Wikipedia:Today's featured article/November 24, 2012



RAF Northolt is a Royal Air Force station in South Ruislip, 2 NM east by northeast of Uxbridge in the London Borough of Hillingdon, West London. Approximately 10 km north of London Heathrow Airport, the station also handles a large number of private civil flights; its location near the A40 road link with central London and close proximity to Ruislip Gardens tube station has also made it popular with business people and politicians. Northolt has one runway in operation, spanning 1684 x, with a grooved asphalt surface. Originally established for the Royal Flying Corps, it has the longest history of continuous use of any RAF airfield. Before the outbreak of the Second World War, the station was the first to take delivery of the Hawker Hurricane. The station played a key role during the Battle of Britain, when fighters from several of its units, including No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron, engaged enemy aircraft as part of the defence of London. More recently the station has become the hub of British military flying operations in the London area. RAF squadrons, including No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron are based at RAF Northolt. (Full article...)

Recently featured: Microsoft Security Essentials – Illinois – Conservation of slow lorises