RAF Croydon [entry point]
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RAF Croydon was a civil airport that became an RAF station during the war before returning to civil use again before closing. It was located in the southern London suburb of Croydon.
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Croydon airfield was first used in 1915 for defence against Zeppelin airships. Croydon aerodrome opened in 1920 for civilian use and was the first in the world to introduce air traffic control and use a control tower. It was the home of Imperial Airways, Britain’s first national airline. During World War Two it was closed for civilian use, named RAF Croydon and used by Fighter Command. It played a prominent role during the Battle of Britain with Spitfires and Hurricanes. In 1943 RAF Croydon formed an important station for the newly created Transport Command and it was home to 147 Squadron using C-47s. At the end of the war the station returned to civilian use but with growth of the surrounding suburbs the role of an international airport moved to Heathrow. Flying from Croydon ceased in 1959.
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