RNAS Lee - The Airfield Research Group

4. 4.30 4.
30 Motor Motor Transport Sheds Sheds (100)
Built c.1920 to replace a Bessoneau hangar that had been temporally used as a MT garage, the
MT sheds and yard is located on the corner of Hermes Road and Eagle Road. In its original
form, the new shed consisted of a three large garage bays in a central position with five smaller
bays on one side and on the opposite side wall, a further three small bays, making an eleven bay
shed. Construction was of pebble-dashed temporary brick with piers and steel stanchions
supporting steel trusses. Steelwork was supplied by the Dorman and Long Company Ltd.
In 1933 two of the original five small bays were converted into an MT office, store and rest room.
Also at this time a further three small bays and two large bays, were added at right-angles to the
original shed. These were built in a similar style to the existing shed but, a hipped-shaped slate
roof was added to this new section and roller shutter type doors were used instead of timber
folding doors as used on the original shed.
� NGR: SU 5593 0115 (100)
4. 4.31 4.
Parachute Store 2355/25 (Education Education Centre Centre) Centre (101)
On RAF stations, parachutes became standard equipment from 1926. All aircrew were measured
up and issued with their own parachutes which had to be periodically inspected to confirm that
they were fit for service. One of the main storage problems was condensation and to prevent
shrinkage, they had to be dried out. A secure dry atmosphere was required with constant and
frequent ventilation and a temperature between 55 to 65 degrees F. The building had to be free
of dust and built with a lobby so that the outer door could be closed before the inner was opened.
The main room had to be of a sufficient height to permit parachutes to be suspended from their
apices for airing and drying without any part of the silk canopy touching the floor.
The parachute store was a specially designed building which met the requirements for parachute
drying, inspection, packing and storage. The first purpose built design was 2355/25.
Construction is of red facing bricks with timber Queen-post trusses supporting a large ridgemounted
dormer roof light and roof cladding of slates.
This example is between Hermes Road and Eagle Road. It was extended c.1939 and is therefore
the largest example of its kind. In more recent times an annexe has been built against one of the
side elevations.
It features Queen-post trusses and a huge lantern light which are impressive features. A date
stone showing 1926 was noted. Other examples currently survive at Abingdon, Bicester,
Evanton, Northolt and Upper Heyford.
� NGR: SU 5594 0117 (101)
4. 4.32 4.
Lecture Lecture Room Room (Icarus Icarus Club Club) Club ) (103)
(103)
The lecture room is another WWI cement-rendered single-storey building designed by Lieutenant
JGN Clifts, Royal Engineers of the Air Ministry Works and Bricks Department. It is located
between Brambles Road and Eagle Road.
� NGR: SU 5590 0112 (103)
4. 4.33 4.
Officers’ Officers’ Mess Mess PSA PSA District District Works Works Office Office (104)
This consists of two 24ft span WWI huts of unequal length and of similar construction to the
men’s dormitories described above. These are joined together with brick corridors and
functioned in 1918 as the original officers’ mess. It is located between Brambles Road and
Westcliffe House.
� NGR: SU 5588 0110 (104)
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