November 11, 2010

By Dan Coombs

UXBRIDGE GAZETTE, 10 November 2010 – THREE buildings at the heart of operations at RAF Northolt during the Second World War have been granted Grade II listed status on the eve of Remembrance Day.

The approvals were announced by tourism and heritage minister John Penrose last week.

2025 International Churchill Conference

Join us for the 42nd International Churchill Conference. Washington, DC | October 9-11, 2025

2025 International Churchill Conference

The buildings are a ‘C-type’ hangar, the former squadron watch office and former ‘Z’ Sector Operations Block.

Group Captain Tom Barrett, station commander, said: “I am delighted that the importance of these buildings to the heritage of the nation has been recognised.

“RAF Northolt is a modern and effective operational station, but our success is built on generations of airmen and airwomen who served here before us.”

The hangar was used throughout the war to house Winston Churchill’s personal aircraft, in which he flew to many important meetings with other Allied leaders.

The watch office which also served as the aircraft readiness room during the Battle of Britain – the building from which RAF Northolt’s pilots were scrambled.

The Operations Block, on the other hand, was part of the ‘Dowding System’, a method of communication developed by Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding, using early radar, spotters and phone lines in concert to intercept enemy aircraft.

Read the entire article here at the Uxbridge Gazette

©Uxbridge Gazette