Building Conservation & Development Fund

In 2015 the Volunteers of the Lytham St Annes Spitfire Ground Display Team took over the lease of a dilapidated former WW2 RAF Hangar, saving it from certain demolition.

The Hangar had been used for storage for many years and sadly its maintenance neglected.  The team was given the opportunity to take over the Management of this rare Bellman Hangar by the Blackpool Airport Properties Ltd, on the understanding that the repairs and maintenance were the responsibility of the Volunteers.  Up to the end of 2023 we have managed to raise over £72,000 from our Open Day events and attending events across the UK with our Spitfires.  These funds have been used each year to restore and improve Hangar 42's facilities.

Sadly, the Coastal climate has taken a toll on the exterior of the Hangar, which was constructed from a Steel framework and steel corrugated sheets.  In early 2024 we have invested £16,000 to repair leaking roofs and also replace the wheel gear on the Hangar doors.  From the march 2024 all Donations will be “Ringfenced to our “new build extension project”

During the years 1939 to 1945, Blackpool became the busiest RAF training area in England.  RAF Squires Gate, now Blackpool Airport supported both Ground and Aircrew training as well as Aircraft manufacturing, with almost half of the Vickers Wellington Bomber fleet assembled in Blackpool.  Vital night fighter Squadrons were stationed at Squires Gate with Polish Aircrew forming a large percentage of the Aircrews flying night cover for Preston and Liverpool.  68 RAF personnel lost their lives whilst serving on Operations at RAF Squires Gate, during WW2.

Blackpool Airport is a busy General Aviation Airfield which has now been recognised as an Enterprise Zone, with all its remaining WW2 Hangars now earmarked for demolition by 2025.  Fortunately Hangar 42, falls outside of this redevelopment footprint and will, alongside the original WW2 Air Traffic Control Tower become the last remaining wartime buildings at Squires Gate, Blackpool.

Your Donation is vital to our plans for this new building extension.  This new purpose built, extension will help to enhance our Education Programmes for School children, with heated meeting rooms and facilities for visitors.  The new hangar will also become the new home of the Saving Amy Airspeed Oxford restoration project, alongside modern workshops and welfare facilities for our Volunteer Team.  Once the new Hangar has been completed, we will be able to decant some our collection into it, enabling us to increase our Public opening hours and better conserve and maintain our collection in  warmer conditions.   

The cost of this new insulated Hangar will be in the region of £350.000.

Once the new extension has been built, we then have the space to return our focus to the restoration of our original HANGAR 42.  The cost of this restoration was estimated in 2024 as follows:

1. Replacement of lower lying lean-to roof above side rooms £31,000 

2. Side cladding above lean-to to roof to Western elevation. £23,800 

3. Main Hangar roof, replace with insulated cladding. £106,500 

4. Restore Hangar doors and Gable end insulated cladding   £145,700 

5. Eastern Elevation Side replace with insulated cladding.& guttering £25,000 

6. Contingency costs for isolated framework Steelwork repairs £15,000

From March 2025 we will be open every Saturday, Sunday, Monday & Tuesday to the Public through to the end of October. With additional additional Ticket Only events being published on our website. We will also aim to increase our Primary School Visit programme.

Our new building will help expand our opening hours help attract school visits, improving the use of the Spitfire Visitor Centre as a Community Hub and skills centre.  Outside of the management of the Hangar itself we are currently undertaking a programme of conservation projects on various RAF Aircraft, Military vehicles and ground support equipment.  

We are keen to attract ex UK Armed Forces volunteers and members of the Public who feel that they would benefit from the programmes we undertake and the camaraderie that the Hangar 42 Team has as a core value.  The Lytham St Annes Spitfire Ground Display Team and its Spitfire Visitor Centre facility is launches this latest fundraising campaign, to preserve our local history and to ensure this rare collection remains on Public display, in Lancashire, for future generations to enjoy.