Hangar

Hangar with Belfast Truss roof at the former RAF Hooton Park airfield. This is one of three double aircraft hangars built here by the War Department in 1917. Hooton Park then became the No.4 Training Depot Station. The Royal Flying Corps moved in to form the fighter squadrons so badly needed in France, using Sopwith Scouts, Sopwith Dolphins and Avro 504s. Large numbers of American and Canadian pilots were also trained at Hooton Park. On 1 April 1918, the Royal Flying Corps merged with the Royal Air Force. By the end of the First World War, the 37 aircraft on charge were moved to RAF Sealand and RAF Hooton Park was closed.

In 1930 the site became the airport for Merseyside although this only lasted until Speke airport was opened in 1933. In 1936 No. 610 (County of Chester) Squadron Auxiliary Air Force was formed at Hooton Park being supplied with Mark 1 Spitfires in time to take part in the Battle of Britain. In 1946 No. 610 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force returned to Hooton Park after valiant war service, flying Spitfires in the European theatre. No. 663 (AOP) Squadron was reformed at Hooton Park in 1949, using Auster spotting aircraft. In 1951 No. 610 Squadron received Meteor twin jet fighters, and No. 611 Squadron (West Lancashire) relocated from Woodvale to use the longer Hooton runway required for this type of aircraft. The three squadrons operated as R.Aux.AF units from the airfield until all Auxiliary flying squadrons were disbanded in March 1957. At this point, the station was closed and all flying ceased at RAF Hooton Park.

The three hangars survive in the ownership of the Hooton Park Trust and were listed Grade II* in 2003. This particular structure suffered a roof collapse in 2007 and only now have funds been made available to effect repairs, the new trusses having been recently installed. The other two are currently used for various transport restoration projects.