Royal Air Force Officer Training Academy

Prior to the construction of the neo-classical College Hall, training took place in old naval huts. In the 1920s Sir Samuel Hoare battled for a substantial College building. Architect's plans were drawn up in 1929 for the present-day College. After some disagreement between Hoare and architect James West, the building plans incorporated design aspects of Christopher Wren's Royal Hospital at Chelsea. Lady Maud Hoare laid the foundation stone in 1929. In September 1933 the building was completed; it was built of rustic and moulded brick. Its frontage was 800 ft. In front of the Hall, orange gravel paths lead around a roughly circular grass area ("The Orange") toward the parade ground. The…