These images hark back to the early days of flight, when bi-planes, grass landing strips and customs clearance on the runway were the norm.

Long before Heathrow became the behemoth it is today, Heston Airport and Hounslow Heath Aerodrome were at the forefront of aviation.

The long defunct airports played vital roles in the two world wars and in the development of aircraft and civil aviation.

The former is now home to Heston Services on the M4, while the heath which housed the latter today bears few signs of its aeronautical heritage.

They are now being commemorated by the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ACBT ) with memorials at both sites to remind people of their rich history.

A customs officer grants a clearance certificate to a pilot at Hounslow Heath Aerodrome about to embark on the world's first scheduled flight in 1919

'Shameful' situation now righted

The charity has already erected a plaque near the entrance to shops on the eastbound Heston Services, and is due to unveil a memorial stone on Sunday (April 10) at Hounslow Heath, in Staines Road, Hounslow.

ABCT founder Kenneth Bannerman said: "Britain's airfields are and always will be hugely important for every single one of us. These tremendously popular places have saved the world and revolutionised everyday life for the betterment of all.

"This area of Greater London has shown significant interest in this particular plan and we are therefore pleased to be able to dedicate our latest memorials to these two airfields after all they have done for their country.

"In the case of Heston, it is quite shameful that plans for a commemorative plaque existed as far back as 1971 but nothing further was done – ABCT has now righted this situation."

HOUNSLOW HEATH AERODROME (March 1910 - March 28, 1920)

  • Played a vital role during the First World War, when it was used to train pilots and as a base for fighter aircraft defending the capital
  • After the war, it became Britain's first airport when a hangar was converted into a customs centre. Heston was replaced as London's airport by Croydon in 1920
  • The world's first scheduled international flight was between Hounslow and Paris-Le Bourget on August 25, 1919. There was a single passenger and cargo included Devonshire cream, jam, grouse and newspapers
  • After its closure, the former airfield was occasionally still used for flying demonstrations, gliding and training air cadets
A pilot at Heston Airport in 1933

HESTON AIRPORT (July 6, 1929 - February 29, 1948)

  • The site was initially used for flying schools and aircraft sales
  • It was the scene of then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's famous "peace in our time" speech in 1938 on his return from meeting Hitler
  • Played a vital role during the Second World War as the site where Sidney Cotton helped pioneer the use of photographic reconnaissance
  • Night-flying was tested there under floodlights, and it was a popular departure point for long-distance flight record attempts
  • A concrete hangar, which is now a listed building, is one of the few surviving clues to the land's former use