Sky Bike, The (Children’s Film Foundation)

Mr. Smith (William Lucas) leaves the house with his wife's umbrella after his son Tom destroyed his whilst sleep walking.

Tom Smith (Spencer Shires) cycles to the disused airfield where he imagines that he's flying a jet plane. Mark Amies identifies this as the entrance to Hendon Aerodrome, now occupied by Grahame Park Way in Colindale NW9, just along from the Royal Air Force Museum London.

Mark provides this view of the same location with the railway embankment to the right.

After being discovered testing his flying machine, Mr. Lovejoy (Liam Redmond) watches Tom ride home. Turning to the left, Mark Amies advises that the hangars were once part of a U.S. Navy facility,

Charmille Avenue now occupies the site as Mark's comparison shows.

Deciding to exercise in readiness to help fly Mr. Lovejoy's machine, Tom arrives home to find his friend waiting.

Bill 'Porker' (Ian Ellis) and his sister Daphne (Della Rands) follow Tom to the airfield where the two will race each other.

When the two boys decide to race again, Daphne heads off home. Hendon Aerodrome confirmed by Mark Amies.

During an autumn visit, Mark matches the site now at corner of Claude Avenue and Coxwell Boulevard.

On the way home after being told off by a Security Guard and discovering that another flying machine is being kept at the airfield, Tom looks back to see if Bill is following. Denis Hoare provides the location as outside the old sub-post office/general store by the entrance to Mill Field on The Ridgeway in Mill Hill NW7, near the junction with Hammers Lane.

Denis took this view to match. (RL)

With coast clear, Tom checks the directory in a nearby phone box, looking for Mr. Lovejoy' address.

Bill suspects that Tom knows more about what's going on at the airfield than he's telling.

Tom's first call is on Rose Gardens, where he finds a Miss Lovejoy. Milespit Hill, opposite Mill Hill village pond.

The garage doors have been toned down. (RL)

The grocer also turns out to be the wrong person. Seen earlier, this is The Ridgeway in Mill Hill NW7.

Denis took this "now", outside the sub-post office/general store on The Ridgeway. The store was converted to residential use a few years ago, and the postbox relocated about 50 yards away. This is looking south-east towards the junction with Hammers Lane, with the Three Hammers public house behind the trees in the background. (RL)

Dr. Lovejoy watches as Tom returns to his bike. The property stands on High Street in Mill Hill, London NW7.

I had to take this shot, it had my name on it! (RL)

Tom rides away to the next address. In the background is Ridgeway Methodist Church, now The Church of The Brotherhood of The Cross and Star, opposite the village pond at the junction of High Street and Milespit Lane.

Not much changes in this select backwater. (RL)

The camera follows Tom. And here is Mill Hill village pond. Other films that include the area around the pond include 'Night Comes Too Soon' and 'Where's That Fire!'.

Quiet and tranquil again now the school run is over. (RL)

Another house is tried but there's no reply.

A Neighbour tells Tom that the Lovejoys are in Majorca . . . . again!

Charlie Lovejoys's house is tried without luck and Tom returns home. Milespit Hill in NW7.

Some in-fill development it would seem. (RL)

When his father tells him of one other Lovejoy in the village, Tom goes to the funeral parlour. Royal Lane in Hillingdon village, Greater London identified by Carol Ferguson who has lived in the village since 1964. The background building was The Cottage at the time of filming but has since been taken over by the Royal Hotel.

The location now captured by Antony Blair.

Tom finally finds Mr. Lovejoy and tells him about his rivals at the airfield. Outside the Funeral Directors on Royal Lane identified by Carol Ferguson who has been revisiting this film as her aunt is Ellen McIntosh who plays Mrs. Smith

Antony Blair found that there's been a change of window design to the left.

After helping Mr. Lovejoy at the airfield all night long, Tom cycles home.

Tom walks with his Mother (Ellen McIntosh) while they spend time away at the lake. Eric Parsons recognised Ruislip Lido in Ruislip Common, Greater London.

Ruislip Lido now, captured by Antony Blair "Anyone for a bit of exercise!"

While continuing his training in a paddle-boat, Tom is called back to shore by the Boatman. Within Ruislip Lido identified by Eric Parsons. Other parts of the Lido feature in 'Confessions From a Holiday Camp' and 'The Young Ones'.

The boat shed has been replaced with a new building in Antony's view.

The Smiths drive home after their week away. Reservoir Road in Ruislip, Middlesex located by Eric Parsons.

Antony Blair found that the street looks much the same except for the yellow lines.

Finding that the opposition have imprisoned Mr. Lovejoy, Bill attempts to vault into the store where he's locked up. Mark Amies points to the railway embankment in the background which is clearly the one carrying the line out of St. Pancras running alongside Hendon Aerodrome.

Mr. Smith takes Tom to a nearby Airbase where they get help to release Mr. Lovejoy. Andy Whitfield identifies this as the south side of RAF Northolt on West End Road, Ruislip in Greater London.

Mr. Lovejoy watches Tom and Bill pilot the completed flying machine for a competition to win £5000. Hendon Aerodrome in Colindale recognised by Mark.

As the Organisers, the Security Guard (David Lodge), Tom's parents and Jack (John Howard) stand watching, the two machines race through the air. Hendon Aerodrome in NW9 located by Mark Amies. The airfield was also used for scenes featured in 'The Christmas Tree'.

Mark judges that this section of Coxwell Boulevard should be the same place.

The competition Organisers shake Mr. Lovejoy's hand, wet from him having fallen into a pond. Hendon Aerodrome once again, recognised by Mark Amies who adds that one of the 1918 Belfast hangars stands in the right background.

Mark took this view at the corner of Grahame Park Way and Avion Crescent where the hangars survive as the Royal Air Force Museum London, albeit surrounded by newer buildings.