Building 46 (Squash Court)

Building 46, known as the Squash Court, was constructed in 1935 by the Air Ministry Directorate of Works and Buildings. It features Flemish bond brickwork with stiffening piers and a corrugated asbestos-cement roof supported by steel trusses.

The squash court has a single court layout, accessed through the south gabled end, which includes stairs leading to an observation gallery and a small waiting room. The exterior is characterized by a tall gabled block, with the central part of each gable elevated to a shouldered parapet with coping, above a louvred vertical opening that has a flush concrete lintel. The south end features a central part-glazed entrance door, with small 2-light timber casements with glazing bars on each side at a low level, all having flush lintels. Each long side of the building is supported by two full-height buttresses, and each roof slope includes a large area of patent glazing extending up to the ridge.

Inside, there is an entrance lobby with stairs leading up to the viewing area for the court.

Historically, squash courts were a common feature at RAF bases, often located near the Officers' Mess, as seen here with Building 45. This court exemplifies the thoughtful design typical of the 1930s Expansion Period of the RAF and reflects the amenities provided for officers in military barracks dating back to the mid-19th century. Duxford is noted as the best-preserved example of a fighter base from this period in Britain, showcasing a complete group of First World War technical buildings alongside typical inter-war RAF structures. The site is also significant for its connections to the Battle of Britain and the American fighter support for the Eighth Air Force. For more details about the site's history, refer to the entry for the Officers' Mess (Building 45).