RAF Northolt is one of Hillingdon's most significant landmarks and has a rich and colourful history in the borough.

While not everyone in the area is ecstatic about the presence of a working RAF base near their home, the airfield has helped defined the area since it became operational in 1915.

The base will now be welcoming the public onto its runways for another of its famous open days, called NORFEST, taking place on Saturday July 22.

RAF Northolt last held an event similar to this in 2015 to mark 100 years since it opened, and it was attended by 11,000 keen guests.

Project officer for the event, Wing Commander Gaz Littlechild, said: “The thought behind the day is for the station to host an entertaining day out for the whole family and give something back to everyone who supports us at RAF Northolt; families, local communities, local councils, businesses and societies.

“There will be plenty of military stands on show, but we encourage and welcome local community groups to get their group, club or society stands involved and on display.

“We are working with the local councils and civil agencies that are part of the fabric of our communities and that make Ealing, Harrow and Hillingdon boroughs such exciting and includes places to live and work.”

Aerial view of RAf Northolt open day in 2015

There will be a whole range of family entertainment, food courts, and static aircraft displays.

Stands and ground displays will also be set up, including the 32 (The Royal) Squadron's aircraft, the Queen's Colour Squadron, Royal Air Force Bands and working dog teams.

Tickets are expected to go on sale next month, with 7,500 expected to be made available.

History of RAF Northolt

111 Sqn Hurricanes on the line at RAF Northolt

The station is oddly older than the Royal Air Force itself, as it was established in March 1915, while the RAF was not formed until the end of the First World War in 1918.

RAF Northolt became operational in June 1915 and BE2C aircraft began flying defensive patrols against the German Zeppelin raids carried out across the capital.

The officers mess, built around 1920, is still in use today along with one of the hangars and several of the blocks of barracks dating from the 1920s to the 1930s.

Government visit to inspect various RAF aircraft in the run up to WW2 – RAF Northolt May 1939. Today’s A40 runs behind the hedge at the back of the photo.

First to operate the Hurricane aircraft

Northolt was the first station to fly the Hawker Hurricane aircraft – a single-seat fighter plane used in the Second World War .

During the Battle of Britain in 1940, the station was home to Hurricane and Spitfire Squadrons, including the legendary No 303 Polish Squadron.

Polish Squadron

Squadron leader Tadeusz Sawic, the last surviving Polish Battle of Britain pilot, who was twice based at RAF Northolt. Died October 19, 2011.

The RAF were at first hesitant to let the Poles fly as few spoke English and there were concerns about their morale, but it turned out that many were excellent pilots and had in many cases seen more action than their British counterparts.

As a pilot shortage escalated during the Battle of Britain, two Polish fighter units were set up – Nos. 302 and 303.

A pilot with his pet dog on the side of the cockpit of his 303 (Polish) Squadron Spitfire at Northolt in May 1942.

The 303 was the most successful Fighter Command unit in the battle, shooting down 126 German planes in just 42 days.

Maverick Czech pilot Sergeant Josef Frantisek, an "honorary Pole", was the top scoring pilot during the battle with 17 victories.

The Polish War Memorial near RAF Northolt

While Heathrow was built

In 1946, the airfield was used for civil use while Heathrow Airport was under construction and Northolt became the busiest airfield in Europe, with 50,000 flights a year.

Recent times

A Typhoon jet flies over West End Road in South Ruislip on the day the plane arrived at RAF Northolt

In 2008, the £320m MoDEL (Ministry of Defence Estates London) project involved the closure of RAF Bentley Prior and RAF Uxbridge and the consolidation of most of their units into Northolt.

By 2010 the RAF Central Band, the Queen's Colour Squadron, the Service Prosecution Authority, the Military Aviation Authority and various other smaller units had all moved into new or refurbished facilities at Northolt.

In 2012 RAF Northolt was the forward base for Typhoon fast jets and Royal Navy helicopters which provided air security for the 2012 Olympic Games.

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