RNAS Lee - The Airfield Research Group

4.5 4.55 4.5
Orlit Orlit Hut Hut - Small Arms Range (161)
Manufactured by the Orlit company of West Drayton, Middlesex, their precast concrete hut was
purchased by the Ministry of Works between August 1942 and July 1943.
Using a system of ‘I’-section reinforced concrete posts spaced at six feet centres with walls of
pre-stressed concrete planks fitted in two layers and separated by a cavity. Normally each bay
would of had a metal window on the side walls. The wall posts supported reinforced concrete
roof beams. Between them were room slabs covered with felt.
Based on the experience gained from Orlit huts erected on military bases during the war, the
company went on to build single and two-storey houses based on their post and panel huts, to
meet the post war housing shortage. Orlit huts are not normally associated with RNAS stations
but are slightly more common on RAF stations.
� NGR: SU 5622 0140 (161)
4. 4.56 4.
Chief Chief Petty Petty Officers’ Officers’ Mess Mess 11527/38 11527/38 and and 611/55a 611/55a (Hawke (Hawke Block) Block) (162)
(162)
The central block of this now huge complex which rises to a height of two stories, was built in
1940. It was based on the RAF Scheme ‘M’ protected roof design for a sergeants’ mess (for 170
members) with a flat reinforced concrete slab roof. At this time construction of two wings which
would have functioned as Chief Petty Officers’ quarters had not yet been started. Construction of
these forming the east and west blocks was not started until 1955 when a further storey with a
hipped-shaped roof was added above the existing mess block.
This is thought to be the only example of a situation where a second floor has been added to an
Air Ministry designed sergeants’ mess.
� NGR: SU 5617 0135 (162)
4. 4.57 4.
Wykeham Wykeham Wykeham Wykeham Hall Hall Hall Hall Officers’ Officers’ Mess Mess 10 10 Group Group - FONAS Headquarters (165)
(165)
Wykeham Hall is a large brick-built, two and a half-storey house, erected in 1895 (date stone)
and is thought to have been requisitioned by the Admiralty c.1917. It was extended before 1931
on the east elevation when it was used as 10 Group officers’ mess. While the building was used
as the Headquarters Flag Officer Naval Command, the structure was remodelled and a twostorey
‘L’-shaped block was built on to the north elevation of the pre-1931 extension.
This building has been connected with military aviation for nearly eighty years and for 56 of these,
it served as a major Fleet Air Arm headquarters. Wykeham Hall is therefore important to the
history of the Fleet Air Arm.
� NGR: SU 5617 0128 (165)
4. 4.58 4.
Lalkoti Lalkoti Lalkoti Lalkoti & & & & Keithlands
Keithlands Keithlands
Keithlands (Keith Keith Keith Keith Cottages Cottages)))) Cottages Cottages Married Officers’ Officers’ Quarters Quarters - (166)
Dental Dental Department
Department
Keith Cottages is a pair of semi-detached two-storey houses, originally called Lalkoti and
Keithlands, but renamed Keith Cottages soon after they were requisitioned in c.1917. They are
believed to be late Victorian dwelling houses with Edwardian extensions but now retaining a
symmetrical plan-‘T’-shaped plan-form.
� NGR: SU 5620 0127 (166)
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