Help save our Battle of Britain heritage
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: ecosse
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was prepared to sign until I saw the Downing St web site
Provide Name, e-mail address, home address and post code
Surprised it didn't ask for DoB and bank details
Excellent! All tied in - saves Big Brother a lot of trouble!
"I'm watching you Fletcher" - "aaahr - Mr McKay"
Love many, Trust a few, Always paddle your own canoe!
Provide Name, e-mail address, home address and post code
Surprised it didn't ask for DoB and bank details
Excellent! All tied in - saves Big Brother a lot of trouble!
"I'm watching you Fletcher" - "aaahr - Mr McKay"
Love many, Trust a few, Always paddle your own canoe!
Join Date: May 2000
Location: uk
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Standby for an opposing point of view!
I will not be signing.
There is only a finite amount of money available to the MOD and I for one would rather ensure that no soldier ever dies again because of a shortage of enhanced body armour (or any other piece of equipment) than spend the money on preserving an old hangar.
Having spent far too many nights in crappy old nissan huts, I always knew that if we didn't knock them down soon then one day someone would come along and make them listed buildings!
We already have the RAF museum. Move on.
Bah Humbug
I will not be signing.
There is only a finite amount of money available to the MOD and I for one would rather ensure that no soldier ever dies again because of a shortage of enhanced body armour (or any other piece of equipment) than spend the money on preserving an old hangar.
Having spent far too many nights in crappy old nissan huts, I always knew that if we didn't knock them down soon then one day someone would come along and make them listed buildings!
We already have the RAF museum. Move on.
Bah Humbug
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd agree that not everything can, or should, be saved. But there's no evidence that these buildings have to be demolished and an alternative arrangement cannot be designed within the limitations of the budget. If they were in poor condition and a danger, I'd agree they should go; but they're still fully utilised and in A1 condition.
Last edited by f4aviation; 17th Dec 2006 at 14:03.
Join Date: May 2000
Location: uk
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not an aircraft engineer but I have had the privilige of commanding and working with many of them. My experience of operating from 2nd World War hangars are that they are cold, poorly lit, inneficient buildings that are riddled with hazards (asbestos, heavy doors that stick etc). We can do a lot better for our people (and our pocket) than by preserving them.
Does nostalgia really overide the opportunity for a more comfortable and safer working environment?
Any engineers out there care to comment?
Does nostalgia really overide the opportunity for a more comfortable and safer working environment?
Any engineers out there care to comment?
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Talking of BoB heritage how come we're letting Bentley Priory go for a few million to a property developer who will probably turn the historic mess into a health spa!
Although I suppose we might get a chance of an en-suite room
Although I suppose we might get a chance of an en-suite room
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The spiritual home of DeHavilland
Age: 76
Posts: 3,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had the dubious pleasure of working in all three hangars at Northolt from 1974 to 1977. I don't suppose they've changed much in the intervening thirty years.
311 Hangar was the newest of the three and the warmest, but the lighting was rubbish.
No. 2 Shed was a typical 1930's contraption; cold, draughty and the usual back breaking work to open and close the doors. Not to mention the pigeons getting in through the holes and crapping all over our nicely polished VIP transporters.
No. 1 shed was the oldest and best, which is why it was nabbed by the civilian contractors. It was still a heap of rubbish though.
I wouldn't be sorry to see them all go, there's plenty more old hangars about for preservation.
Except for just the one thing. Haven't the MOD got better things to spend their limited money on these days? I just read in a UK paper that Her Majesty has instructed her family - especially "Air Miles Andy" - to be 'green' and cut back on air travel. So, why is RAF Northolt getting all this demolition and rebuilding? Since 32 became "Royal" they've demolished and rebuilt the old Sergeants Mess, built a brand new Operations block and now they're building new hangars. There was a post about the demolition of the WW2 Sector Ops Room recently too. I reckon they can squeeze a few more years out of the old hangars yet.
311 Hangar was the newest of the three and the warmest, but the lighting was rubbish.
No. 2 Shed was a typical 1930's contraption; cold, draughty and the usual back breaking work to open and close the doors. Not to mention the pigeons getting in through the holes and crapping all over our nicely polished VIP transporters.
No. 1 shed was the oldest and best, which is why it was nabbed by the civilian contractors. It was still a heap of rubbish though.
I wouldn't be sorry to see them all go, there's plenty more old hangars about for preservation.
Except for just the one thing. Haven't the MOD got better things to spend their limited money on these days? I just read in a UK paper that Her Majesty has instructed her family - especially "Air Miles Andy" - to be 'green' and cut back on air travel. So, why is RAF Northolt getting all this demolition and rebuilding? Since 32 became "Royal" they've demolished and rebuilt the old Sergeants Mess, built a brand new Operations block and now they're building new hangars. There was a post about the demolition of the WW2 Sector Ops Room recently too. I reckon they can squeeze a few more years out of the old hangars yet.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: uk
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Blacksheep
Northolt is becoming a MOD London hub. BFPO moves there along with elements of Uxbridge and Bentley Priory. Plus a couple of units are expanding I believe.
Hence all the new building.
Anyone put any money on Northolt remaining open as an airfield once LHR has a new runway?
Northolt is becoming a MOD London hub. BFPO moves there along with elements of Uxbridge and Bentley Priory. Plus a couple of units are expanding I believe.
Hence all the new building.
Anyone put any money on Northolt remaining open as an airfield once LHR has a new runway?
Errmm...
That looks suspiciously like Tern Hill's two remaining Hangars - I'm not too sure of the Type but I am sure they are the same roof, doors etc. - also built between the Wars and even suffered air attacks losing one of the hangars, which became known as "The Sunshine Hangar" and scarring the adjacent hangar's doors.
I wouldn't know where to find out the details of Tern Hills Hangars. Can anyone out there help?
If confirmed this is not the type pictured - I will append my name to the Petition.
Rigga.
That looks suspiciously like Tern Hill's two remaining Hangars - I'm not too sure of the Type but I am sure they are the same roof, doors etc. - also built between the Wars and even suffered air attacks losing one of the hangars, which became known as "The Sunshine Hangar" and scarring the adjacent hangar's doors.
I wouldn't know where to find out the details of Tern Hills Hangars. Can anyone out there help?
If confirmed this is not the type pictured - I will append my name to the Petition.
Rigga.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tern Hill's hangars were all mid-1930s Type C, constructed about 1935 as part of the expansion of the air force pre-war. Northolt's Type A is of 1927-28 vintage, and there are very few left in good condition. North Weald used to have two, but one was burnt down in the early 90s and the other is used for warehousing. If a hangar at Northolt has to go, the Type C would be a better candidate. Apologies for sounding like an anorak, but I'm an engineer too...
I appreciate the comment about hangars being cold & draughty, but that's a function of being large areas with effing great doors. There's no reason the existing 1928 structure can't be improved on inside to give a better working environment.
I appreciate the comment about hangars being cold & draughty, but that's a function of being large areas with effing great doors. There's no reason the existing 1928 structure can't be improved on inside to give a better working environment.
Might seem slightly off topic, but the old hangars at St Athan kept having money spent on them due to the rails sinking and the concrete breaking up. What they did in the end was remove all the heavy steel plates from the inside of the doors, not sure if this has happened elsewhere. Certainly made the doors easier to open, and I suppose this saved money in the long term.
Hi Exrigger,
I believe the twin-skinned doors were to protect from low-level Blasts and were often filled with sand to add to the protection factor.
Many were still filled until the removal of the inner skins - in some cases lifting up to 60 tons from the doors.
F4 - My name will go on the list today. - DONE!
I believe the twin-skinned doors were to protect from low-level Blasts and were often filled with sand to add to the protection factor.
Many were still filled until the removal of the inner skins - in some cases lifting up to 60 tons from the doors.
F4 - My name will go on the list today. - DONE!
Last edited by Rigga; 19th Dec 2006 at 11:19. Reason: update
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: East Anglia
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hate myself for putting such a paranoid sounding post up, but is it really sensible to be publicising in such detail the interiors of the buildings? For anyone interested, Mike Jenveys post has the link. Is this sort of information available for other units? 
Hi Rigga, thanks for the gen, I did not know about the sand. With all the holes in the doors I was on about I would assume any sand was gone long before I worked there. The civvie team that removed the sheets used welding torches to burn the nuts of the bolts, but left a lot of the bolt shanks in the door structure. They assumed that the rust would hold them, we had to wear hard hats everytime we opened the doors.