That stockpile and Rollason’s airframe and engine overhaul activity stayed there after Croydon closed as an active airfield in Sept.1959, until 1961. The firm then meandered, Rochester, Redhill, Shoreham and thinned out its stock onway. “
Not quite the case, Rolly’s continued to overhaul and repair engines, build Condors and re-build various Stampe, Jodel and DH types until well into the 70’s at Croydon. A number of moves were planned, the grandest of which was a hangar at Biggin Hill between the Air Touring Club and what was the Express Aviation hangar. ISTR that planning permission was the problem with that one. I left in 1972 and the stockpile of ‘Tiger’ bits was still in the corner of the hangar (next to the loo) although every year or so one would be pulled out and rebuilt to a fantastically high standard for someone (usually American) with pots of dosh. Rolly’s always had a presence at Redhill as technical support for the Tiger Club, indeed, Monday mornings at Croydon were always interesting as that was ‘recovery day’ for any aircraft they had left lying around the country over the weekend. A move to Rochester was planned but again, I don’t think anything came of it and the final thinning down of Tiger spares would have happened with the move to Shoreham. I once visited the Shoreham site and it was definitely a bit of a come down after the hangar and workshops at Croydon. Next time I’m in the attic I’ll try to unearth some Croydon Airport slides.
RB
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