Bristol-based commercial design-build specialist Toro Shelters has been appointed by Galliford Try to build eleven custom-designed hangars for Typhoon (Eurofighter) aircraft based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

The new hangars are being constructed using latticed steel frames covered with a durable, tensioned fabric membrane. While extremely robust, the hangars are light in weight and will be erected both on the existing apron at the RAF station and on new foundations.

Tom Hallam-Eames, Toro's Managing Director commented on the project: "Toro Shelters has developed expertise in developing structures for the Defence Sector which is an important one for Toro. Consequently, we're delighted to have been selected to design and build these important structures for the Royal Air Force.


"I think Toro's adaptability and willingness to work with customers to build bespoke but highly affordable and durable structures has helped us to build a highly competitive proposition in this and many other commercial sectors.

"In recent years, Toro has designed and built bespoke protective structures for clients in the Sahara desert to the Highlands of Scotland. The durability of our steel-framed, fabric covered structures has been proven, time and again."

Toro's qualified and experienced design team uses innovative software to develop one-off structures, in accordance with Eurocodes, that can be manufactured and erected both cost-effectively and efficiently.

The new structures require very limited maintenance as the steel frames are hot-dip galvanised inhibiting corrosion. While the highly durable, composite PVC membrane tensioned covers are UV stabilised and fabricated to last for decades.

Toro covers can be made in any colour, to suit local environmental or regulatory requirements. White covers allow the transmission of light to remove the need for additional lighting in daylight hours.

Toro's structure design also takes into account local climactic and wind conditions to ensure that each building is constructed to endure the environment in which it is to be erected.

Toro constructed the first modern, steel-framed, fabric covered shelter at RAF Coningsby in 2014, which has been in service, sheltering the RAF's existing Typhoon aircraft during maintenance ever since.

The latest project will see the first of the eleven hangars fully operational by January 2020.