1934 QANTAS Hangar
THE 1934 QANTAS HANGAR
The QANTAS Hangar was built in 1934 and has survived both WWII and Cyclone Tracy. For a detailed history of the Hangar, please refer to additional resources below.
In late 1997, the Northern Territory Government purchased the hangar from Airservices Australia (formerly DCA).
The Motor Vehicle Enthusiasts Club (MVEC) was formed in 1985 and incorporated in 1986. In January 1999, the MVEC signed a lease with the Department of Arts and Museums and began restoring the hangar to a usable state. The MVEC now uses the QANTAS Hangar as its headquarters and workshop.
Members have converted the main hangar into a display area where the club and some members' vehicles are showcased.
On permanent display within the hangar are:
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The 1910 steam traction engine "Margaret Rose"
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A 1918 AEC truck
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A 1927 Thornycroft truck
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A 1989 B Model Mack truck
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Dennis fire engines
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The 1885 steam engine "Sandfly"
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A display of the history of the hangar
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Numerous vehicles owned by members, and one of the largest collections of stationary engines in Australia, the Izod Collection.
The two annexes off the main hangar area are used as workshops where members can be found working on their vehicles and club equipment.
Visitors are welcome to come in for a chat and a wander around the hangar. No entrance fee is required, but donations to help the club cover hangar running expenses are appreciated.
History of Hangar
QANTAS EMPIRE AIRWAYS LTD HANGAR HISTORICAL SUMMARY BY
RAY SHEPHARD
Construction of the hangar commenced on 16 July 1934 for Qantas Empire Airways Ltd (QEA). The hangar measured 100 ft (30 m) by 100 ft (30 m) with a head clearance of 20 ft (6 m) and doors capable of opening fully to accommodate four 'Empire mail planes' (de Havilland DH86s). Lean-to structures 30 ft (10 m) wide, running the full depth of 100 ft (30 m), were incorporated on each side of the building to be used as offices, storerooms, and workshops. Provision was made for ample skylights. The designer was Mr. R. Martin Wilson, M.E., a Brisbane architect, and the builder was Sidney Williams.
The hangar was constructed in 4 months at a cost of £6,114 ($12,228). However, it was erected 66 ft (22 m) too far west due to an error, which was discovered too late to rectify (the main stanchions and lean-tos had already been erected in preparation for the roof trusses). Given the stage of construction, permission was granted to proceed with the erection at its present position. The allotment was leased to QEA for 5 years starting in July 1934, at £200 ($400) per annum, and later extended to December 1944. Guinea Airways Ltd (GAL) leased the hangar from QEA in October 1938, at £525 ($1,050) per annum, following GAL's refusal to purchase the hangar from QEA for £4,000 ($8,000). A fuel storage shed, made of corrugated iron cladding and measuring 19 ft by 11 ft, was erected a short time before March 1940, 50 ft (15 m) north of the hangar's western alignment. Still in situ, it was used by the Shell Oil Company. The lease to GAL was current until November 1942, when the Japanese bombed Darwin on 19 February 1942. The hangar was badly damaged, and the allotment lease was suspended by the Director General of Civil Aviation. The hangar was subsequently repaired to the extent of being waterproof and was used by the Allied Works Council. The 32 fixed skylights of wire cast glass were not replaced. The Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) occupied the hangar as a mechanical workshop in August 1946. Stores were entrenched in October 1946, and an inflammable storeroom was added within the hangar in mid-December 1946. A motor vehicle maintenance ramp was erected 9 ft (3 m) north of the western alignment of the hangar during November 1946 using surplus metal torpedo cases. Subsequent lease agreements for Lot 5052 show rental of £375 ($750) per annum based on a valuation of £6,200 ($12,400). In March 1954, the Department of Civil Aviation purchased the hangar for £4,500 ($9,000).
A ducted extractor remains in place, externally on the eastern lean-to structure, and was erected circa 1955 to support the DCA carpenter's workshop.
The western lean-to structure was extended by 23 ft (7 m) to 53 ft (17 m) circa 1960 to expand the DCA stores area. In 1980, the Motor Vehicle Enthusiasts Club (MVEC) unsuccessfully attempted to lease the hangar from the DCA, who were no longer using the building. In 1992, the hangar was listed on the Register of the National Estate. On 21 April 1993, the hangar was listed on the Northern Territory Heritage Register.
On 28 November 1997, the Northern Territory Government, through the Department of Arts and Museums, purchased the hangar from Airservices Australia (formerly DCA).
In January 1999, the MVEC signed a lease with the Department of Arts and Museums and began restoring the hangar to a usable state.
During 2000, the corrugated galvanized iron on the eastern annex roof and walls was replaced, and period (1930s) windows similar to those in a hangar at Archerfield (QLD) were incorporated into the eastern annex wall.
In late 2001, the corrugated galvanized iron on the roof and sliding doors of the main hangar was replaced with specially produced iron of the period, and skylights were reinstated.
In 2011, the skylights were again reinstated, and emergency exit management lights were installed.