insideKENT Magazine Issue 22 - January 2014 | Page 115

INTERIORS

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR

THESE KENT-BASED SPECIALISTS ARE ON A MISSION. A FLIGHT MISSION, TO BE EXACT.
BY GEMMA DUNN
15ft 1968 A7 Corsair Belly Tank Sofa,
finished in a red Nappa leather with
a mirror polished body.

Three Window Time Zone Wall Clock. This fuselage
section was saved and bought ‘back to life’ from a
1966 Cathay Pacific 747 400. Sand blasted and mirror
polished with additional country locations to order.

The Cowling Reception Desk is taken from a 737 400 and perfects the ‘wow
factor' in corporate environments. Hangar 54 have lots of designs, including DJ
podiums and mobile bars for these cowlings.

Martin-Baker Panavia Tornado MK 10 Ejector Seats finished in traditional brown
or contemporary orange. The company logo can be embroidered as seen on
the brown option, or raised embroidered as seen on the orange.

Recycling but not as you know it, Hangar 54
designs and manufactures beautiful bespoke
aviation furniture and artwork, meticulously forged
from reclaimed aviation salvage. Fuelled by a
shared passion for design, elegance and
perfection, each handpicked piece is transformed
'back to life' through inspired design and
considerate fabrication. The result: an extensive
portfolio of custom-crafted furniture that artistically
embraces aviation engineering.
The brainchild of brothers Brett and Shane
Armstrong, this unique family-run-and-owned
business is certainly no shrinking violet. Since
the company's official launch in February last
year, Hangar 54's bespoke aviation offerings
have not just gained local and UK-wide
recognition, but high-profile international
admissions too.
Initially founded in June 2011 after Shane
spotted a piece of furniture made from a salvaged
engine cowling whilst out shopping, Hangar 54
took nearly two years of development, prototypes
and planning to form the business and perfect
the inspiring collection.
Motivated by his chance encounter, Shane
explains: “I fell in love with the concept and the
endless potential these often disregarded pieces
of salvage have.
“I wanted to replicate that childlike feeling
of excitement by using my engineering experience
and flair for design to build a high-end bespoke
collection to be proud of."
Much like Shane, Brett — who had worked

for over 15 years in London building an information
technology recruitment business that focused
on investment banking and financial markets —
felt confident that there was a gap in the market
and a genuine opportunity to build a successful
and influential business.
"Taking a salvaged 747 engine cowling and
converting it into a practical reception desk is a
unique and rewarding way to earn a living,
wouldn’t you say?” says Brett.
Their joint passion, enthusiasm and
complimenting expertise meant they tackled the
task with conviction and the foundations of
Hangar 54 were built on both excellence and
precision.
"It has to be right, or it's not worth doing,"
explains Shane.
From bar stools handcrafted from a Panavia
Tornado Martin Baker ejector seat and custom
designed time zone wall clock from a section
737 fuselage, to a 1968 Corsair belly tank
converted into a sofa, all of the high-quality
materials used are sourced globally and salvaged
before being renovated.
The result is a luxurious British-made
statement piece that is not only functional, but
stylish. Also, due to the raw nature of the supplies,
no two designs can ever be the same, which
stands in great stead for those looking to invest
in a striking one-off showstopper.
When it comes to their consumer market,
Hangar 54 caters for private clients who are
looking to add a little flair to their home, corporate

115

clients hoping to add a distinctive piece to the
office or retail environment, and also bespoke
requests and concept designs.
What's more, many pieces from the iconic
collection can be individually customised with
logos and branding at individual request.
Every item from the collection is sold with
its own unique log book – a leather bound wallet,
complete with individual serial number and signed
letter of authenticity. The book also documents
the timeline and process used to complete the
piece.
It's these little touches, combined with the
brothers' respect for the former life of the
aeronautical salvage and sincere admiration for
aviation engineering that has seen and will
continue to see Hangar 54 soar.

www.hangar54.com

Brett and Shane have more recently
filmed with Channel 4's Four Rooms,
the popular British TV series in which
members of the public are invited
to try to sell their valuable artefacts
to some of the country's leading
dealers. The episode will air this
spring, so stay tuned!