Bessoneau Hangar at RAF Odiham

[Grimweasel]

Hello all,
Just after a quick bit of advice. At RAF Odiham we have a Bessoneau Hangar that we believe is the last standing example in the UK. It was built, we think, for the First WW, but we can't be 100% sure. We know that there were hangars at RAF Odiham in the great war but we can't sure if this exact one was there at the time of the war. It was re-canvased by Rubb in the 1980's but the original wooden frame is still extant. In Jan of this year the hangar was condemed as the structure has warped in places and there are cracks in the original 1907 wood!!

We (the Stn) has been tasked with disposing of the hangar as DE have said it's of no further use. Currently, it may be heading for New Zealand, but I'm concerned that it may be lost for ever. This could be seen as an important part of our WW1 heritage and I believe that Lottery funding could be an angle to save it for the nation.

Has anyone got any advice on the historical element and if there would be anyone in the UK interested in keeping it here as an important part of our history?

[touchpaper]

It surprises me that this building is not listed if its that old. You may want to look into the local history especially planning consents/local historians who should be able to advise.

[Grimweasel]

Thanks Touch,
We have contacted the local council and they have said it's a 'building of interest'; we only need to keep photographic evidence and that's it! I was a little surprised. Thanks again for the rec though.

[taxydual]

Try the RAF Museum Reserve at Cosford.

RAF Museum London & Cosford air force museums free family days out

They've bits of one, I believe. Maybe they would stump up for a whole one.

Failing that, a gallon of petrol and a match. Think of the insurance claim!!! Psst. I didn't really say that.

[Spurlash2]

Grimweasel

I reckon the RAF Museum Reserve Collection, at MOD Stafford, might be interested. Or even the RAF Museum, itself!

[8-15fromOdium]

I had to do some digging around English Heritage today, on a similar subject and was made aware of the following document:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/u...pdf?1240434513

In it they say they:

English Heritage has carried out a thorough review of England’s 20thcentury military heritage, including studies of airfields, airfield defences and Cold War monuments. A thematic survey report of military aviation sites and structures, first issued as a consultation document in 2000, has identified approximately 170 buildings and structures deemed worthy of listing at 33 separate sites. A small number of additional sites have been identified as nationally important following English Heritage’s subsequent assessment of Cold War sites.

Grimweasel, I suggest you give EH a call,as if they've got it listed it makes it very difficult to move. Appendix 1 (p19) of the linked document has a number of contacts as well as EH the Air Historical Branch may be useful.

Anyway best of luck.

[exscribbler]

Can such a structure be listed? Surely a Bessoneau Hangar is like a big tent and so is a temporary building. The RAFM reserve collection allegedly has a complete CKD example:

WW1 Treasures at RAFM Reserve Collection - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums

[Mandator]

Lots of comment on the Airfield Information Exchange forum. Will try and get a url.

Edit: see here ref restoration of Stow Maries Aerodrome:

Airfield Information Exchange - The Public Forums of The Airfield Research Group (ARG) • View topic - RESTORATION OF STOW MARIES WW1 AERODROME.

[GeeRam]

WW1 airfield restoration in Essex

Originally Posted by Grimweasel

Has anyone got any advice on the historical element and if there would be anyone in the UK interested in keeping it here as an important part of our history?

Funny you should post this as earlier on I was reading this thread of FP about the proposed restoration of an old RFC airfield in Essex and the indications were they were after your hangar but have been told it's going to NZ..??

So, yes it would appear an ideal home in the UK could be found for it.

Link to thread here
RFC Aerodrome to be restored in the UK - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums

Edit: got beaten to it

[effects]

Grim,
where abouts is this Hangar? I think aircraft ops from Odiham did not start until 1925.

[clicker]

What about Duxford, would they be interested?

[Mandator]

Think the Bessoneau is used by the Kestrel Gliding Club, which has photos of it on their website. I am sure that it is not original to Odiham but it seems to be the last one in the world.

As for Duxford, they won't be interested in anything like this - it might cost them money and they don't have any of that (judging by the ticket prices for the air show next month!!). Duxford is only interested in the multi-million creations of Sir Norman Foster.

[Jackonicko]

Didn't there used to be one at Halton?

[ACW367]

621 VGS at Weston-Super-Mare airfield operated from a Bessaneau into the 1990's until they moved to Hullavington. I can remember many times climbing the ladder to lace up the canvas doors which were a couple of inches less wide than the Grob Vikings 17 metre wingspan. When the VGS moved, the canvas was removed and stored inside the empty Sqn HQ building but the wooden frame remained for at least another 10 years.

A picture of the hangar taken in the 1980's can be seen in this post

http://www.pprune.org/4705295-post207.html

It has now been completely dismantled and just the hardstanding that the hangar stood on at the end of Moor Ln appears on the Google Earth image taken June 2006.

[chevvron]

There were several at Halton; I also saw one at Akrotiri c1986.

[Wensleydale]

The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden might be interested - they have a good collection of WWI replica aircraft, and an original hangar may be good for them? I am not connected with them myself, but I am sure contact details would be available on the web.

W

[thunderbird7]

Definitely used to be one at Wethersfield which the VGS used for their Flying Bricks.

[1.3VStall]

Grimweasel,

Bomber Command Heritage might be another useful contact - the organisation is currently trying to establish a museum at the former RAF Bicester.

[Hot Charlie]

The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden might be interested - they have a good collection of WWI replica aircraft

They have a good collection of original WWI (and earlier) aircraft too.

[snapper41]

You need to speak to the Air Historical Branch at Northolt; they have an interest in RAF heritage buildings. PM me for contact info.