Building 80 (Qm Stores)

This is a stores building dating from 1938, constructed by the Air Ministry's Directorate of Works and Buildings. It is built of bath stone ashlar facing brick, with a profiled tile roof.

The building is a large, square block, single-storey in height, with a hipped U-plan that encloses a lower, flat-roofed area containing a small central courtyard. A tall garage or store, slightly projecting outwards, is centrally positioned on the side facing the airfield.

Externally, the windows are steel casement windows with horizontal bars. A high, flush-coped parapet runs around the outer wings, which are hipped at both the front and rear. The front (northwest) elevation has three-light windows and flanking one-light windows, all beneath a common lintel band. The central section has a lintel band above the central doorway, flanked by three-light windows on either side of a taller central block, also with a lintel band above a double doorway (now partially infilled). The southwest and northeast elevations each feature seven three-light windows, plus single-light windows at each end, separated by downpipes with hopper heads, all topped by a common lintel band. The loading front (southeast) has a central section with three wide openings leading to a loading platform, now blocked with brickwork, flanked by narrow single lights. These are set within a raised parapet. Large three-light windows are flanked by narrow single lights on either side, all under a common lintel course.

The interior features steel trusses and original panelled, plank, and sliding doors. The main repair sheds have steel roof trusses and a plain concrete floor, one of which includes an inspection pit.

This stores building is part of a group of technical buildings at a nationally important site, retaining original windows and fitments. It exemplifies the successful combination of functionality and aesthetics characteristic of the RAF’s expansion from 1934. It served as part of a technical grouping established north of the main buildings to provide repair and administrative facilities for the Aircraft Storage Unit. Hullavington opened as a Flying Training Station on June 6th, 1937 and, due to its location and function, it was selected in 1938 as one of several Aircraft Storage Units for vital reserves. Further details of the site can be found in descriptions of Buildings 59, 60, and 61 (The Officers' Mess).