Authentic WW1 Hangar for Your Vintage Aircraft
The Bessonneau hanger is a portable timber and canvas aircraft hangar used by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and subsequently the fledgling Royal Air Force (RAF) in the Great War. Many Bessonneau hangars were used by all sides as temporary structures until more permanent facilities could be built.
KipAero is offering a Bessonneau Hangar Kit to the vintage enthusiast and includes: wood structure with pre-assembled uprights and truss sections, pre-sewn covering (10oz olive drab Canvak), hardware, rope and stakes and basic instructions. Made-to-order, please allow 6-8 weeks production time. FOB Dallas, Texas by Motor Freight. $19,750.00 USD
Outside Dimensions: 30′ x 40′ x 16′ Inside Dimensions: 30′ x 34′ x 11′
(additional sections may be added to suit your needs)
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- Pre-built truss sections
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- Upright sections
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- Canvak olive drab 10oz used for covering
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- Bessonneau exhibit unloading
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- Laying out sections
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- Raising the sections
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- Bracing while assembling
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- Cross braces
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- Final structure
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- Rigging the covering
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- Inside trusses and ridgeline
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- Sidewalls with rope anchor
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- Bessonneau front curtain buttoned up
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- Open Curtain
Historical Summary:
The Bessonneau hangar is a portable timber and canvas aircraft hangar used by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) during the Great War. Many Bessonneau hangars were also subsequently used by the fledgling Royal Air Force (RAF) as temporary structures until more permanent facilities could be built.
- Designed and manufactured by a French rope and canvas company in 1908. It was primarily used to protect flying machines for races.
- In WW1, the design was adopted by the British Royal Flying Corps to house airplanes in both Great Britain and France.
- They were also extensively used at RFC Aircraft Acceptance Parks, where aircraft were assembled and tested before delivery, and for squadrons that moved from Britain to advancing battlefronts in France.
- Adopted for civilian use for cheap and portable storage for civilian aircraft.
- After World War II, British military use of Bessonneau hangars continued for the purpose of storing powered aircraft and gliders operated by the Air Training Corps ('Air Cadets'), until about 1990, and the last spare parts were disposed of by RAF Stafford circa 1988.