Last wartime hangar at Gloucester Airport revamped
28.10.11
The last remaining wartime hangar at Gloucestershire Airport is being restored, 70 years after it was built. Hangar SE3, which was once used by the historic Gloster Aircraft Company for storage, is being developed into a new facility for a local flying school.
Despite its age, the steel structure is in a very good condition and engineers believe the hangar will last for many years.
Built in 1941, the hangar was used by the Gloster Aircraft Company to store jets that were produced in nearby Brockworth and then test flown and landed at the airport.
During the 1950s and 1960s the hangar was used by Smiths Industries for its fleet of test aircraft as it developed such technologies as fully automated landing. Now, the 21,000 sq ft hangar is being refurbished by Skypark UK, which owns Staverton Flying School, to include modern office facilities and giant glass doors.
A spokesman for Skypark said the historic building was due to be demolished and replaced with a ‘soulless tin shed’ but its work would retain the character of the building and add a ‘striking modern exterior’.
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