Building 15, Hawkinge Block, West Camp

This is a barrack block, built in 1934 as part of the RAF expansion program by the Air Ministry's Directorate of Works and Buildings. It is constructed of dark red brick in a stretcher bond pattern and has a hipped roof originally covered in slate concrete tiles.

The building is single-story and has a plan organized around a central entrance and staircase, with dormitory rooms on either side. The front elevation features three 12-pane sash windows on each side of the central entrance, which is flanked by a pair of 3-panel doors set within a cast stone surround with a moulded flat cornice. The windows are set within brick voussoirs and have stooled sills. The roof slopes slightly to box eaves with deep soffits. There are six sashes on the rear elevation, and a smaller 8-pane sash on a service annexe to the left of the front.

The interior retains original doors and joinery.

The barracks block has undergone little external alteration since the Second World War. The site gained a reputation as a key fighter station, particularly due to its role in the Battle of Britain, marking the first time a nation defended its freedom through air power. It played a critical role in the development of the air defence system based on radar, essential in the Second World War. The block is associated with 11 Group, commanded by Air Vice Marshal Keith Park, which bore the brunt of Luftwaffe attacks between 24 August and 6 September, particularly targeting airfields and aircraft factories.