StoneRoad2013's photos with the keyword: RAF Hendon

Designed in 1939, with this example built in 1943, the Mark V Thompson Refueller was intended for civilian / RAF flying schools. snipped a bit out of the collections webpage --- Thompson Brothers of Bilston began building refuellers for the RAF in 1928, fitting tanks to the back of lorries. They introduced the three-wheel refueller in 1935, which quickly developed into the Mk V, able to carry 500 gallons (2,273 litres) of petrol and 50 gallons (227 litres) of oil. Refuellers were among the earliest specialist vehicles designed for use on airfields. The warning on the rear panel, instructs driver only. I'm surprised that there isn't a "no smoking" notice.

Hendon displays a famous piece of British lighter-than-air history. This is the sole remaining part from the scrapped R.33 airship - the forward section of the control gondola. R.33 was a rigid airship originally built in 1919 for the Royal Naval Air Service, it was was widely known as the "Pulham Pig" and famously survived a harrowing 30-hour drift over the North Sea in 1925. After some further adventures and tests, by 1928 she was scrapped due to the discovery of metal fatigue in the structural frames. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R33-class_airship

Traditionally, aircraft engines had to be started by swinging the propeller by hand, not the safest of activities ! A Captain Bentfield Hucks invented the Hucks Starter just after the First World War, this could start engines faster (as it didn't get tired) and with a lower risk of accidents. The Hucks Starter is built from a Ford Model T chassis, fitted with a power take-off, in the form of clutch-driven drive shaft powered by the vehicle's engine. This turned an aircraft propellor to start the aircraft's engine. Hucks Starters were widely used during the 1920s and 1930s and this example incorporates many original parts.

One of the many benches dotted around Hendon, this one is an interesting design. This is light enough in colour to be marble, but I think more likely to be polished concrete. . Would make a good site for a picnic - earlier, a family thought so ?

This sculpture of No.601 Squadron's emblem is just outside Hanger 6, as a tribute to the men from one of the first two Auxiliary Squadrons formed. They proved their worth in the Battle of Britain ... Based at RAF Hendon from 1927 to 1939 and again from 1945 to 1949, with the nickname 'The Millionaires' Squadron' coming from the elite background of some founding members.

WW1 - Sopwith 5F.1 "Dolphin" was developed quite late in WW1, did have some drawbacks, but did prove to be a formidable fighter with the right pilot. No complete examples survived, this was built with a number of original parts. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sopwith_Dolphin

Replica Albatros D.Va [I think it was airworthy in 2012] German WW1 Scout - produced in large numbers, but has various shortcomings and so outclassed by many of the Allied planes with which it fought. . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albatros_D.V

Named for the hump in the cowling covering the two Vickers machine guns. Notorious for the speed of right-hand turns when dog-fighting ... The pilots that flew this WW1 fighter had so many victories that the "Camel" was the highest scoring British fighter aircraft.

Phelon & Moore 3.5 bhp motorcycle. Built 1918[ish] - 497cc sidevalve single cylinder engine. Chain final drive, leading link girder forks with a friction damper. Use in WW1 included by dispatch riders and squadron messengers . note:- P&M also use the Panther marque which were well-known for large capacity singles, often used to haul sidecars - when the mentioned friction damper on the steering / front forks is very useful. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phelon_%26_Moore

Model T, 4x2 Utility "pick-up" - dated 1925 but in RFC colours Left hand drive light truck with open wooden rear body and partially enclosed cab with bench seat and no tops to the doors; nearside mounted spare wheel and pronounced mudguards each side linked by running boards; twin front headlamps and cab mounted oxy-acetylene lamps. In full running order following restoration by RAFM Friends team 2011-2012.

The Crossley light tender was the standard RFC personnel carrier, seating capacity was typically for eleven personnel - including the driver - and was powered by a four cylinder side-valve petrol engine. The Crossley light tender features a wood and metal body with canvas tilt, rear mounted petrol tank and foot board, forward tilting adjustable windscreen, acetylene headlamps, and a brass radiator with Crossley badge. Two spare wheels are mounted together at front offside. This example dates from 1918[ish] and was restored to full working order in July 2014. . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossley_20/25_HP

left - 20lb Cooper bomb & right - 20lb Hales Bomb - both High Explosive types. both dating from RFC / WW1 era, approx 1916

Royal Flying Corps recruitment posters tradesmen, some of which were reserved occupations. During WW1 certain occupations were "reserved" in that the man was doing work that others could not, and was considered vital to the war effort in some way. Normally, as such, they would be exempt from conscription - but some would be able to volunteer within their speciality eg Blacksmiths and therefore be doing "war work" and not become infantry. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserved_occupation

Laminating jig : for gluing layers of wood together under pressure applied by clamps, the resulting block would be carefully shaped into a propellor.

The original WW1-era switchgear & fuses ... Although this is disconnected, it is walled in for safety reasons - the blade switchgear of that era would have had live contacts without protective enclosures, and would have been relatively high voltage.

British Empire Michelin Trophy No 1, 1913; RAF Museum, London - a bronze sculpture representing Bellerophon taming the winged horse Pegasus. An Aviator is grasping the horse's mane ---

I need a wide-angle lens ! This is Short Sunderland MR Mk 5 - a flying boat patrol bomber, serving throughout WW2 - apparently nicknamed Flying Porcupine because of the large quantity of armaments carried. 749 of them were built between 1938 and 1946, with seven surviving - and one of those flew across the Atlantic to America in 1993, it remains in airworthy condition, but hasn't flown since 1996. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Sunderland When my OH was here, with his father, quite a few years ago, this poor beastie was outside and looking worse for the weather, so we were pleased to find it painted & inside a building.

Seaplane Tender 206 : Taken into RAF service with the Marine Craft Section as one of the first batch of eight boats to be delivered to the RAF at Calshot, with her sea trials and commissioning reportedly being carried out by T.E. Shaw. Such high-speed tenders could serve in Stand By Flying duties, running parallel to a flying boat as it taxied and took off, carrying tools and fire extinguishers and ready to offer immediate assistance if there was an accident during take-off. Tenders could also tow flying boats to/from their moorings and ferrying passengers for the flying boats. ST 206 is on display in Hangar 1.