Welcome to the Spitfire Visitor Centre - before arriving:

As Blitzkrieg raged - with the invasion of Poland in September Nineteen Thirty Nine - it quickly dawned that Britain – and Europe - would soon be plunged into a Second World War. A rapid programme of Royal Air Force expansion began - with aircraft, supporting infrastructure, and personnel training being hastily planned. 

Blackpool became a hub of activity… With its vast available accommodation; location away from the coast of mainland Europe; several operational airports; recreational facilities and promenade space (for marching) - Blackpool soon became one of the largest military training camps in Europe. Over 700,000 RAF airmen were trained in the town during the war years – with up to 45,000 billeted in hotels and guest houses at any one time. Training courses – including reconnaissance, photography and aircraft engineering - took place continually across the region - in requisitioned hotels and buildings - including the Winter Gardens. Military personnel and civilians continued to come here for entertainment - with many of the country’s future cabaret and comedy stars learning their trade here during the war years. Blackpool tower even became an experimental radar station! Between Noneteen Forty and Nineteen forty five, over 2,500 Wellington bombers were manufactured in Blackpool…  at the Vickers factory – just near here - and also at RAF Stanley Park; parts were even made at Blackpool Pleasure Beach! The 100 or so enemy bombs - which landed on Blackpool airport - were likely as a result of targeting the huge Vickers factory. Blackpool Airport was requisitioned by the War Department - and Royal Air Force Squires Gate was born.

 

After the Battle of Britain - squadrons of night fighters were moved to Squires Gate airfield - to provide air defence for the Mersey and Ribble estuaries - leading to the respective docklands. Hawker Hurricanes, Boulton Paul defiants, Bothas, Oxfords and Wellingtons all being common sights in the skies over Blackpool.  When you walk around hangar 42 - try to imagine how it must have looked and sounded as war raged. Aircrews from Squires Gate regularly saw action during the war - with 68 personnel from Blackpool sadly losing their lives.

 

The famous Number 3-O-3 Polish Fighter Squadron was formed in Blackpool, and became the most successful Fighter Command unit - shooting down 126 German planes - during the Battle of Britain - in only 42 days. The nearby Layton Cemetery contains the war graves of 26 Polish airmen. The town was spared much of the German bombing - as Adolf Hitler himself – had instructed the Luftwaffe NOT to bomb Blackpool - as he had earmarked it as a future holiday destination for the German army - once the invasion of England was completed.

 

Today - your visit to this original wartime hangar will give you a feeling of the conditions that Royal Air Force Ground and Aircrews experienced in WW2.  This - Bellman type Hangar was saved from demolition in July 2015 by the Spitfire Ground Display Team who agreed to rent it from Blackpool Council. No Windows or doors remained - and the ancillary rooms - that you will walk through on the tour - had been filled with over 78 tons of rubbish, before being bricked up and left forgotten. The rooms have been returned to the condition - and layout - that you would have expected to see during WW2. These hangars were hastily constructed of steel frames and corrugated steel sheets; they were not expected to have survived over 75 years after the second world war ended!

 

The facility was restored solely using funds raised by volunteers touring the Country with our mark nine spitfire and mascot – Lucy.

The Operational and ongoing maintenance costs for Hangar 42 is wholly supported by the entry fee and from donations.  We operate on a not for profit basis, with excess funds supporting new exhibit purcahses and restoration projects.

We also look to earn additonal income from the hiring of the Hangar and equipment to TV and Film productions. 

Our volunteer team has provided techincal support and advice, for a number of small and large screen productions.  Our knowledge on the operational use of  military vehicles and aircraft movements on an active Wartime Airfield - has been utilised by a number of famous productions. These have included BBC’s and ITV dramas “Landgirls”; “Foyles War”; “Homefires” and “The Halcyon” and geoffrey Wellums "First Light".

Our Aircraft and vehicles can alos been seen on large budget productions including “Allied” and David Walliams’ “Grandpas Great Escape”. More recently our Spitfire, military vehicles, and even some of our uniformed volunteers - can be seen in the BBC WW2 drama - "World on Fire".

 

Blackpool Airport is expected to go through a considerable redevelopment programme from 2022 onwards, with many of the original War time hangars being earmarked for demolition.  Sadly - Hangar 42 would therefore be the only surviving world war two hangar on this airfield. Ironic, considering she was the first building to be erected in May 1939.

At the end of the Hangar tour there is an opportunity to purchase bespoke souvenirs, make a donation, or even get involved as a volunteer to help with our ongoing restoration projects. When you get home – please take time to join our two Facebook pages, and provide us with an honest Google or Trip Advisor review.

Thank you for listening - please enjoy your visit and don’t hesitate to ask our volunteers any questions

To support the upkeep and maintenance of Hangar 42 visitor centre - ensuring it remains available for generations to come - we welcome a donation of 3 pounds by texting - HANGAR42 – to 7-0-3-3-1