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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0242.PDF
FLIGHT, MARCH 11, 1932 3ke Jndu&fruj BOULTON & PAUL HANGAR CONSTRUCTION \Y7HEN planning the hangar and ** social accommodation for a new aerodrome it is a decided advantage to be able to approach a firm of con structional engineers who are also the designers and operators of aircraft, for they obviously understand the specific requirements of an aerodrome. A firm of this type is Boulton & Paul, Ltd., of Norwich, who need as little introduction as constructional engineers as they do as aircraft manu facturers. Their steel-fiame construc tion is utilised for a wide variety of accommodation purposes in all parts of the world. Many of the huge garages for motor-coach fleets which have sprung into existence throughout this country, following the phenomenal development of road passenger ser vices, are B. & P. structures, as are large numbers of factories and ware houses, hangars and club-houses. Their constructional work at aero dromes is typified in the hangars of Air Service Training, Ltd., at Hamble; the Air Ministry hangar at Wittering; also those at the Rand Air Port, Ger- miston, Transvaal ; and in Rhodesia are examples of modern civil types. Advantages of Steel The advantages of steel construction for aerodrome buildings may be sum marised as follow: — 1. Steel work provides a fireproof structure, and it is durable. 2. It is specially suited to adapta tion and expansion, and can even be moved bodily from one position to another. 3. It permits radical alteration in internal planning with a minimum of expenditure. This applies to adminis tration buildings as well as hangars. 4. Partitions can be erected which are easily removable and require a minimum of internal supports. 5. Steel work is also particularly suitable for wireless masts, automatic wind indicators, and airway and aero drome beacon pylons. wms, • *»-M<IK««HBhW* The large hangar built by Boulton & Paul, Ltd., for the Rand Air Port, Germiston, in the Transvaal. In this photograph the doors are not yet covered. 6. With steel construction it is pos sible to obtain the largest span with the least height, thus providing the minimum of obstruction to incoming and outgoing aircraft, a feature of great importance at an aerodrome. 7. For the roofs and side coverings there is a choice of several kinds of material, for example, galvanised cor rugated sheets, asbestos corrugated sheets, corrugated " Cellactite " sheet ing and Robertson's metal sheeting. Construction Details A typical specification of a Boulton & Paul hangar provides for stanchions of rolled-steel joists complete with caps and bases ; rcof trusses of steel angles and flats complete with all gussets, shoes, cleats, etc. ; purlins and girts of steel angles ; and bracing wherever it is considered necessary. The doors vary- according to the size and number of aircraft to be housed, and they are of steel-framed design covered with galvanised corrugated sheeting, run ning on a top rack with guides and guide rail at the bottom. With very high doors it is sometimes better to have them running on a bottom rail track with top guides. For the roofing the sheeting used is 22 gauge, and for the sides, ends and door 24 gauge, all laid single side laps and 6-in. end laps, with all the neces sary fittings plus 5 per cent, to spare for fixing. All the necessary bolts and nuts are provided plus 5 per cent., but the bolts connecting timber to steel are not included. All the un- galvanised steel work is given one coat The rest house erected on the Cairo to Capetown air route at Malakal by Boulton & Paul, Ltd., of Norwich. 226 of paint before despatch, and is always tested before despatch to ensure cor rect fitting. Erection marks are made for guidance when assembling on the site. Galvanised gutters of suit able section with stop ends, outlets and straps for fixing are provided, also lain-water pipes with shoes, bends and clips for fixing. When a shed is erected in a tropical country windows are usually placed in the sides, and these are supplied with putty and pegs. In other climates the light can be ob tained in the roof by means of patent glazing or glass on puttied steel T- bars. Typical Designs Boulton & Paul aerodrome construc tion is designed to meet individual requirements when requested, but amongst their general plans of hangars are the following: —A small hangar to house the light aeroplane, 30 ft. by 30 ft., which should store three machines with folded wings ; a larger type 90 ft. long by 60 ft. wide by 15 ft. high, with provision for work shops, etc., in the form of a lean-to at the back, 10 ft. wide inside, and the doors in front giving a clear opening of 45 ft. by 15 ft. high. Another ha igar is 100 ft. long by 50 ft. wide, is divided into two sections by a par tition, each of which provides a clear doorway space of 50 ft. by 20 ft. For machines of big dimensions there is a hangar 328 ft. long and 82 ft. wide, the whole area inside being free of obstructions. Only two stanchions are employed along the front, which gives three openings each 109 ft. 4 in. wide. Boulton & Paul, Ltd., are the only aircraft manufacturers with a con structional engineering department, and their valuable experience in the design and construction of aerodrome buildings, including steel wireless towers—which they have supplied in all parts of the world—ought not to be overlooked, for example, by the many Town Councils now contem plating those long-delayed municipal airports. These Councils have no need to worry over their inexperience of the specific needs of an airport while such experts are at their command. The London office of Boulton & Paul, Ltd., is 139, Queen Victoria Street, E.C.4, and their Aviation Manager is at the service of all responsible enquirers.
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