Bessoneau Hangar at RAF Odiham
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Google is your friend.
Bessoneau hangar
A Great War portable canvas hangar. 4 types of Bessoneau were created by Julien Bessoneau in France from 1910, of which the most common measured 20m x 24m.
Originally Posted by snapper41
You need to speak to the Air Historical Branch at Northolt; they have an interest in RAF heritage buildings.
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I know everyone is harking on about it may go to NZ. but if it is who I think it is it will be well looked after, is it perchance going to Mr Peter Jackson of The Lord Of The Rings fame and soon to be the New Dambusters, he has been quietly building a fleet of WW1 aircraft including some that have not graced the skies for over 70 Yrs
see
The Vintage Aviator | Constructors Of Military Aircraft
They have also brought out a range of stunning models to build, see
Wingnut Wings
If it is, then what a deserving cause.
Problem with the UK an all things aviation, it will be a half hearted affair and will always struggle for money to fund it.
Just stunning, though Constuctors is a new one on me
see
The Vintage Aviator | Constructors Of Military Aircraft
They have also brought out a range of stunning models to build, see
Wingnut Wings
If it is, then what a deserving cause.
Problem with the UK an all things aviation, it will be a half hearted affair and will always struggle for money to fund it.
Just stunning, though Constuctors is a new one on me
Thanks very much for the leads guys. I'll have to do some more digging wrt lisitng etc; the local council are not that bothered it seems!
I'll keep you posted on developments.
Rgds
Danny
I'll keep you posted on developments.
Rgds
Danny
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PhilR, The original bones can be seen on the link here
Untitled Document
and details about it here
Untitled Document
hope that helps
Untitled Document
and details about it here
Untitled Document
hope that helps
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Grim,
On a similar vein I remember one of the hangars at RNAS Portland was listed and saved from demolition as it was an old seaplane hangar from the first world war. Might be a precedent set here?
Good luck anyway
On a similar vein I remember one of the hangars at RNAS Portland was listed and saved from demolition as it was an old seaplane hangar from the first world war. Might be a precedent set here?
Good luck anyway
Thanks again for all the links.
I think I will contact the local council again. The H&S inspectors have condemned the hangar and the gliding club have moved out. Some of the structure has deformation and cracks, hence the need to forbid usage.
Hope I've not opened a can of worms here as we (the RAF) could really use the space for other projects. I would like to see the hangar saved and put to good use but the MoD has no appetite for saving it.
I think I will contact the local council again. The H&S inspectors have condemned the hangar and the gliding club have moved out. Some of the structure has deformation and cracks, hence the need to forbid usage.
Hope I've not opened a can of worms here as we (the RAF) could really use the space for other projects. I would like to see the hangar saved and put to good use but the MoD has no appetite for saving it.
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Bessaneau Hanger
I first visited the Army Gliding Club in April 1965 and the Bessaneau Hangar was not there at that time. I returned a couple of years later and the Gliding Club was housed in a Hangar on the far side of the airfield, "down the dip". I returned again in '73 and the Bessanau Hangar was in use. To the best of my knowledge it was not there on my earlier visits. So although an old hangar it was not at Odiham when first produced.
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Aeronut-The wooden frame of the hangar is still there, although the fabric is looong gone. Got a little souvenir scrap at home somewhere though.
.
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621 Andy
Can you confirm that the frame is still standing. I checked the Google Earth image which is dated 2006 and it appears to be dismantled, leaving just the concrete hardstanding.
Regards
ACW367
Can you confirm that the frame is still standing. I checked the Google Earth image which is dated 2006 and it appears to be dismantled, leaving just the concrete hardstanding.
Regards
ACW367
Re: the Odious Hangar
I'm led to believe that this hangar arrived from Kemble in the 1970s and was not part of the original establishment of the station. It's been suggested that it would be unlikely to get an import permit for NZ on account of the myriad types of livestock (fungi and insects) that infest the thing!
I'm led to believe that this hangar arrived from Kemble in the 1970s and was not part of the original establishment of the station. It's been suggested that it would be unlikely to get an import permit for NZ on account of the myriad types of livestock (fungi and insects) that infest the thing!
What Rot!
Anyone who thinks that there is wildlife living in the wooden structure of the Odiham Bessonneau hangar, hasn't seen it! The wooden parts are coated with creosote or tar-like substances (probably long since banned!), and any heebygeeby would have to have a very strong stomach to try and munch through it.
Whilst it is true to say that minor parts (diagonal roof braces between trusses) of the structure have distorted in places, this is due to nuts having detached from bolts due to the constant flexing of the structure in the wind, and insufficient wire bracing on the end of the hangar facing the prevailing wind. The gliding club have long been banned from attempting to perform maintenance on the hangar (it used to receive a visit from skilled personnel from RAF Sealand until the unit was disbanded).
If the correct bracing wires were restored, the nuts loctited to the bolts, which secure the wooden parts to each other, and snow poles lowered as the weather dictates, there is no reason why this hangar should not last for years with routine maintenance.
As I understand it, if anyone wants the hangar, they would have to put together a plan to dismantle the hangar which pays full attention to the health and safety and insurance implications of doing so (working at height etc.), or employ a contractor who is already so equipped.
Whilst it is true to say that minor parts (diagonal roof braces between trusses) of the structure have distorted in places, this is due to nuts having detached from bolts due to the constant flexing of the structure in the wind, and insufficient wire bracing on the end of the hangar facing the prevailing wind. The gliding club have long been banned from attempting to perform maintenance on the hangar (it used to receive a visit from skilled personnel from RAF Sealand until the unit was disbanded).
If the correct bracing wires were restored, the nuts loctited to the bolts, which secure the wooden parts to each other, and snow poles lowered as the weather dictates, there is no reason why this hangar should not last for years with routine maintenance.
As I understand it, if anyone wants the hangar, they would have to put together a plan to dismantle the hangar which pays full attention to the health and safety and insurance implications of doing so (working at height etc.), or employ a contractor who is already so equipped.
Last edited by Mechta; 30th Sep 2009 at 01:46.
Mechta
You are indeed correct. The NZ thing has fallen thru so if anyone would like a 'free' hangar they can PM me. The only issue is that you will have to come and take it down at your own expense and comply with all the regs as Machta states.
Defence Estates have no further use for the bldg and we would like the site free for the new Kestrel hangar.
You are indeed correct. The NZ thing has fallen thru so if anyone would like a 'free' hangar they can PM me. The only issue is that you will have to come and take it down at your own expense and comply with all the regs as Machta states.
Defence Estates have no further use for the bldg and we would like the site free for the new Kestrel hangar.
Airfield Conservation Trust
Grimweasel
Haven't seen it mentioned here thus far, - apologies if it has already been.
I don't know much about them, but the Airfield Conservation Trust are also active in this field - abct.org.uk
Best of luck.
Haven't seen it mentioned here thus far, - apologies if it has already been.
I don't know much about them, but the Airfield Conservation Trust are also active in this field - abct.org.uk
Best of luck.
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I have messages from someone in charge of that hangar disposal, saying we were interested to save it in france, they said it was already taken by another foreigner...since then no news ...and here i read that it is still there ???
can somebody specify the real situation as we are in france very keen to maintain a part of our history if UK surprisingly is not...usually it is brits that halp saving what frenchs don't...
can somebody specify the real situation as we are in france very keen to maintain a part of our history if UK surprisingly is not...usually it is brits that halp saving what frenchs don't...