392:(www.ehmahaa.org.au). During World War II, this airfield was the largest air training facility in the Southern Hemisphere when home to the RAAF's No. 1 Bombing and Gunnery School and No. 1 Air Observers School (No. 1 BAGS and No. 1 AOS). 5,500 personnel trained on 109 separate RAAF Courses held there. 1,100 of these lost their lives mainly when serving in Britain with Bomber Command on operations over occupied Europe and Germany. This represented a 23% attrition rate compared to the Australian national average during the conflict of 7%. The aerodrome is listed on the New South Wales Heritage Register and this historic Hangar #156 was recently restored to house a former Royal Australian Air Force F-111 fighter jet (A8-147) in Australia's newest aviation museum which was officially opened on 25 August 2013.
48:
229:
237:
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reports that
Waddington Engineering made over 200 Bellmans from a total of 283 ordered by the Air Ministry in Australia, but the steel within the structures is clearly marked as Lysaght suggesting the materials were sourced by Waddington from Lysaght, possibly explaining the conflicting stories. They
95:
The time taken for 12 men to erect the hangar at
Thornaby, including levelling the ground, laying door tracks, erecting the steelwork, and fitting oiled canvas doors, was 500 man-hours. Two light jib derricks using timber poles were required to erect the fabricated vertical and side members. The roof
91:
The
Bellman hangar was designed in 1936 by N S Bellman (an Air Ministry Directorate of Works structural engineer) and its general dimensions were 175 ft long, 95 ft wide (87 ft 9in clear width) and 25 ft (clear height). It was constructed in 14 bays at 12 ft 6in centres based
103:
From 1938 to 1940 some 400 Bellman hangars were built in the UK, some 230 others were manufactured in
Australia and probably more were produced under licence in other Commonwealth countries too. Pre-war examples are known to have been built at Brooklands (two for Hawker Aircraft Ltd were supplied by
82:
a
Callender Cable & Construction design was built (later to be known as the Callender-Hamilton hangar). In 1938, the Bellman design was chosen as the standard Air Ministry wartime transportable shed, but Callender-Hamilton hangars were also purchased in small numbers for Royal Naval Air Stations
111:
Hangars were purchased in bulk and in 1938 a central parts storage depot was established at No. 3 MU at Milton, Oxfordshire. The parts for 40 Bellmans were stored in two specially built
Bellman sheds for issue in the event of war. When all the hangars had been dispatched, these sheds were used for
163:
grant, was dismantled in late 2016 then restored off-site before being re-erected in 2017 adjacent to its original location on part of the former
Brooklands Race Track's Finishing Straight. Officially reopened to visitors as the Brooklands Aircraft Factory on 13 November 2017, it now houses a
70:
therefore issued a specification in 1936 covering the dimensions and requirements for a light transportable shed for use in war. It had to be end-opening with doors at both ends, be capable of mass production and have interchangeable parts to permit rapid erection and dismantling with minimal
391:
in
Northern NSW, is the last remaining example from an original 17 at this historic heritage listed aerodrome and was recently restored as part of a NSW State Heritage endorsed restoration project. The Bellman is now home to the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Heritage Aviation Association
38:
capable of being erected or dismantled by unskilled labour with simple equipment and to be easily transportable. Commercial manufacturing rights were acquired by Head
Wrightson & Co of Teesdale Iron Works, Thornaby-on-Tees. By November 1938, 10 had even been supplied to Russia.
107:
Bellmans proved to be invaluable in the early part of the war and met an increasing demand not only to supplement permanent hangars, but also to provide the total hangar requirements for many temporary
Armament Training, Elementary Flying Training, and Air Navigation Schools.
212:(PAF Base Faisal, Karachi in Pakistan). Before partition of the subcontinent, No 101 ALC, PAF, was No 1 MU India established in 1918 and later renamed N0 301 MU in 1942. Nine Bellman hangars were erected in 1945–46 and these are still in ALC use for storing aircraft stores.
66:. This could be very quickly erected and secured to provide adequate shelter for a few small aeroplanes. But with post-war increases in the number and size of aeroplanes, the need for larger transportable accommodation soon became apparent. The
99:
As a result of the bad winter of 1937 when a number of Bellman hangars at Thornaby were damaged after a heavy to severe fall of snow, production Bellmans were modified slightly to have steel-framed and steel-clad doors.
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Two from Maryborough airport were relocated in Maryborough. One is located at Tarrants Pty Ltd and is used as a service centre for their garage. The other was extended and is located at the Maryborough sugar factory.
256:
Post war many were removed from temporary wartime airfields as they closed or downsized for civilian use and were relocated to expand or consolidate the permanent RAAF bases, or to establish new civilian airfields.
253:
were designed as easily transportable, temporary hangars which could be erected using unskilled labour and were used on war-time airfields constructed across Australia, particularly on training airfields.
159:
between 1938 and 1944 and became a designated Grade II Listed building in 1999. Currently the UK's only Listed example, it was recently the subject of a major restoration project supported by a major
362:, Adelaide, the former No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School 1940–1944. Two have been re-clad, but one which houses the Classic Jets Fighter Museum is in original condition
71:
permanent foundations. This specification was submitted to various designers and eventually two different designs were presented - the Bellman and the Callender Hangar.
202:, Lee-on-the-Solent. Both are in use; one storing gliders for Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club, while the other is used by Britten-Norman for client aircraft maintenance.
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on a unit system of rolled steel sections; both walls and roof used the same standard units joined at the junction of wall and roof by a standard corner unit.
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47:
344:
429:, Queensland, one of which houses the North Queensland Aero Club and is in almost original condition; the other houses Skytrans and has been altered.
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Two exist at Narromine airport, NSW, remaining from use by 5 EFTS and 618 Squadron RAF 1940–45. Also one dismantled but apparently complete.
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34:
was designed in the United Kingdom in 1936 by the Directorate of Works structural engineer, N. S. Bellman, as a temporary aircraft
205:
Four Bellman Hangars survive at Jurby Airfield, now disused, on the Isle of Man. One appropriately houses a Transport Museum.
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306:), the former No. 1 Wireless Air Gunnery School under EATS. (These Bellmans are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register).
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Air Publication 3236 (1956) ‘WORKS - The Second World War 1939-1945 Royal Air Force’, Issued by Air Ministry (AHB)
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by No. 5 Airfield Construction Squadron (5ACS) during the Vietnam War and may still exist. Three remain at Parkes.
399:(Forest Hill) central NSW; this is believed to be the largest number of Bellman hangars surviving at one location.
220:
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320:), possibly relating to either DAP aircraft manufacturing or the EFTS operating on the site during World War II.
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A further two adjacent to RAAF Laverton base on the road next to the railway, on land excised from the site.
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Bellmans were also produced in Australia from c.1939 to 1945. They are often stated to have been made by
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Today, there are believed to be about 100 Bellman hangars still in RAF/MoD service in the UK - including
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A further ten Australian-built examples on the Northern Tarmac at Point Cook housing the RAAF Museum (
406:
630:
Chris Coulthard-Clark, The RAAF in Vietnam: Australian air involvement in the Vietnam War 1962–1975
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Five at the RAAF Laverton base, these are listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List of that base (
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604:
https://web.archive.org/web/20160324051633/http://www.rafmonument.nl/_files/file/raf-hangars.pdf
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299:). Now the Central Flying School but was the former No.1 Operational Training Unit under EATS.
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comprehensive new exhibition about the aircraft industry at Brooklands and related locations.
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in Surrey. The latter has a clear height of 25 ft (required for dispersed production of
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An example of each was erected at two demonstration sites (airfields) in the north-east: at
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One has been re-erected at Bathurst Airport in 2016. A second is stored there dismantled.
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334:, the former 11 Elementary Flying Training School under EATS (Empire Air Training Scheme).
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195:(2). Further survivors can be found away from airfields in a variety of alternative uses.
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About six others were at Tottenham (former RAAF stores) but may have been removed by now.
268:) These are believed to be the only examples supplied from the UK surviving in Australia.
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376:, the former No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School 1941–1943. It is in original condition
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January 1939) and at Croydon Airport (one was provided there for Air Ministry use).
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an Air Ministry design was built (later to be known as the Bellman hangar) and at
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and for some time after, the only successful transportable hangar design was the
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275:) (These Bellmans at Point Cook are therefore on the National Heritage List).
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Four imported UK manufactured examples on the Southern Tarmac at Point Cook (
620:/www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/7C6B0389-2A4F-4B39-AFAA-7B01B1D4A61C/0/fs15.pdf>
602:
Technical Bulletin 02/02, Defence Estates, Ministry of Defence UK, 2002 <
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Two single and one double at the former RAAF No 6 Stores Depot Dubbo, NSW.
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trusses were assembled on the ground before being lifted into position.
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Four at Deniliquin Airport, New South Wales (built as part of the WWII
176:
369:, the former No. 2 Air Observers School 1941–1946. It has been re-clad
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One at Nhill Airport, the former No.2 Air Navigator School under EATS.
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611:
British Military Airfield Architecture: from Airships to the Jet Age
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UK Ministry of Defence maintenance manual for Bellman hangars <
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Three at Macrossan Stores Depot near Charters Towers, Queensland.
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and Warwick aircraft in World War II), was one of ten erected at
618:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121026065214/http:/
208:
There are nine Bellman hangars at No 101 Air Logistics Centre,
534:, prefabricated churches made from corrugated galvanised steel
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Three were at Fishermen's Bend (Victoria) at the site of the
313:
factory. (These have since been relocated to Tyabb Airport).
460:, NSW, by the Temora Aero Club. Built in 1940 for 10 EFTS.
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One at Waikerie Airport, used by the Waikerie Gliding Club.
139:
Two examples are preserved in UK aircraft museums - one at
446:, Queensland, is owned by the Darling Downs Aero Club.
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Others survive at UK civil airports/airfields such as
383:
Others existing in other parts of Australia include:
600:
World War II Hangars -Guide to Hangar Identification
478:, NSW, is owned by Tim Becroft of Tocumwal Aviation.
436:
NSW, believed erected when used by the RAAF in 1944.
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One at the Army Aviation Centre, Oakey, Queensland.
354:In South Australia the following examples survive:
422:One at Jezzine Barracks, Townsville, Queensland.
453:, Queensland, is owned by Chrisair Maintenance.
83:until superseded by a new hangar type in 1943.
613:. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens Limited (pp100–101)
634:http://raafacs.homestead.com/5ACSVIETNAM.html
625:Comeng: A History of Commonwealth Engineering
327:), the former No.2 Operational Training Unit.
8:
260:In Victoria the following Bellmans survive:
27:Standard Air Ministry transportable hangar
463:One was dismantled and transported from
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402:One at Maryborough Airport, Queensland.
583:Evan's Head Memorial Aerodrome Website
7:
425:Two in the General Aviation area at
345:No.7 Service Flying Training School
198:Two Bellman hangars still stand at
676:Military equipment of World War II
240:Port Pirie, South Australia, 2007.
25:
311:Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
224:Bellman hangar at RAAF Base Wagga
147:, South Yorkshire and another at
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43:Origins of transportable hangars
232:Maryborough, Queensland, 2008.
1:
476:Tocumwal Historical Aerodrome
389:Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome
434:HMAS Albatross (air station)
216:Bellman hangars in Australia
116:Surviving examples in the UK
627:, Rosenberg Publishing, p68
409:, Queensland, both re-clad.
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191:(1),Stoke Orchard (1) and
585:, accessed 2 January 2013
340:One at West Sale Airport.
51:Bellman hangar at former
666:Iron and steel buildings
507:Dymaxion deployment unit
250:Commonwealth Engineering
465:Parkes, New South Wales
416:, Canberra Airport ACT.
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179:(1), Fairwood Common (
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653:at Wikimedia Commons
367:Mount Gambier Airport
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161:Heritage Lottery Fund
112:storing spare parts.
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564:on 23 September 2013
407:RAAF Base Townsville
414:RAAF Base Fairbairn
297:RAAF Base East Sale
248:, but a history of
374:Port Pirie Airport
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210:Pakistan Air Force
153:Vickers Wellington
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649:Media related to
609:Francis, P. 1996
558:"Inside Daedalus"
469:Vung Tau Air Base
360:Parafield Airport
290:Moorabbin Airport
200:Daedalus Airfield
169:Blackpool Airport
149:Brooklands Museum
64:Bessonneau hangar
53:RAF Stoke Orchard
16:(Redirected from
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671:Aircraft hangars
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623:Dunn John, 2006
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560:. Archived from
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304:Ballarat Airport
189:Southend Airport
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87:Construction
76:RAF Thornaby
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68:Air Ministry
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517:Quonset hut
295:Twelve at (
141:AeroVenture
136:airfields.
80:RAF Usworth
60:World War I
660:Categories
544:References
522:Romney hut
157:Brooklands
527:Rubb hall
444:Toowoomba
358:Three at
302:Five at (
145:Doncaster
512:Iris hut
496:See also
432:Four at
323:One at (
316:Two at (
130:St Athan
122:Chivenor
474:One at
449:One in
442:One at
412:One at
405:Two at
387:One at
372:One at
365:One at
330:One at
246:Lysaght
183:) (1),
177:Detling
126:Cosford
58:During
173:Booker
36:hangar
502:B hut
187:(3),
175:(4),
143:near
606:>
570:2013
132:and
30:The
662::
171:,
128:,
124:,
596:.
572:.
347:)
282:)
20:)
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