RNAS Lee - The Airfield Research Group

4. 4.34 4.
34 Uni Uni-Seco Uni Seco Hut Hut (104a) (104a)
From 1942 Uni-Seco Structures Ltd. designed a range of huts based on a system of standard
units for walls and roof. They were manufactured under licence by major construction companies
on a basis of 7 per cent profit above cost. The most successful company involved in the
construction of the component parts of Seco hutting was En-tout-Cas Ltd.
Construction consisted of prefabricated, hollow aero plywood beams, columns and eaves-pieces.
Wall and roof cladding consisted of timber-framed units of flat asbestos facing sheets separated
by a cavity filled with a mixture of cement and wood wool. All of these component parts were
profiled and jointed to fit together with other parts. The framework consisted of a series of upright
aero columns bolted together to a timber keel plate fitted to a concrete base. Columns supported
aero beams and, together with eaves-pieces between two beams formed the structure of the
building. The gap between columns and eaves-pieces was filled with Seco wall units and
windows. Door framework was attached to the end elevations. The roof was constructed of
spars fitted between aero beams and roof ties between eaves-pieces. These supported Seco
roof units which were covered with felt.
Uni-Seco huts are now quite rare this example is very similar to the type used as Emergency
Housing of the post-WW2 period. This particular building is located between building 104 and
Westcliffe House.
� NGR: SU 5589 0109
4.3 4.35 4.3
Wardroom Wardroom Annexe Annexe (107)
(107)
Located between Marine Parade West and building 104 is the wardroom annexe. It was built
c.1939 and consists of a two-storey officer’s quarters which is an annexe to the combined
officers’ mess and quarters. It rises to three stories with a symmetrical rectangular-shaped planform.
It is constructed of 11 inch cavity brick with a steel-framed pitched roof having hippedshaped
rafters. Roof cladding is clay interlocking tiles. The main entrance projects outwards from
the main building and its hipped-shaped roof is lower than the main one which it joins at right
angles. Windows were originally steel-framed casements. The interior is sub-divided into a
number of officers’ cabins, set either side of a longitudinal corridor. There are ablutions and
latrines on each floor plus a box room.
� NGR: SU 5586 0107 (107)
4. 4.36 4.
Westcliffe Westcliffe Westcliffe Westcliffe Lodge Lodge Lodge Lodge ((((Warrant Warrant Officers’ Officers’ Quarters Quarters - Defence Estates Offices Offices) Offices
) (111)
(111)
Built c.1894 Westcliffe Lodge is situated at the entrance to the grounds of Westcliffe House. Its
architectural style is similar but on a much smaller scale to the main house. It rises to two stories,
built of Flemish bond red brick with interlocking red tiles.
� NGR: SU 5596 0102 (111)
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