Handley Page Transport
Encyclopedia
Handley Page Transport Ltd was an airline company founded in 1919 by Frederick Handley Page
in the new era of civil flying after the First World War.
The first planes were a small number of Handley Page Type O
/400 bombers modified for passenger use. These flew London
-Paris
. At a request from the Air Ministry
the Handley Page Type W8 was later used for both Paris and Brussels
.
On 31 March 1924 the assets and operations of Handley Page Transport were merged with three other British airlines to found Imperial Airways
. The company itself remained dormant until reconstituted to take over Miles Aircraft
in 1947 as Handley Page (Reading) Ltd
, which had been established in 1912. The airfield was used by the factory and the transport company. Initially though, Handley Page Transport used Hounslow Heath Aerodrome
to embark or disembark passengers for customs clearance, as customs facilities were not provided at Cricklewood until 17 February 1920. The company inaugurated a London-Paris air service from Cricklewood Aerodrome in 1920.
The aerodrome closed in 1929 as it was being surrounded by suburban development, and the Golders Green Estate
was built on the site. A new aerodrome was built at Radlett
, where most aircraft were now to be constructed. However the construction of aircraft at Cricklewood continued until 1964 when the premises were sold to become the Cricklewood trading estate.
from the companies' airfield, hitting a tree and killing the two crew and two of the six passengers.
Frederick Handley Page
Sir Frederick Handley Page, CBE, FRAeS was an English industrialist who was a pioneer in the design and manufacture of aircraft. His company Handley Page Limited produced a series of military aircraft, including the Halifax bomber in World War II, of which around 7,000 were produced...
in the new era of civil flying after the First World War.
The first planes were a small number of Handley Page Type O
Handley Page Type O
The Handley Page Type O was an early biplane bomber used by Britain during the First World War. At the time, it was the largest aircraft that had been built in the UK and one of the largest in the world...
/400 bombers modified for passenger use. These flew London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. At a request from the Air Ministry
Air Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
the Handley Page Type W8 was later used for both Paris and Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.
On 31 March 1924 the assets and operations of Handley Page Transport were merged with three other British airlines to found Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways was the early British commercial long range air transport company, operating from 1924 to 1939 and serving parts of Europe but especially the Empire routes to South Africa, India and the Far East...
. The company itself remained dormant until reconstituted to take over Miles Aircraft
Miles Aircraft
Miles was the name used to market the aircraft of British engineer Frederick George Miles, who designed numerous light civil and military aircraft and a range of curious prototypes...
in 1947 as Handley Page (Reading) Ltd
Cricklewood Aerodrome
Cricklewood Aerodrome was adjacent to the Handley Page factory in CricklewoodCricklewood
Cricklewood is a district of North London, England whose northeastern part is in the London Borough of Barnet, western part is the London Borough of Brent and southeastern part is in London Borough of Camden.-History:...
, which had been established in 1912. The airfield was used by the factory and the transport company. Initially though, Handley Page Transport used Hounslow Heath Aerodrome
Hounslow Heath Aerodrome
Hounslow Heath Aerodrome was a grass airfield, operational 1914-1920. It was situated in the London borough of Hounslow, and in 1919 was the location from which the first scheduled daily international commercial air services took place.-1909-1914:...
to embark or disembark passengers for customs clearance, as customs facilities were not provided at Cricklewood until 17 February 1920. The company inaugurated a London-Paris air service from Cricklewood Aerodrome in 1920.
The aerodrome closed in 1929 as it was being surrounded by suburban development, and the Golders Green Estate
Golders Green Estate
The Golders Green Estate is an area in the district of London Borough of Barnet between Cricklewood and Brent Cross, adjacent to Clitterhouse. It is in the London NW2 postcode area and is bounded by Cotswold Gardens and Cheviot Gardens....
was built on the site. A new aerodrome was built at Radlett
Radlett
Radlett is a small town in the county of Hertfordshire between St Albans and Borehamwood on Watling Street with a population of approximately 8,000. It is located in the council district of Hertsmere and is covered by two wards, Aldenham East and Aldenham West...
, where most aircraft were now to be constructed. However the construction of aircraft at Cricklewood continued until 1964 when the premises were sold to become the Cricklewood trading estate.
Accidents and incidents
On 14 December 1920 a Handley Page O/400s used by the airline crashed on take-off1920 Handley Page O/400 crash
The 1920 Handley Page O/400 crash occurred on 14 December 1920 when a Handley Page Transport Handley Page O/400 on a scheduled passenger flight from London to Paris with two crew and six passengers at Golders Green in North London after take-off from Cricklewood Aerodrome...
from the companies' airfield, hitting a tree and killing the two crew and two of the six passengers.