Hangars (former aircraft assembly hangars), Gate 3, Maze, Long Kesh, 94b Halftown Road, Lisburn BT27 5RF

Hangars (Former Aircraft Assembly Hangars), Gate 3, Maze, Long Kesh

These two large Second World War steel-framed Type 2 hangars are aligned north to south and form part of a scheduled monument designation at the Maze site. They comprise structures of significant industrial and military heritage.

Both hangars are of similar construction, defined by 23 bays of 'British Steel, Colville' U-shaped channels with angle bracing between them, supporting pitched trusses of matching construction. The columns stand in pairs on concrete-capped brick plinths. Between the columns are doors providing access to adjoining extensions. Evidence survives of earlier columns in the form of footprint scars and bolts, indicating that a former upper structure once stood at these locations, suggesting these hangars may represent later replacements of earlier buildings.

The hangars retain large three-leaf sliding doors at their north and south ends, complete with small wicket doors, tracks and projecting upper door rails. The north doors of both buildings 8 and 9 have been fixed shut by the addition of internal poured concrete plinth walls. Concrete flooring throughout shows no clear evidence of fixing points, earthing points or demarcation.

The side walls comprise brick lower elements with stone copings, topped with metal flashing and substantial timber windows set within steel angle frames. The roofs appear to be corrugated mineral sheeting board.

The hangars are flanked by red brick extensions: low single-storey extensions between the hangars and to the east, and single and two-storey extensions to the west. The low-level brick extensions and plinths appear to date from the establishment of the 1941 RAF base. The current hangars, bearing a British Steel stamp, likely date from after the nationalization of steel in 1948 or even the re-nationalization in 1967.

These structures formed part of a Stirling Aircraft assembly factory. Aircraft components were manufactured at Sydenham in Belfast and transported to Long Kesh for final assembly and flight-testing. The raised stanchion plinths are an unusual arrangement, possibly necessitated by the height of the Stirling aircraft. The low-level extensions originally served as workshops, staff facilities and blast shelters.

Extensive alterations were made during the 1960s to convert the low-level extensions into facilities including an ablution block and bar. Original fenestration has been considerably altered, particularly on the west elevation where several windows have been extended by insertion of timber-framed elements beneath the original steel-framed uppers. The east elevation fenestration pattern is more representative of the original form.

Building 8 is also known as the C&R Training Hangar, whilst Building 9 is referred to as the PEG Transport or Black hangar. Building 8 was latterly subdivided by concrete panels and fences to create a mock prison scenario for siege, riot and general officer training, with two modern porta-cabins providing officer accommodation and facilities, and a single cabin for chief officer use. The building thus represents the site's transition from aircraft manufacture through military use to its final incarnation as a training and detention facility.