Hangars

[NJR]

HANGAR TYPES


The evolution and development of aircraft hangars was influenced, not unsurprisingly, by the development of the aircraft themselves. Although as will be seen during the war years it was sometimes a case of the aircraft being made to fit the hangars! Another factor that impacted upon hangar design was the need to erect them rapidly and use in their construction the minimum amount of materials.

As the first aircraft came into service the need to keep the fragile structures undercover led to the first "hangars" being constructed, invariably these would be large tent structures. However as the numbers and complexity of the early types grew and permanent airfields were developed the first of what are viewed as hangars today began to be constructed. One of the more numerous was the General Aircraft Shed, examples of which can be seen "coupled" at Duxford; a fine example also still stands at Tadcaster in North Yorkshire. These designs were from circa 1916 the Duxford ones being to design 332/17 which was a more substantial build than the Tadcaster one.

During the inter-war period the "A" type hangar became the standard hangar design, the design number was 19a/24 but appears on some site plans annotated with different drawing numbers, reflecting perhaps the fact that it could be constructed to differing lengths as was required. Another hangar design from this period was the "F" Shed. The next hangar type, and a direct descendant of the "A" type was the "C" type. The generic drawing number for the "C" was 2029/34 and referred to the early "Hipped" type, which referred to the roofline. The development of the "C" meant that various designs and therefore drawing numbers emerged, "Gabled" "C" types again made reference to the roofline, having a series of gables running the length of the hangar. A further derivative of the early "C" types was the "Aircraft Repair Shed "C" Hangar. These were more slender than the normal "C", had workshops and test bays on the side and only had four sliding front doors as opposed to the usual six. Examples can be seen at RAF Manby in Lincolnshire, amongst other places. The final development of the "C" type was influenced by the impending war, the "C1" or "Type C - Protected" had a sloping front roofline and large windows to allow a blast to pass through, drawing numbers for these included 8180/38 and 5533/39. Some of the last "C1s" even did away with the brickwork, being constructed of asbestos sheets, saving on materials and manpower - the shape of things to come!

Other hangar types from this period were the "D" type (2312/36) and the "E" and "L" sheds, looking like elongated blister hangars and found on maintenance and storage units such as Burtonwood. The last permanent hangar design prior to the war was the "J" and "K" types, an early attempt at limitation of materials which resulted in a cavernous curved steel roof building, the "J", fitted out internally for operational stations, was design 5836/39, whilst the "K", found mostly on maintenance units was 3084/39.

This need for savings on cost and manpower led to the use of temporary or transportable hangars, usually from the late 1930's through the war years, although the Bellman hangar (the T2 forerunner) was from 1937, drawing number being 8349/37. The most well known of these WW" hangars was the "T2", although as reference to the table shows this came in a variety of designs and drawing numbers, usually attributable to the amount of internal bays, and therefore the length.

The Robins and Super Robins were smaller types of hangar and could be found at many airfields, a variety of other types could also be seen; again reference to the table is required. The "T2" however remained the "standard" hangar on most "duration only" airfields, joined later by the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) B1 design (11776/41), giving the classic "2xT2 and 1xB1 configuration.

As can be seen previously the dimensions of the aircraft that they would hold largely dictated the hangar design and more so dimensions. An interesting experiment to the contrary took place at RAF Kelstern in Lincolnshire towards the wars end. It was noted that the Avro Lincoln aircraft coming into use could only fit into the T2 hangars sideways. In an effort to address this redundant tramlines were laid into a T2 at Kelstern, a Lincoln flown in and mounted on a special trolley, the aircraft was then towed sideways into the hangar! The tram tracks can be seen today.

[NJR]

HANGAR TYPES


The evolution and development of aircraft hangars was influenced, not unsurprisingly, by the development of the aircraft themselves. Although as will be seen during the war years it was sometimes a case of the aircraft being made to fit the hangars! Another factor that impacted upon hangar design was the need to erect them rapidly and use in their construction the minimum amount of materials.

As the first aircraft came into service the need to keep the fragile structures undercover led to the first "hangars" being constructed, invariably these would be large tent structures. However as the numbers and complexity of the early types grew and permanent airfields were developed the first of what are viewed as hangars today began to be constructed. One of the more numerous was the General Aircraft Shed, examples of which can be seen "coupled" at Duxford; a fine example also still stands at Tadcaster in North Yorkshire. These designs were from circa 1916 the Duxford ones being to design 332/17 which was a more substantial build than the Tadcaster one.

During the inter-war period the "A" type hangar became the standard hangar design, the design number was 19a/24 but appears on some site plans annotated with different drawing numbers, reflecting perhaps the fact that it could be constructed to differing lengths as was required. Another hangar design from this period was the "F" Shed. The next hangar type, and a direct descendant of the "A" type was the "C" type. The generic drawing number for the "C" was 2029/34 and referred to the early "Hipped" type, which referred to the roofline. The development of the "C" meant that various designs and therefore drawing numbers emerged, "Gabled" "C" types again made reference to the roofline, having a series of gables running the length of the hangar. A further derivative of the early "C" types was the "Aircraft Repair Shed "C" Hangar. These were more slender than the normal "C", had workshops and test bays on the side and only had four sliding front doors as opposed to the usual six. Examples can be seen at RAF Manby in Lincolnshire, amongst other places. The final development of the "C" type was influenced by the impending war, the "C1" or "Type C - Protected" had a sloping front roofline and large windows to allow a blast to pass through, drawing numbers for these included 8180/38 and 5533/39. Some of the last "C1s" even did away with the brickwork, being constructed of asbestos sheets, saving on materials and manpower - the shape of things to come!

Other hangar types from this period were the "D" type (2312/36) and the "E" and "L" sheds, looking like elongated blister hangars and found on maintenance and storage units such as Burtonwood. The last permanent hangar design prior to the war was the "J" and "K" types, an early attempt at limitation of materials which resulted in a cavernous curved steel roof building, the "J", fitted out internally for operational stations, was design 5836/39, whilst the "K", found mostly on maintenance units was 3084/39.

This need for savings on cost and manpower led to the use of temporary or transportable hangars, usually from the late 1930's through the war years, although the Bellman hangar (the T2 forerunner) was from 1937, drawing number being 8349/37. The most well known of these WW" hangars was the "T2", although as reference to the table shows this came in a variety of designs and drawing numbers, usually attributable to the amount of internal bays, and therefore the length.

The Robins and Super Robins were smaller types of hangar and could be found at many airfields, a variety of other types could also be seen; again reference to the table is required. The "T2" however remained the "standard" hangar on most "duration only" airfields, joined later by the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) B1 design (11776/41), giving the classic "2xT2 and 1xB1 configuration.

As can be seen previously the dimensions of the aircraft that they would hold largely dictated the hangar design and more so dimensions. An interesting experiment to the contrary took place at RAF Kelstern in Lincolnshire towards the wars end. It was noted that the Avro Lincoln aircraft coming into use could only fit into the T2 hangars sideways. In an effort to address this redundant tramlines were laid into a T2 at Kelstern, a Lincoln flown in and mounted on a special trolley, the aircraft was then towed sideways into the hangar! The tram tracks can be seen today.

[mpb0277]

Link to Defence Estates documents referring to Worl War II Hangars - http://www.defence-estates.mod.uk/publications/technical_bulletins/2002/tb_02-02.pdf and J/K Hangars http://www.defence-estates.mod.uk/publications/dmg/dmg_25.pdf

[mpb0277]

Link to Defence Estates documents referring to Worl War II Hangars - http://www.defence-estates.mod.uk/publications/technical_bulletins/2002/tb_02-02.pdf and J/K Hangars http://www.defence-estates.mod.uk/publications/dmg/dmg_25.pdf

[norwichpaul]

F Sheds are in fact Admiralty seaplane sheds dating to WW1 but re-designated as Type F when many were removed from the WW1 sites and re-erected in the late 1930s at the Armament training camps. The Hinaidi shed is the same, but adapted as an end-opening version. You are also forgetting Type B Sheds, erected at Martlesham Heath, Rhu and Pembroke Dock which is the transition shed between Type A and C. There is also an earlier type C shed as erected at North Coates and Farnborough and were also to be erected at Digby and Mildenhall but never were. This being due because the standard RAF raf shed was accepted in the early 1930s as an end-opening shed rather than side-opening. This off course was the reason for the type B shed at MH, it being an experimental shed named 'Giant' built in 1927/28. The other type Bs are much later, built as seaplane sheds as the clear height opening was 40ft, large enough for flying boats. You are correct when you say that hangar design was based on future aircraft designs, hence the 40ft clear height for the MH hangar. When aircraft designs had stabilized, came the proper type C, in its first form was a gabled version (1934) built at Gosport, Northolt, Turnhouse and Mildenhall, then the much more common hipped version (1935-1937). The austerity C (Scheme L) (1938/39) which was designated by certain authors in the 1980s as type C1 but in fact are still classified as type C. The clear height of these are 30ft as against 35ft of the earlier Cs. You are quite correct about the construction of the so-called C1s. J and Ks is also correct, these being Scheme M sheds. Interestingly too, your quite right about the Lincoln bomber, this a/c was built to wartime production standards and was without anti-corrosion treatment it therefore had to be garaged in a hangar. But the existing hangars were too small and the thing had to enter the shed sideways. The tramways were built at Lakenheath to take the Lincoln, but I had no idea that this was the case at Kelstern too. I could go on, but I wont bore you any further.

[norwichpaul]

F Sheds are in fact Admiralty seaplane sheds dating to WW1 but re-designated as Type F when many were removed from the WW1 sites and re-erected in the late 1930s at the Armament training camps. The Hinaidi shed is the same, but adapted as an end-opening version. You are also forgetting Type B Sheds, erected at Martlesham Heath, Rhu and Pembroke Dock which is the transition shed between Type A and C. There is also an earlier type C shed as erected at North Coates and Farnborough and were also to be erected at Digby and Mildenhall but never were. This being due because the standard RAF raf shed was accepted in the early 1930s as an end-opening shed rather than side-opening. This off course was the reason for the type B shed at MH, it being an experimental shed named 'Giant' built in 1927/28. The other type Bs are much later, built as seaplane sheds as the clear height opening was 40ft, large enough for flying boats. You are correct when you say that hangar design was based on future aircraft designs, hence the 40ft clear height for the MH hangar. When aircraft designs had stabilized, came the proper type C, in its first form was a gabled version (1934) built at Gosport, Northolt, Turnhouse and Mildenhall, then the much more common hipped version (1935-1937). The austerity C (Scheme L) (1938/39) which was designated by certain authors in the 1980s as type C1 but in fact are still classified as type C. The clear height of these are 30ft as against 35ft of the earlier Cs. You are quite correct about the construction of the so-called C1s. J and Ks is also correct, these being Scheme M sheds. Interestingly too, your quite right about the Lincoln bomber, this a/c was built to wartime production standards and was without anti-corrosion treatment it therefore had to be garaged in a hangar. But the existing hangars were too small and the thing had to enter the shed sideways. The tramways were built at Lakenheath to take the Lincoln, but I had no idea that this was the case at Kelstern too. I could go on, but I wont bore you any further.

[NJR]

Never boring Paul, happy to get the gaps filled in. Interestingly the remains of the Lincoln into hangar experiment can still be seen at RAF Kelstern as the tram tracks are still there.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t145/ryan7480_bucket/kelsterntracks.jpg

[CDP]

Noel, you mention the C-Types at Manby and are correct but quite interestingly (and this probably defines their description), they are seven bay hangars. I was up there recently and just out of interest, counted them! I had never really bothered before but glad I did. This is opposed the six-bay expansion period types (an example of which is at Church Fenton) or the more usual ten-bay types, which can been seen at most expansion period bomber airfields.

I don't have a site plan, therefore no drawing number for teh Manby sheds - can anyone enlighten us?

Chris

[norwichpaul]

C hangars can and were built to any length, if you pays yer money yer can have as many bays as yer like - Sir!

[ianherbe]

Hangars seem to be quite a popular subject on here at the moment, so I'll continue the trend with a question on brick-built C-Type Hangars.

I was told by the ex-CO of Yorkshire UAS that the hangars at RAF Church Fenton are the last 7-Bay brick-built types still in use for aircraft hangarage in the UK. Can anyone confirm this? I know there are one or two still in use by the army at Catterick, and I'm sure there'll be a few at various other UK military bases, but are CF's the only ones still used for aircraft?

Couple of pics of CF's hangars, taken from my CF site:

http://www.rafchurchfenton.org.uk/Photos/tom_gill/LPIC0019.jpg

http://www.rafchurchfenton.org.uk/Photos/tom_gill/PA061471.jpg

[Carnaby]

Thornaby had two 7 bay Cs. One was 'accidentally burnt down' a number of years ago. The other was demolished very recently.

The site plan gives 3276/35 as the dwg no, but I am in possession of this which actually shows the annexes for both hangars, not the shed itself.

The description reads, 'Annnexes for two 'C' type hangars for one GR Squadron'.
Shed #1 had a two-storey annexe on one side, and catered for 36 airmen. Shed #2 had single-storey annexes and the locker room was for 18. I assume this arrangement catered for a three-flight squadron.

[Stevo]

Hi

I had a discussion with Norwichpaul about the bay count on the St Athan thread. I called the C Type at St Athen a 13 bay shed but Paul called them 15 bay shed as you need to count the two end bays as well.

So the ones at Church Fenton would be a 9 bay shed, same as Thornaby

The standard most common would be a 12 bay shed (what I would have called a 10 bay, I was counting the large window bays)

They are like this on the defense estate website drawings, the bays which are measured from the internal main support beams are 7.620m (25') apart, so for a standard (most common 1934 C-type) 12bay (what I would have called a 10 bay) is 7.620m (25') x 12 bays which give a length of 91.44m or 300', the standard 12bay is 150' by 300' (45.72 x 91.44m)

Does that make sense, LOL

Stevo ;)

[Stevo]

Dimensions for the 1934 Type C Aeroplane Shed.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q51/norwichpaul/RAF%20Scampton/scampton344z.jpg
Photo by NorwichPaul, Scampton, Brick, 12bay Shed

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q51/norwichpaul/RAF%20West%20Raynham/img148a.jpg
Photo by NorwichPaul, West Raynham, Concrete, 12bay Shed

Sizes taken from the Defense Estates Website. Sizes are for both the concrete and brick versions. Annex not included.

Bay widths are 7.620m (25'), Height of End bays are 16.612m (54.5')

6bay Shed
45.72m x 45.72m or 150' x 150'

8bay Shed
45.72m x 60.96m or 150' x 200'

9Bay Shed
45.72m x 68.58 or 150' x 225'
Examples; Church Fenton, Thornaby, Manby, Catterick

10bay Shed
45.72m x 76.2m or 150' x 250'

12bay Shed (most common)
45.72m x 91.44m or 150' x 300'
Examples; Waddington, West Raynham, Catterick

This one isn't on the DE website but does exist.

15bay Shed
45.72m x 114.3m or 150' x 375'
Example, St Athan

If anyone know any examples of the others let me know, I cant find any 10, 8, or 6bay shed.

But there is also the narrower (61m x 33m approx) 8bay C-type Aircraft Repair shed like at South Cerney, Hullavington, and Manby. Is this classed as a C Type?

Hope thats useful

Stevo ;)

[Stevo]

Dimensions for the 1938 Type C Aeroplane shed

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q51/norwichpaul/RAF%20Binbrook/bin13.jpg
Photo by Norwichpaul, Binbrook, Concrete?, 11bay Shed

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q51/norwichpaul/RAF%20Middleton%20St%20George/midd4.jpg
Photo by NorwichPaul, Middleton St George, Brick, 11bay Shed, one of the last of its type.

Sizes taken from the Defense Estates Website. Annex not included.

Bay widths are 7.620m (25'), Approx height to roof line is 13.7m (45')

9bay Shed
45.72m x 76.20m or 150' x 250'

11bay Shed
45.72m x 91.44m or 150' x 300'
Examples, Middleton St George, Binbrook, Coltishall

again don't know of any 9bay sheds?

Stevo ;)

[Stevo]

Dimensions for the Type J/K Aeroplane Shed

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q51/norwichpaul/RAF%20Oakington/b9.jpg
Photo by NorwichPaul, Oakington, J Type

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q51/norwichpaul/RAF%20Oakington/DSC03685.jpg
Photo by NorwichPaul, Oakington, Internal J Type

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q51/norwichpaul/RAF%20Middleton%20St%20George/midd1.jpg
Photo by NorwichPaul, Middleton St George, J Type, possibly the first of its type.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q51/norwichpaul/RAF%20Burtonwood%2037%20MU/burn9.jpg
Photo by NorwichPaul, Burtonwood, K Type

Sizes taken from the Defense Estates Website.

J/K sheds where made up of 18 bays 5.08m (16.6') apart, giving a length of 5.08m (16.6') x 18 bays = 91.44m (300')

Height to crown approx 15.2m (50')

Width (not including annex) 45.72m (150')

Total Width (including annex) 60.045m (197')

Major difference between the J and K is the positioning and number of runways beam used for lifting gear. J has 2 1/2 ton runway beam at each end of the hangar and one 6 ton at the center running the width of the span, the K has 10 runway beams running the full length of the hangar.

The J had Annexes along both side of the hangar which was used for offices and workshops, the K has the same but being used for storage didn't require many windows.
Source PF, British Military Airfield Architecture

Stevo ;)

[PJH]

The only 10 bay Type C I am aware of was at Farnborough. It was located behind what used to be 'A Shed' and was demolished, along with most of the main RAE site, in the early 2000s.

As far as active 9 bay sheds are concerned, you can add Abbotsinch, Aldergrove, Turnhouse and Wittering. The first three are still on the air side of the airports and so I assume are still used for aviation purposes. Wittering definitely still is. Not sure if they're brick or concrete construction though.

Peter

[netcompsys]

This is the hangar currently used by North Coates Flying Club.
The gent who showed me round said that this hangar was unique, half an F shed?

8781 8782

kevin