web |url=http://www.centreforaviation.com/news/2011/02/11/britains-endangered-airports/page1 |title=Britain's airports battle for passengers, airlines ... and survival |date=11 February 2011 |publisher=Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation |access-date=8 March 2011 |archive-date=14 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214094651/http://www.centreforaviation.com/news/2011/02/11/britains-endangered-airports/page1 |url-status=dead }}

File:ZE701 BAe 146 CC.2 (11329194625).jpg

Much media attention focused on the airfield when the body of Diana, Princess of Wales, arrived there from Villacoublay airfield, in Paris, France, after her death in a car crash in the city on 31 August 1997.{{cite web |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/The%20House%20of%20Windsor%20from%201952/DianaPrincessofWales/Death.aspx |title=Diana, Princess of Wales |publisher=The Royal Household |access-date=15 September 2010}} The Queen's Colour Squadron, then based at neighbouring RAF Uxbridge, acted as the bearer party, while the flight was met by the prime minister Tony Blair, the lord chamberlain, Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, secretary of state for defence, the RAF Northolt station commander and the RAF chaplain-in-chief.{{rp|92}}

Attention was high again in 2001 when Ronnie Biggs, the seriously ill, fugitive Great Train Robber, was flown from Brazil to the airfield to be arrested by waiting police officers. Biggs had escaped from custody in 1965; upon his return he was taken to Belmarsh Prison to complete the remainder of his sentence.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1316917.stm |title=Biggs sent back to jail |date=7 May 2001 |work=BBC News|access-date=8 May 2011}}

Since 1 June 1998, station commanders have served as aides-de-camp to the Queen.{{rp|93}} The station received the Freedom of Entry to the London Borough of Hillingdon on 11 May 2000. This allowed military personnel to march through the borough in full uniform, an honour granted by the council in light of 2000 being the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the 85th anniversary of the opening of RAF Northolt. The neighbouring RAF Uxbridge station had received the same honour in 1960.{{rp|121}}

The remains of a Hawker Hurricane flown by Flying Officer Ludwik Witold Paszkiewicz, the first pilot in No. 303 Squadron to shoot down an enemy aircraft, were donated to the station in June 2008. During the Battle of Britain, Paszkiewicz became a flying ace and received the Distinguished Flying Cross after shooting down six aircraft. He was killed in action over Borough Green in Kent on 27 September 1940.{{cite news |title=Hurricane Mk1 No L1696 back at RAF Northolt |first=Chris |last=Longhurst |url=http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/uxbridge-history/2008/06/16/hurricane-mk1-no-l1696-back-at-raf-northolt-113046-21082933/ |newspaper=Uxbridge Gazette |date=16 June 2008 |access-date=8 March 2011}} No. 303 Squadron recorded its 100th kill less than a month after commencing operations.{{cite web |url=http://www.theartsdesk.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1755:bloody-foreigners-untold-battle-of-britain-c4&Itemid=31 |title=Bloody Foreigners: The Untold Battle of Britain, Channel 4 |last1=Sweeting |first1=Adam |publisher=The Arts Desk |access-date=13 March 2011}} Polish pilot Squadron Leader Franciszek Kornicki, who saw wartime service at RAF Northolt, was reunited with the Supermarine Spitfire he had flown at a special ceremony in September 2010.{{cite news|title=Battle of Britain veteran Franciszek Kornicki reunited with spitfire at RAF Northolt |url=http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/battle/8405178.Battle_of_Britain_veteran_reunited_with_spitfire/ |newspaper=Hillingdon Times |date=21 September 2010 |access-date=8 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309035033/http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/battle/8405178.Battle_of_Britain_veteran_reunited_with_spitfire/ |archive-date=9 March 2012 }}

An additional memorial to British, Polish, Australian and New Zealand aircrew killed during the Battle of Britain was unveiled in September 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.coulonstone.com/cs/default.asp?title=memorials&contentID=16 |title=Memorials |year=2012 |publisher=Coulon Stone |access-date=21 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302200224/http://www.coulonstone.com/cs/default.asp?title=memorials&contentID=16 |archive-date=2 March 2012 }} In October that year, the hangar which had housed Churchill's personal aircraft, the former Squadron Watch office, and the Operations Block were given Grade II listed building status.{{cite web |url=http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/7521.aspx |title=Key buildings at RAF Northolt listed |date=28 October 2010 |publisher=Department for Culture, Media and Sport |access-date=7 March 2011}} The Operations Block was a prototype of the "Dowding system", which facilitated the chain of command's issuance of orders for the interception of enemy aircraft and a scheme used for the first time during the Battle of Britain. Prior to the listing, the block was renamed the Sir Keith Park Building on 20 September in honour of the former No. 11 Group RAF commander who had also served as station commander at Northolt between 1931 and 1932.{{cite news |title=Sir Keith Park Building formally opens at RAF Northolt |url=http://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/localnews/8402642.Sir_Keith_Park_Building_formally_opens/?ref=rss |newspaper=Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times |date=20 September 2010 |access-date=2 June 2011}} RAF Northolt is the only airfield used in the Battle of Britain still operated by the RAF.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/sep/08/comment.secondworldwar |title=It was both the RAF and the Navy who halted the German invasion |last=Bristow |first=Mark |date=8 September 2006 |department=Comment is free |work=The Guardian|access-date=22 July 2011}}

File:Aerial view of RAF Station Northolt.jpg

In January 2012 it was reported that the future of the station was under review by the Ministry of Defence as part of efforts to reduce defence spending.{{cite news |title=Northolt: RAF's celebrated airfield 'may be sold to property developers' |last1=Hough |first1=Andrew |last2=Harding |first2=Thomas |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9039675/Northolt-RAFs-celebrated-airfield-may-be-sold-to-property-developers.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9039675/Northolt-RAFs-celebrated-airfield-may-be-sold-to-property-developers.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=25 January 2012 |access-date=21 February 2012}}{{cbignore}} A proposed use has been as a satellite of Heathrow Airport, although a Ministry of Defence spokesman described that as unlikely.{{cite news |title=RAF Northolt may be sold by MoD to raise funds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16741144 |newspaper=BBC News |date=26 January 2012 |access-date=21 February 2012}}

Four Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft arrived at the station from RAF Coningsby on 2 May 2012 to take part in a security exercise as part of preparations for the 2012 Summer Olympics. During the Games, the aircraft were deployed to the station to provide air superiority protection for London, in conjunction with other security measures by the British Armed Forces.{{cite news |title=RAF Typhoon jets arrive in London to test Olympic security |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17922490 |newspaper=BBC News |date=2 May 2012 |access-date=2 May 2012}} The presence of the aircraft during the Olympics became the first time fighter aircraft had been stationed at RAF Northolt since the Second World War.{{cite news |title=RAF Typhoon jets arrive in London to test Olympic security |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/raf-typhoons-arrive-in-london-for-olympics-815835 |last=Evans |first=Natalie |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=2 May 2012 |access-date=3 May 2012}} The Typhoons left Northolt on 16 August following the conclusion of the Olympics.{{cite news |title=Olympic security Typhoons leave Northolt |url=http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2012/08/16/olympic-security-typhoons-leave-northolt-113046-31635425/ |last=Hayes |first=Alan |newspaper=Uxbridge Gazette |date=16 August 2012 |access-date=31 March 2013}}

The overnight base of the London Air Ambulance moved to RAF Northolt from Denham Aerodrome in February 2013.{{cite news |title=Air Ambulance moves to RAF Northolt |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/air-ambulance-moves-to-raf-northolt-8503361.html |newspaper=Evening Standard |date=20 February 2013 |access-date=11 April 2013}} The flying time from the station to its daytime base at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel is three minutes shorter than from Denham, which also provides savings for the Air Ambulance charity.{{cite news |title=Air Ambulance moves to RAF Northolt |last=Drewett |first=Zoe |url=http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2013/02/19/air-ambulance-moves-to-raf-northolt-113046-32837717/ |newspaper=Uxbridge Gazette |date=19 February 2013 |access-date=11 April 2013}}

In April 2013 the Ministry of Defence announced a proposal to increase the number of private flights from 7,000 to 12,000 per year as part of plans to increase the income generated by the airfield. The number of flights would be limited to 40 per day, and the increase would be phased in over three years to 2016.{{cite news |title=Commercial flights increase proposed for RAF Northolt |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22351621 |newspaper=BBC News |date=30 April 2013 |access-date=10 June 2013}}

On 13 September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II's coffin arrived at Northolt from Edinburgh Airport, after which it was taken by road to Buckingham Palace. The flight was welcomed by a party including the Prime Minister Liz Truss and the Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace. An RAF bearer party formed by The Queen's Colour Squadron transferred the coffin from the aircraft to the hearse.{{Cite web |first1=Miriam|last1=Burrell |first2=William |last2=Mata|first3=Sami|last3=Quadri |date=13 September 2022 |title=Queen Elizabeth's coffin arrives in London at RAF Northolt |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/queen-elizabeth-death-live-updates-king-charles-london-procession-route-b1025203.html |access-date=13 September 2022 |website=Evening Standard}}

File:RAF Northolt station entrance.JPG

The Ministry of Defence launched Project MoDEL (Ministry of Defence Estates London) in 2006 to consolidate many of its London-based operations at RAF Northolt. Under the project, RAF Bentley Priory,{{cite news |title=Battle of Britain RAF base closed |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7428386.stm |newspaper=BBC News |date=30 May 2008 |access-date=30 May 2011}} RAF Uxbridge,{{Cite news |title=Farewell to RAF Uxbridge |url=http://www.globalaviationresource.com/reports/2010/uxbridge.php |newspaper=Global Aviation Resource |date=6 April 2010 |access-date=21 November 2012}} RAF West Ruislip,{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=39539 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805065244/http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=39539 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2012 |title=Eye on the fleet |date=28 September 2006 |publisher=Navy News Service |access-date=5 March 2011}} RAF Eastcote{{cite web |url=http://www.vsmestates.co.uk/schemes_eastcote.htm |title=RAF Eastcote |publisher=VSM Estates |access-date=14 September 2010}} and the Inglis Barracks in Mill Hill were all closed between 2006 and 2010 with any remaining units transferring to Northolt. The Air Historical Branch, originally established in 1919 to provide a record of air activity during the First World War, was also relocated to RAF Northolt from RAF Bentley Priory in 2008 as part of this project.{{cite news |title=Closing ceremony for Bentley Priory |first=Nadia |last=Sarbout |url=http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/1566901.closing_ceremony_for_bentley_priory/ |newspaper=Harrow Times |date=24 July 2007 |access-date=9 March 2011}} As a result, the station has been extensively redeveloped with new facilities to support these operations.{{cite web |url=http://www.vsmestates.co.uk/schemes_northolt.htm |title=RAF Northolt |publisher=VSM Estates|access-date=14 September 2010}}

The statue, Letter from Home, of a First World War soldier reading a letter was moved from outside Inglis Barracks in Mill Hill to RAF Northolt in June 2007. It is a replica of the statue at Paddington Station and was first unveiled in 1982.{{cite news |title=First posting for Northolt |first=Rachel |last=Sharp |url=http://www.hillingdontimes.co.uk/news/1486414.first_posting_for_northolt/ |newspaper=Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times |date=20 June 2007 |access-date=8 June 2011}} Following the relocation of the British Forces Post Office and Defence Courier Service from Mill Hill,{{cite web |url=http://barnet.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s8409/ |title=H/04080/12 |date=2012 |publisher=London Borough of Barnet |access-date=22 August 2018 |quote=Phase 1 falls on land that was previously used by the Ministry of Defence as operational military barracks accommodating the headquarters of the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) and Defence Courier Service (DCS). It is now predominantly vacant with all former buildings and structures demolished and removed. ... The activities from Inglis Barracks were transferred to RAF Northolt and the base vacated in 2008}} a new headquarters and main sorting facility were built for their use which opened in November 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.bfpo.mod.uk/aboutbfpo.htm |title=History of the BFPO |date=5 January 2011 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=30 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330073756/http://www.bfpo.mod.uk/aboutbfpo.htm |archive-date=30 March 2010 }} New hangar facilities for the use of No. 32 Squadron were also constructed, along with new personnel accommodation.{{cite web |url=http://www.mjncolston.com/projects/view/113 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129040329/http://www.mjncolston.com/projects/view/113 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 January 2013 |title=RAF Northolt, Middlesex |year=2009 |publisher=MJN Colston |access-date=21 November 2012 }}

The original 1920s Officers' Mess was refurbished as part of the work,{{cite news |title=Project MoDEL completed at Northolt |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EstateAndEnvironment/ProjectModelCompletedAtNortholt.htm |newspaper=Estate and Environment |date=19 March 2012 |access-date=21 November 2012}} which also saw the relocation of the replica Supermarine Spitfire gate guardian to the passenger terminal, and the unveiling of a new replica Hawker Hurricane gate guardian near the eastern station entrance in September 2010, commemorating the aircrew based at Northolt who had fought in the Battle of Britain.{{cite news |title=RAF Northolt unveils their new Hurricane Gate guardian |first=Andrew |last=Gray |url=http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-videos-pics/west-london-picture-galleries/2010/09/22/raf-northolt-unveils-their-new-hurricane-gate-guardian-113046-27320262/ |newspaper=Uxbridge Gazette |date=22 September 2010 |access-date=20 April 2011}}

Upon the closure of RAF Uxbridge, control of the Battle of Britain Bunker passed to RAF Northolt to allow continued public visits.{{Cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafnortholt/newsweather/index.cfm?storyid=237E237C-5056-A318-A8414AA43AE12B42 |title=Refurbished Spitfire Gate Guardian Unveiled at 11 Group Bunker |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=6 June 2011}} In December 2010 it was agreed that the South Hillingdon branch of the St. John Ambulance service would move from its existing base in RAF Uxbridge to new premises at Northolt.{{Cite news |title=New base for St John ambulance after our appeal |last=Coombs |first=Dan |newspaper=Uxbridge Gazette |date=8 December 2010 |url=http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2010/12/08/new-base-for-st-john-ambulance-after-our-appeal-113046-27784776/ |access-date=8 June 2011}}

The station's new police dog section, featuring kennels and a quarantine building, opened in February 2012, marking the completion of building work.{{cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EstateAndEnvironment/RafNortholtThePlaceToBe.htm |title=RAF Northolt – the place to be |date=12 April 2012 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=27 May 2012}}

In October 2018, a £23 million contract to resurface Northolt's runway was awarded to Lagan Aviation & Infrastructure as the main contractor, and Mott MacDonald in a support role.{{Cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/contract-awarded-to-resurface-raf-northolt-runway|title=Contract awarded to resurface RAF Northolt runway|date=25 October 2018|work=GOV.UK|access-date=29 October 2018|publisher=Ministry of Defence and Defence Infrastructure Organisation}}

The runway closed and work began on 15 April 2019. No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron fixed wing flight relocated to RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, whilst civilian aircraft used alternative civilian airports. Helicopters continued to operate from Northolt during the construction work.{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2019-01-14/208184|title=RAF Northolt: Repairs and Maintenance: Written question – 208184|last=Ellwood|first=Tobias|date=21 January 2019|website=UK Parliament|access-date=27 January 2018}}
– {{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2019-03-05/228557|title=RAF Northolt: Repairs and Maintenance: Written question – 228557|last=Ellwood|first=Tobias|date=12 March 2019|website=UK Parliament|access-date=12 March 2019}}
– {{Cite web|url=https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/2019/04/15/dio-starts-work-on-northolt-runway-resurfacing/|title=DIO starts work on Northolt runway resurfacing|last=Adekoyejo|first=Clement|date=15 April 2019|website=GOV.UK|publisher=Ministry of Defence and Defence Infrastructure Organisation|access-date=22 April 2019}} The first landing on the resurfaced runway was on 9 October 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/RAFNortholt/status/1181920103555878912|title=Video footage first landing|date=9 October 2019|access-date=21 November 2019|publisher=RAF Northolt|website=Twitter}} The runway underwent testing as part of the recommissioning process before officially reopening on 1 November 2019 with commercial operations scheduled to resume on 11 November 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/raf-northolt-reopens-following-runway-renovation-462033/|title=RAF Northolt reopens following runway renovation|date=6 November 2019|access-date=21 November 2019|website=Flight Global}}

The following flying and notable non-flying units based at RAF Northolt:{{Cite web |title=RAF Northolt – Who's Based Here |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-northolt/ |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=Royal Air Force |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |title=11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment RLC |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-logistic-corps/rlc-regular-units/11-eod-search-regiment-rlc/ |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=British Army}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=RAF Northolt – British Forces Post Office (BFPO) |url=https://des.mod.uk/locations/raf-northolt-bfpo/ |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=Defence Equipment & Support |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=13 March 2023 |title=Service Prosecuting Authority |url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/service-prosecuting-authority |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

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No. 1 Group (Air Combat)

• No. 600 (City of London) Squadron (Royal Auxiliary Air Force)

No. 2 Group (Air Combat Support)

• Air Mobility Force
• No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron – Envoy IV CC1
• Combat and Readiness Force
• No. 2 Force Protection Wing
• No. 63 Squadron (King's Colour Squadron) RAF Regiment

• RAF Music Services
• Headquarters RAF Music Services
• Central Band of the RAF
• Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment

Other

• No. 601 (County of London) Squadron (Royal Auxiliary Air Force)
• RAF Centre for Air Power Studies
• Air Historical Branch

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Royal Logistic Corps

• 29 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Group
• 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment
• 621 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron

Defence Intelligence

• Director of Cyber Intelligence and Information Integration
• Joint Forces Intelligence Group (JFIG)
• No. 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit (AIDU)

• British Forces Post Office

• Service Prosecution Authority

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The station is organised into two wings, with a number of lodger units. Within the Operations Wing, the station houses No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAF, and the Comms Fleet Force Headquarters.{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafnortholt/aboutus/who_here.cfm |title=RAF Northolt – Who is based here? |year=2012 |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=7 July 2012}} No. 32 Squadron currently flies two Dassault Falcon 900LX (known as the Envoy IV CC1 in RAF service).{{Cite web |date=1 August 2022 |title=Royal Air Force's newest aircraft fleet reaches full-service capability |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/royal-air-forces-newest-aircraft-fleet-reaches-full-service-capability/ |access-date=1 August 2022 |website=Royal Air Force |language=en-gb}}

The Support Wing of the station incorporates the Personnel Management Squadron, the Estates Management Squadron, the Station Management Squadron, the Force Development Squadron, Media and Communications, the Finance Department and Safety, Health and Environmental Protection. Its Operations Squadron, the Air Movements Squadron and the Airfield Support Squadron make up the station's Operations Wing.

Lodger Units at Northolt include No. 600 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 621 EOD Squadron Royal Logistic Corps (part of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment RLC), No. 1 AIDU (Aeronautical Information Documents Unit), the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, the Service Prosecuting Authority, Naval Aeronautical Information Centre, the British Forces Post Office (BFPO), the Air Historical Branch and the Polish Records Office.

2Excel Aviation operate two Piper PA-31 Navajos under a civilian contract for the RAF following the sale in 2017 of RAF Northolt's Station Flight's two Britten-Norman Islander CC.2s.{{sfn|Cotter|2008|p=34}}{{cite web |last1=Warnes |first1=Alan |title=RAF Islanders Replaced by Civilian-Contracted Aircraft |url=http://warnesysworld.com/raf-islanders-replaced-civilian-contracted-aircraft/ |website=Warnesy's World of Military Aviation |access-date=6 July 2018 |date=12 August 2017 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806155902/http://warnesysworld.com/raf-islanders-replaced-civilian-contracted-aircraft/ |url-status=dead }} The Islanders had operated in electronic intelligence gathering, described by the RAF as performing "photographic mapping and light communications roles".{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafnortholt/aboutus/aircraft_equipment.cfm |title=Aircraft and Equipment |year=2011 |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=7 March 2011}}

Sources: Battle of Britain Airfields (1st Edition)Jefford 1988, p. 169 and A History of Royal Air Force Northolt{{rp|8–9}}

As it is near several film studios including those at Pinewood, the airfield has been used to represent outside locations in a number of feature films. Scenes of the James Bond films Goldfinger, Thunderball and Octopussy were all filmed at Northolt, and station personnel served as extras in the Octopussy hangar fly-through stunt scene.{{rp|101}} The mini-series The Winds of War and The Bill and the BBC shows Waking the Dead, Doctor Who and Red Dwarf have all used Northolt to represent various fictional airfields.{{rp|101}} In early 2010 the station was used for action scenes in the final episode of the conclusion of the BBC series of Ashes to Ashes.{{cite web |url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/the-iw-might-be-but-its-car-is-a-star-in-finale-32929.aspx |title=The IW might be **** but its car is a star in finale |last1=Neville |first1=Martin |date=21 May 2010 |work=Isle of Wight County Press |access-date=14 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523081713/http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/the-iw-might-be-but-its-car-is-a-star-in-finale-32929.aspx |archive-date=23 May 2010 }}

{{Spoken Wikipedia|RAF Northolt 2006-03-30.ogg|date=31 March 2006}}

• Kennedy Giant
• List of Battle of Britain airfields
• List of Royal Air Force stations

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Notes

: a {{note label|a|a|none}} Appearing in photograph, L-R: Sgt. Stasik, P/O Socha, P/O Kolecki, F/O Lipiński, F/O Horbaczewski, F/O Schmidt, F/Sgt Giermar (on the wing), Flt Lt Zumbach, Sqn Ldr Kołaczewski, Flt Lt Żak, F/Sgt Popek, F/O Bieńkowski, F/O Kłosin, F/O Kolubiński, F/Sgt Karczmarz, F/Sgt Sochacki, F/Sgt Wojciechowski and on the propeller F/O Głowacki.

Citations

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

Bibliography

• Bowlt, Eileen, M. (1994) Ruislip Past. London: Historical Publications {{ISBN|0-948667-29-X}}
• Bowlt, Eileen. M. (1996) Ickenham and Harefield Past. London: Historical Publications {{ISBN|0-948667-36-2}}
• Bristow, Mark. (2005) A History of Royal Air Force Northolt. RAF Northolt: No. 1 AIDU
• {{cite book |last1=Cotter |first1=Jarrod |title=Royal Air Force celebrating 90 years |year=2008 |publisher= Key Publishing |location= Stamford, UK|isbn=978-0-946219-11-7 }}
• Edwards, Ron. (1987) Eastcote: From Village to Suburb. Uxbridge: London Borough of Hillingdon {{ISBN|0-907869-09-2}}
• Jefford, C. G. (1988) Battle of Britain Airfields (1st ed.) Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing {{ISBN|1-85310-053-6}}
• Sherwood, Philip. (1990) The History of Heathrow. Uxbridge: London Borough of Hillingdon {{ISBN|0-907869-27-0}}
• Townsend Bickers, Richard. (1990) The Battle of Britain. London: Salamander Books {{ISBN|0-86101-477-4}}

• Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore. (1984) Action Stations: Military Airfields of Greater London v. 8. London: Patrick Stephens {{ISBN|0-85059-585-1}}
• Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore. (1986) Fight for the Sky: Stories of Wartime Fighter Pilots. London: Patrick Stephens {{ISBN|0-85059-749-8}}
• Halpenny, Bruce Barrymore. (2004) Fighter Pilots in World War II: True Stories of Frontline Air Combat. London: Leo Cooper {{ISBN|1-84415-065-8}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}} (military)
• {{Official website|www.londonvipairport.com}} (civilian)
• [https://www.aidu.mod.uk/aip/pdf/ad/EGWU-Northolt-Combined.pdf UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication – Northolt (EGWU)]

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