Approaching Heathrow Airport from the south west, 1958
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This 1958 photograph shows the approach to Heathrow Airport, looking south-east as an aircraft descends over the southern perimeter road near Town Farm Way, just off the B378. Below, rows of prefabricated houses spread across the landscape, reflecting the post-war housing developments that once surrounded the expanding airport.
At the centre of the image is the roundabout on Town Farm Way, while beyond it the aircraft is believed to be lining up with one of Heathrow’s short cross runways, part of the original four-runway layout that has since disappeared. These early runways intersected the main airfield and were phased out as Heathrow expanded and modernised.
The scene captures Heathrow during a period of rapid growth, when the airport was still closely intertwined with surrounding residential areas. All of the prefabricated housing visible here has since been cleared and replaced by modern development, leaving little trace of this transitional phase in the airport’s history.
About Retro Stock Photography
Retro Stock Photography specializes in genuine vintage color photographs from the 1950s through the 1990s, all available as royalty-free instant downloads. Our photos are popular for editorial features, books, magazines, websites, documentaries, advertising, social media, local history projects, creative design, and as unique gifts when printed.
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