Description of Historic Place
Hangar 3 is located on the southwestern boundary of the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden as part of the Hangar Line set on the apron of the airfield. Erected as a temporary structure during the First World War, it is a simple, one-storey, timber-framed building with a low, bowed roof. Its rectangular massing features a central entrance with flanking windows, an off-centre double garage door, varying fenestration and a lean-to shed on the eastern façade. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.
Heritage Value
Hangar 3 is a Classified Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.
Historical Value
Hangar 3 is an excellent example of a building associated with the development of organized military aviation in Canada. Constructed in 1917 as one of several aircraft hangars on the base, it was used to train Canadian recruits for service in the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service and subsequently the Royal Air Force. During the Second World War, Hangar 3 provided facilities for the nation-wide British Commonwealth Air Training Program. It also illustrates an important stage in the development of CFB Borden as a principal training establishment.
Architectural Value
Hangar 3 is valued for its good aesthetic design. Built from a standard plan with a very good functional design, the building is characterized by its modest, bowed-roof volume of simple appearance. Distinctive lattice wood trusses on timber posts reinforced with diagonal timber braces span the interior, creating curving lines that give shape to the building’s roof. Its wooden structural system and the buildings’ on-going use attest to its good craftsmanship and materials.
Environmental Value
Hangar 3 enjoys an unchanged historical relationship with its sitting on the apron of the Borden airfield, directly to the east of the runways. It establishes the visual military character of its setting within CFB Borden and is a distinctive landmark in the area.
Sources: Ian Doull, Borden Hangars Bo. 3-13, CFB Borden, Ontario, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report 87-109; Borden Hangars Bo. 3-13, CFB Borden, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 87-109.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of Hangar 3 should be respected.
Its good aesthetic design, very good functional design and good craftsmanship and materials, such as:
- its simple, one-storey rectangular massing with a low, bowed roof;
- its standard plan design and modest scale;
- its varying fenestration;
- the lean-to shed on its eastern façade;
- its original structural system of lattice bow trusses supported on timber posts reinforced by diagonal timber braces.
The manner in which Hangar 3 has an unchanged historical relationship with its site, establishes the present character of its military setting and is a familiar landmark within the area as evidenced by:
- its location within CFB Borden, on the apron of the airfield, directly to the east of the runways;
- the original spacing of the hangars, 36.3 metres (119 feet) apart for purposes of fire safety;
- its spatial and historic relationship with the other surviving aircraft hangars within the Hangar Line, forming a visually cohesive group;
- its alignment and scale, which make it a familiar landmark on the base and within the area.
