In about 1908, the Bessonneau hangar was designed and manufactured by the French rope and canvas manufacturer Etablissements Bessonneau, headed by Julien Bessonneau (1842–1916) and based at Angers. The hangar, then referred to as a Bessonneau tent, was first used in the area of Maine-et-Loire, and in 1910 specifically employed to protect aircraft participating in a race from Angers to Saumur. In World War I, the design was adopted by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to house aircraft in both Great Britain and France. From about 1917, Bessonneau hangars were increasingly used for temporary protection for RFC aircraft pending construction and development of permanent hangars. They were also extensively used at RFC Aircraft Acceptance Parks, where aircraft were assembled and tested before deliver