Photos Of Tadley:
Hangar 5 Hangar 5

The Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) assembly building at Aldermaston Airfield, was built in 1942 and demolished in the early 1970s. The building was located at the southwest corner of the airfield, on the opposite side of the A340 road; near where the Bishopswood shops are today, hence the street name: Hangar Road. Production at Hangar 5 started in July 1943 and during the war approximately 500 Spitfires, mainly the photo-reconnaissance (PR) Marks IX and XIX and some fighter Marks IX and XIV, were assembled and tested at Aldermaston. Production finished in spring 1945 and the site closed in July 1946. The Spitfire was designed by R.F. Mitchell and developed during the 1930s by the Southampton aircraft manufacturer Supermarine (later to be-come Vickers Supermarine ). During World War II it was initially produced at Supermarine’s factory in Southampton. After heavy bombing of the works by the Germans, Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Aircraft Production, ordered production to be dispersed among a number of smaller units in southern England, one of which was Reading. Fuselages, details and sub-assemblies were manufactured at Vincent’s Garage in Station Square; wings at Great Western Garage in Vastern Road and fuselages and engine assemblies at the Caversham factory. Final assembly, checking and testing took place at Aldermaston Airfield and Henley Aerodrome. Planes assembled in Hangar 5 were taxied out onto the testing bays immediately outside, then across the road onto the main runway where they would take-off for testing and then their destination. Parts were also stored at Baughurst Bus Garage (Lattice House), and parts for distribution were packed at the Boy’s Club, Baughurst, later to become the Scout Hut (now demolished)