Another piece of history disappears

[Tony Kearns]

No. 1 Hangar at Baldonnel is being demolished. A new hangar will have to erected to replace this original 1917 bulit building. If only those walls could talk before they are knoecked!

[Frank]

Is that the hangar where the museum is based or is that the hanger beside the flying school?

[Tony Kearns]

Hi Frank,
The Museum Hangar is No.4
Tony K

[thurian]

FFS! Why is this state so hell bent on demolishing history? Is the building unsafe? I'm assuming from its "Hanger 1" name that it's the oldest hanger at Baldonnell? It should be restored and the museum moved into it. Grrrrrr.

[Frank]

Thanks Tony.

[Tony Kearns]

FFS! Why is this state so hell bent on demolishing history? Is the building unsafe? I'm assuming from its "Hanger 1" name that it's the oldest hanger at Baldonnell? It should be restored and the museum moved into it. Grrrrrr.

Oh dear, Thurian you have to remember that the four hangars were built in 1917 with an intended life span of the duration of the Kaiser's War. The Belfast Trusses were replaced during re roofing in the 1930's and forties. Otherwise they remained the same. No. 3 was rebuilt in the 1980's so due to the condition of No.1 it is necessary to replace it. I have reason to believe that the Museum Hangar No. 4 will remain as such. The personnel must have a safe environment to carry out their work and the aircraft a safe area to hold them.
Tony K

[papa 242]

As much as I love the very bricks and morter of those hangers,the history oozing out of the very fabric of each building, I have to say they were not meant for the servicing or even housing of modern aircraft!
The gaps in the brickwork actually let in daylight!!
With the Alouettes,in winter,we had to push them out on the ramp to warm them up!!
I never envied the technicians having to work in those conditions!! It's a remarkable tribute to their dedication and skill that they turned out servicable aircraft day after day!
It will be sad to see any of them demolished,it will change the whole character of the Don!
But such is life...an analogy I often used with the Dauphins was.. it was like buying a £5000 stereo and putting it in your coalshed!!

[FiSe]

It is/was a landmark, sad to see it go, but I suppose, to hell with it 

Wouldn't mind to get some of the hangar door rollers and runners for my own workshop though

[CK]

Sad to see the hanger getting knocked down.

[Silver]

I agree. Its kinda sad to see it go. But I guess if its unsafe it must be replaced.

Having said that, if a similar hanger was in the UK, US, AUS or NZ I wonder would a preservation order be placed on it?