Hangar at ST 598 805, Filton Airfield

This is an aircraft storage shed, built between 1917 and 1918, designed in 1913. It is located on Filton Airfield. The structure has a timber framework with corrugated iron cladding to the roof and walls. It is an early side-opening shed, featuring doors under a gabled cross range set at right angles to the main longitudinal ridge. Later internal subdivisions have been made, along with a lean-to range across the rear for offices and stores, and a central projection beneath a swept-down roof. The east elevation has central former main doors, with a flat-roofed extension added in the late 20th century to the centre and to the north gable. A workshop annexe with metal casements is located to the rear (west). The interior features softwood principal posts and secondary members, including low-pitched timber trusses with a flitched bottom chord and doubled rafters, a series of raking struts, an outer section plated with raking board for shear reinforcement, and a central iron suspension rod. This hangar is a rare surviving example of an early standard type designed by the Royal Engineers of the War Office’s Directorate of Fortifications and Works in 1913. It was originally developed as an Aircraft Acceptance Park for the reception, final assembly, flight testing, storage and distribution of aircraft. A series of 27 such sites existed in November 1918. After the war, the buildings were retained for use by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, founded in 1910, and later became part of an operational fighter base. Following the disbanding of 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron in 1957, the hangars were returned to use by the aircraft factory, now British Aerospace.