RNAS Lee - The Airfield Research Group

4. 4.64 4.
Mains Mains and and Mainhill Mainhill Mainhill Type Aircraft Shed Shed 4669/41 & 2198/42 2198/42
A total of 335 Mains and Mainhill type hangars were designed and built by A & J Main & Co. Ltd.
These were erected from 1941 on 29 RNAS airfields in the United Kingdom. This figure does not
include those built on RNAS Repair and Storage Depots. Those at Lee-on-Solent consist of the
following hangars:
Building # Identification NGR Building # Identification NGR
286 A SU 5681 0173 287 C SU 5690 0181
289 D SU 5699 0181 290 E SU 5700 0190
292 B SU 5678 0187 296 G SU 5677 0195
305 K SU 5683 0225 306 J SU 5674 0227
332 U SU 5627 0258 339 T SU 5614 0256
348 Q SU 5580 0243
4 .65 Fromson Fromson-Massillion Fromson
Massillion Hangars Hangars 3752/43
3752/43
A total of 74 Fromson and Fromson-Massillion hangars were erected from 1943 on nine RNAS
airfields in the United Kingdom. This figure does not include any hangars built on RNAS Repair
or Storage Depots. Those at Lee-on-Solent comprise the following:-
Building # Identification NGR Building # Identification NGR
291 F SU 5690 0191 299 O SU 5687 0208
301 N SU 5697 0206 303 M SU 5702 0215
304 L SU 5694 0218 307 H SU 5673 0215
343 R SU 5604 0268 344 P SU 5600 0257
4. 4.66 4.
Dispersed RNAS RNAS Bellman Bellman Aeroplane Aeroplane Shed Shed 2270/39 2270/39 (356 (356 & 358)
Naval type Bellman aeroplane sheds were erected from 1939 on RNAS aerodromes. Four were
erected at Lee-on-Solent in 1939 on a dispersed site to the west of the airfield. Only two survive
today:-
� Bellman aeroplane shed (No.4) (781 Squadron hangar) NGR: 5573 0230 (356)
� Bellman aeroplane shed (No.1) (Fleetlands) NGR: 5574 0214 (358)
4. 4.67 4.
Squash Squash Rackets Rackets Court Court 2078/18 2078/18 (372)
The original squash court consists of two courts united together as one building. It was designed
by Lieutenant JGN Clifts, Royal Engineers of the Air Ministry Works and Brick Department and
built 1918 / 1919.
Construction consists of 4.5in brick walls with internal piers supporting timber King-post trusses
and a large ridge mounted lantern light. Roof cladding was either asbestos sheeting or slates.
Internal and external wall surfaces were normally cement rendered. Two courts are arranged
side-by-side but separated by a connecting corridor, toilets and stairs to a viewing gallery. Below
the viewing gallery are changing rooms.
Squash racquets courts designed and built during WWI are now extremely rare. This example,
which is still used for its original purpose, has a roof clad with ribbed asbestos sheeting and a
flush roof light instead of a ridge mounted lantern light.
� NGR: SU 5594 0097
83