D158 – Aerodrome Main Entrance, 1920s onwards.
| Title | Aerodrome |
| Date | c1920s |
| Location | Yeadon |
| Photo ID | D158 |
| Comment | See below … |
The history of this landmark commences in the early 1920s and by 1929 it saw proposals for what now is known as Leeds and Bradford International Airport commenced.
On 17 October 1931, when it was known as Leeds and Bradford Municipal Aerodrome or Yeadon Aerodrome as local people referred to it and to this day, still do.
To this end, we will take you through those early years as we ‘locals’ knew it up until the early 1960s when the Leeds and Bradford International Airport started in ernest to become what it is today and which can be viewed on this site via: Yeadon – Business – Leeds and Bradford International Airport or please – Click Here. (Currently under review & not available at this time.)
The aerodrome was largely used for general aviation and training purposes early on, the first scheduled flights commenced on 8 April 1935. To accommodate passenger traffic, work commenced on the first terminal in the late 1930s, although only the first wing was completed before the start of the Second World War.
During WWII the aerodrome was also home to 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon and to the A V Roe (AVRO) aeroplane factory the latter being built and situated next door to the aerodrome. Images of RAF Yeadon are incorporated in the following pages and images appertaining to the AVRO factory can be viewed on this site via: Yeadon – Landmarks – AVRO or please – Click Here. (Currently under review & not available at this time.)
Your comments and any additional information are always welcome and can be submitted via registering on this site, via our facebook pages and or by visting our archive rooms at Yeadon Town Hall, Yeadon, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
F790 – Yeadon Aerodrome, Undated.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – c1920s
A postcard with an early aircraft in the background, the message reads “The Two Coming Forces Mr H Blackburn Aviator and His Boy Scout Admirer.“
Donated by Keith Spink.
F791 – Yeadon Aerodrome, Undated.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – c1920s
A badly creased photo showing men in the cockpit of an early plane.
Donated by Keith Spink.
Y635 – Yeadon Aerodrome, c1920s.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – c1920s
G – EAIT – a Blackburn Kangaroo photographed flying over the aerodrome. This aircraft was initially in service with the Royal Navy Air Service, Serial No: N1728 and later transferred to the RAF, Serial No: B9978. In 1919 it was sold to the civilian North Sea Aerial & General Transport Co. Ltd., Brough, East Yorkshire.
On 5th May 1925 the aircraft was being flown by RAF F/O Hugh Crichton McDonald, aged 26, who was undertaking a refresher training course for RAF Reserve pilots after not flying for some time. He had received dual training with an instructor on board and had received sixty-five minutes of dual control training. After landing, the instructor left the aircraft, and the pilot was cleared to fly solo again. However, during the takeoff, the port engine appeared to be failing. The aircraft descended normally but then dived into the ground around four hundred yards from the edge of Brough aerodrome. Mechanics from the airfield found the pilot thrown from the wreckage, but due to the nature of his injuries, he died a few minutes later.
B182 – Yeadon Aerodrome, 1929.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1929
An official party viewing the proposed site for Yeadon airport (Leeds Bradford Airport). In the centre wearing their Mayoral chains and top hats are the Lord Mayors of Leeds and Bradford, Nathaniel George Morrison Lord Mayor of Leeds is on the left, the Lord Mayor of Bradford is either Angus Rhodes or Herbert Pullan.
Also present was Councillor Walmsley, Clerk to Yeadon Council, H Verity, Heaton Naylor and other Council representatives.
On the left are chauffeurs with the officials cars.
In 1931 the airport was opened under the name of Yeadon Aerodrome.
The reverse of the image is marked 1950, notes from an old diary of Alderman Joseph Wilkinson , 101 Iveson Drive Leeds 6 (now 16) referring to the airport he remarks:
“Occupies 266 acres and about £140,00 has been spent by the Corporations of Leeds and Bradford on it’s layout and equipment. It is at present requisitioned by the Air Ministry and leased to Lancashire Aircraft Corps”.
E054 – Yeadon Aerodrome, 1930s.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1930s
This was the original entrance to the airfield and showing bus on Victoria Avenue (Harrogate Road).
Although now altered, this is still an entrance used by Multi-Flight for people having flying lessons or going on charter flights (September 2012).
Y642 – Yeadon Aerodrome, c1930s.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1930s
An aerial view of the aerodrome.
Donated by Ken Cothliff.
Y681 – Yeadon Aerodrome, c1930s.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1930s
The Arrow Active G-ABIX was a two single-seat, high-performance, all-metal aerobatic trainer, the first of only two planes built by Arrow Aircraft Company. Believed built at their factory in Leeds but initially flown at Yeadon.
The company moved to a factory off Harrogate Road Yeadon adjacent to the aerodrome in the 1930’s. The Arrow factory is now AETC Ltd, manufacturing components for aerospace and industrial gas turbine industries.
Donated by Ken Cothliff.
U607 – Yeadon Aerodrome, 1931.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1931
18th October 1931 – The official opening day of what was then called Yeadon Aerodrome, VIPs are inspecting a DH Moth, Captain Henry Vernon Worrall is second from the left.
Donated by Ken Cothliff.
Y636 – Yeadon Aerodrome, 1931.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1931
The opening of Leeds Bradford Airport 17th Oct 1931. Mr J H Lockwood (Conservative Candidate for Shipley and Yeadon) his wife and son being shown around by Capt. H V Worral in uniform, the ‘Pilot in Charge’ on a cold and gloomy day.
Photo Yorkshire Post.
F926 – Yeadon Aerodrome, 1931.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1931
A photograph from the days before the airfield was known as LBA. The caption with the image was “Souvenir of our flight with Capt. Barnard in the Spider at Yeadon August 30th 1931”.
Donated by Keith Spink.
Editor’s Note:
G-EBTS at Reddoch Farm, Grangemouth 28 Sep 1931.
Aeroplane registered G-EBTS was a Fokker model F. VIIA manufactured in 1926 and started life in the Netherlands as an eight-seater airliner. From 1927 onwards it had several owners including the Duchess of Bedford known as ‘The Flying Duchess’ who christened the plane ‘The Spider’. She flew to Karachi and South Africa in it twice along with her co-pilot, Capt. Charles Barnard a famous pilot of the time. In 1930 Capt. Barnard bought the plane and toured Britain in it giving joyrides at more than 134 stops including Reddoch Farm, Grangemouth. It was finally broken up in 1937.
This photo was donated to AHS as a record of the plane at Yeadon Aerodrome though the photo is of the aeroplane at Grangemouth. It is quite possible that the aeroplane visited Yeadon Aerodrome in 1930 on Capt. Barnards tour of Britain and the photo given to people taking a joyride.
Additional research by Philip Archdale AHS Archivist 10 February 2024.
Ed. JB. 12 February 2024.
Y694 – Yeadon Aerodrome, 1931.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1931
An image of the German Graf Zeppilin seen here flying over Leeds City Centre on the 19th August 1931. German airships visited Britain on several occasions and claimed to be ‘goodwill visits’ but it was thought that it may have gathered intelligence of the location of Yeadon areodrome and other such facilities. The Zeppilin landed at Leeds and other cities across the UK on its round of Britain flight offering flights to the public. Below is its timetable starting on the previous day:
After stopping at Hanworth, the Graf then picked up passengers for a round Britian flight. The flight was west from London, down to Brighton, across to Southampton, Bournmouth, and out over Hartland Point (midnight) Over Ireland overnight, then Carlisle (6:40am) – Newcastle (7:48am) Harlepool (8:23am) – Leeds (9:36am) – Bradford (9:50am) – Leeds again 10.16) – Hull (11.26am) – Howden Airfield (11.35am) – Grimsby (11.53am) – Skegness (12.48pm) – Holkham Bay (1:19pm) – Sheringham (1.36pm) -Great Yarmouth (2:17pm) – Southwold (2:47pm) Martlesham Heath Airfield (3:35pm) – Harwich (4:38pm) – Margate – London Wembley 5:52, Hanworth (6:43pm) – Landed (7:25pm)
Y676 – Yeadon Aerodrome, 1931.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1931
The Yorkshire Aeroplane Club Apron with engineering staff, supplemented by two small boys. On the left the two YAC hangers and on the right in the background the Bessoneau hangers of 609 Squadron RAF.
Aeroplane first on the left is: G-ABJN AW119 DH.60G Gipsy Moth 1851. The Yorkshire Aeroplane Club Ltd /Yeadon 21.03.31
M913 – Yeadon Aerodrome, 1931/32.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1931/32
Harrogate Road runs diagonally across the image, fields to the right of the road became the site of the A V Roe factory.
The 3 pairs of semi-detached houses at an angle to the road (planes behind them) became the headquarters of the Yorkshire Flying Club, the clubhouse was a flat roofed extension which is just visible to the right of the houses.
V44 – Yeadon Aerodrome, 1932.
Aerodrome & 609 (West Riding) Squadron RAF Yeadon – 1932
This aircraft at Yeadon Aerodrome was number G – AAPJ, a DH.60X Gipsy Moth.
It was first owned by the National Flying School at Hansworth, then the London Air Park Flying Club Ltd, next R H Henderson/ Hansworth.
It crashed on take-off at Chilworth near Guildford, Surrey on 16th August 1936.
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Consolidated by Jack Brayshaw. 15 February 2024.
Last updated: 10 March 2024 – Photo ID: Y635, Y642, Y681, U607, Y736, Y694, Y676.
