WWII Stanton Air Raid Shelter, RAF Bodney Airfield.
Manufactured by the Stanton Ironworks Co Ltd in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (the iron connection is in the mould pattern) was the WWII Stanton Air Raid Shelter. A segment shelter made by the former workshop producing spun-concrete lighting columns ceased production and turned over to concrete air-raid shelters, of which 100,000 tons were manufactured, principally for the air ministry.
Reinforced concrete proved an ideal material for air-raid shelters, being strong and resistant to shock with no deterioration with the passing of time. This type of segment shelter was of simple design and of low cost, of which any length of shelter could be built up from the pre-cast steel reinforced concrete segments usually for 50 personnel. The segments were 20 inches wide, a pair of them formed an arch 7ft high and transverse struts were provided to ensure rigidity. These fitted into longitudinal bearers which were grooved to receive the foot of each segment. Each pair of segments was bolted together at the apex of the arch and each segment was also bolted to its neighbour, the joints being sealed with a bituminous compound. The convenient handling of these segments enabled them to be transported onto sites where close access by motor lorry was not possible. Partly buried in the ground, covered with earth/turf, sometimes a suitably brick lined entrance and concrete steps if required, escape hatch at the opposite end. These bolted together air raid shelters afforded safe protection against blast and splinters.
WWII Stanton Air Raid Shelter, RAF Bodney Airfield.
Manufactured by the Stanton Ironworks Co Ltd in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (the iron connection is in the mould pattern) was the WWII Stanton Air Raid Shelter. A segment shelter made by the former workshop producing spun-concrete lighting columns ceased production and turned over to concrete air-raid shelters, of which 100,000 tons were manufactured, principally for the air ministry.
Reinforced concrete proved an ideal material for air-raid shelters, being strong and resistant to shock with no deterioration with the passing of time. This type of segment shelter was of simple design and of low cost, of which any length of shelter could be built up from the pre-cast steel reinforced concrete segments usually for 50 personnel. The segments were 20 inches wide, a pair of them formed an arch 7ft high and transverse struts were provided to ensure rigidity. These fitted into longitudinal bearers which were grooved to receive the foot of each segment. Each pair of segments was bolted together at the apex of the arch and each segment was also bolted to its neighbour, the joints being sealed with a bituminous compound. The convenient handling of these segments enabled them to be transported onto sites where close access by motor lorry was not possible. Partly buried in the ground, covered with earth/turf, sometimes a suitably brick lined entrance and concrete steps if required, escape hatch at the opposite end. These bolted together air raid shelters afforded safe protection against blast and splinters.