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25.01.2022 From little things, big things grow! The team at Katty East Engineering are making great progress with the frame for the new Tocumwal Aviation Museum. Once com...plete it will house up to 5 historic aircraft, artefacts and memorabilia, exhibition gallery, 28 seat theatre, cafe and gift shop. See more

25.01.2022 We're wrapping up our research tour to Canberra today at the National Library of Australia. The National Library collection contains thousands of aerial images ...taken prior to and regularly during the construction of the Tocumwal Air Depot. There are also imagery sets which are taken at regular intervals during the RAAF operations at the base until 1960. This is the pre-internet version of Google Earth for those keen to explore what their area looked like from the air.

24.01.2022 Then and now, historic images taken at Tocumwal during and after WW2 alongside images of the same aircraft types taken during the 2019 Tocumwal Airshow. These historic images were inspirational in the development and planning for the Airshow.

22.01.2022 These Cessna O-1 Birddogs are veterans of the Vietnam conflict having served with the US Army and US Air Force respectively. The Birddog was used in combat for artillery spotting, observation and Forward Air Control. The aircraft flown at the 2019 Tocumwal Airshow were recovered from Vietnam essentially as wrecks in 1989 by the late Col Pay and the projects sold and subsequently restored to flight.

22.01.2022 On this day: 25 July 1949 RAAF Care and Maintenance Unit (CMU) Tocumwal, which was the unit established after WW2 to manage RAAF Station Tocumwal, was disbanded... and replaced by a detachment of Number 1 Aircraft Depot (1 AD) which was headquartered at RAAF Laverton in Victoria. 1AD Detachment B, as it was known, was formed on 25 July 1949 and would remain at Tocumwal until the closure of the RAAF station on the 14th of October 1960. The unit operated with a staff of approximately 50 personnel. During its 12 years of operation, 1 AD Detachment B was responsible for management of the base and oversaw the storage and disposal of hundreds of surplus buildings, nearly 1000 aircraft, thousands of aircraft engines and spare parts. The unit was also responsible for salvaging usable components, including engines, instruments, radios and armament from surplus aircraft which were to be disposed of and scrapped. Their work wasnt all about storage and disposal, during the 1950s the unit was responsible for servicing Air force aircraft which were still using Tocumwal for training and transport. The unit was also involved in restoring and converting aircraft which had been stored for disposal to be used once again in training and operational roles. This included Wirraways which would go on to continue in a flying training capacity and Mustangs which would go to serve with reserve squadrons in each of the major capital cities. The unit also prepared Mustangs which would go on to be used in atomic weapon tests at the Emu atomic test range in South Australia. The work of 1AD Detachment B effectively spanned two wars, overseeing the storage and disposal of surplus WW2 aircraft and components in the late 1940s and early 1950s followed by the storage and disposal of aircraft which served during the Korean War. The rapid advancement of aviation technology during the 1940s and 50s saw RAAF Station Tocumwal cater for the most fragile 1930s and WW2 trainer types including the Tiger Moth and Wackett trainer through to the Air Forces first heavy bomber in the B-24 Liberator and finally the jet-age with the introduction then disposal and destruction of the Air Forces first generation of jet aircraft including de Havilland Vampires and Gloster Meteors. * Photos via ADF Serials and Geoff Goodall sites and their associated credits.

21.01.2022 Ride along with Paul as he puts the Mustang through its paces during the 2019 Tocumwal Airshow!

21.01.2022 Buried treasure at Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome! Not exactly unfortunately! While preparing the apron area in front of the display hangar entrance, the grader di...d uncover a concrete pit underneath the existing bitumen apron. Examination of engineering plans from 1944 show this was the site of 2 toilet blocks and a septic tank and that’s what was uncovered. There are many remnants of the infrastructure and buildings which made up part of the 6,000 acre aerodrome area still out there today. Can you identify any?

21.01.2022 The Royal Australian Air Force operated the Mk3 Auster primarily in the Pacific theatre during WW2 for observation, liaison and transport roles. Many of these aircraft were sent to Tocumwal for disposal after the war including the silver aircraft that participated in the 2019 Tocumwal Airshow which sat idle at RAAF Station Tocumwal for a number of years alongside hundreds of other surplus military aircraft that were to be sold or scrapped.

19.01.2022 Is Fast Forward Friday a thing? It feels like it with the pace at which the team from Katty East Engineering are working! The structure is complete and cladd...ing of the walls is close to completion and we’re on track for practical completion before Christmas followed by a few months of fitting out and still hoping for an opening in March 2021 See more

19.01.2022 Progress report on the construction of the new #tocumwalaviationmuseum at the Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome. Chris and the team from Katty East Engineering have ...prepared the site in preparation for the digging of footings. It’s exciting to see such progress, look forward to further updates as the construction continues

19.01.2022 Today commemorates 75 years since the unconditional surrender by the Japanese, marking the end of hostilities in the Pacific theatre and the end of World War 2.... The attached Operations Log Books for the RAAF Station Tocumwal HQ and 7 Operational Training Unit (OTU) reflect the respective Commanding Officers entries for the period. On the 16th of August 1945, all personnel not on duty that day participated in a victory march from the RAAF Station into town and a parade at the oval. The 7 OTU Commanding Officers reflection of the parade states "The march was very effective, but did not arouse much enthusiasm from the local inhabitants." The end of hostilities didnt immediately impact on operations or activity at RAAF Station Tocumwal. Training and maintenance activities continued and the workers of 7 Aircraft Depot were soon to begin converting B-24 Liberators from their heavy bomber configuration to a cargo configuration capable of supporting the mass repatriation of Australian troops and Prisoners of War from many locations throughout the South West Pacific area of operations. The high level of activity and operational tempo at Tocumwal would remain through to the end of 1945 before the mass demobilisation of military forces commenced. * Parade images via the THAM Collection, Operation Record Books via the National Archives.

18.01.2022 Building on the success, enthusiasm and interest of the 2019 Tocumwal Airshow, we're excited to announce a new permanent tourism attraction which is being developed in partnership with the Berrigan Shire Council and anticipated to open in early 2021!

17.01.2022 We opened the show with a parachutist descending with the Australian flag. One of the first flying activities that took place at Tocumwal in late 1942 was the establishment of the Air Force Paratroop Training Unit.

16.01.2022 Building on the success, enthusiasm and interest of the 2019 Tocumwal Airshow, were excited to announce a new permanent tourism attraction which is being developed in partnership with the Berrigan Shire Council and anticipated to open in early 2021!

16.01.2022 This day in history... 14 October 2020 marks 60 years since the Royal Australian Air Force lowered the RAAF ensign for the final time marking the end of 18 year...s Air Force occupation and operations at Tocumwal. To commemorate that event, a flag raising ceremony was held with representatives from RAAF Wagga raising the Air Force Ensign at 10:15, exactly 60 years to the day and minute since it was lowered, with representation by the Berrigan Shire Council, Tocumwal RSL Sub-branch, Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome Museum and members of the Murray Border Flying Club who also conducted a flypast for the ceremony. Fittingly the Tocumwal RSL Sub-branch President Alf Grayson brought with him the original Air Force Ensign which was presented to the Tocumwal community following the closure of the base. The Royal Australian Air Force took over the Tocumwal Air Depot on the 14th of November 1942 following the rapid departure of U.S. Forces who had occupied the base since May 1942. The first RAAF unit to be based at Tocumwal was the RAAF Station Tocumwal Headquarters and the final unit was a detachment of the Number 1 Aircraft Depot which was located at RAAF Base Laverton in Melbourne’s western suburbs. During it’s 18 years of operations at Tocumwal, there were 18 separate RAAF units or squadrons that served here including RAAF Station Tocumwal Headquarters, Number 14 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depot, Paratroop Training Unit, Number 7 Aircraft Depot, Number 13 Air Repair Depot, Number 2 Recruit Depot, Number 5 RAAF Hospital, Number 5 Operational Training Unit, Number 7 Operational Training Unit, Number 7 Central Recovery Depot, 82 Wing Headquarters, 21 Squadron, 23 Squadron, 24 Squadron, 99 Squadron, Number 4 Repair & Salvage Unit, Care & Maintenance Unit Tocumwal and Number 1 Aircraft Depot - Detachment B. It is estimated over 30,000 RAAF personnel served at RAAF Station Tocumwal during that 18 year period with the peak population of RAAF personnel occurring in March 1945 when 5243 personnel were stationed here. Over 2000 aircraft were serviced, repaired, salvaged, stored or disposed of throughout the operations at Tocumwal, commencing with early single piston engine WW2 types through to the largest and most complex 4 engine heavy bombers and culminating in the disposal and scrapping of surplus aircraft which had served during the Korean War, including the RAAF’s first jet aircraft the Vampire and Meteor. There were 29 major aircraft accidents involving aircraft operating at or from Tocumwal resulting in the death of 10 airman. A further 16 personnel from the RAAF and Army lost their lives while serving at RAAF Tocumwal. The establishment of the largest military base in the southern hemisphere in 1942 transformed Tocumwal forever. Town infrastructure including roads, railways, power, water and sewer were all implemented to cater for the massive scale of operations which turned a quiet country town of 1000 people to a bustling metropolis of over 6000 people in a matter of a couple of years. When the RAAF left in 1960, there was little remaining of the base which was for many years their largest. The majority of the 600 buildings had been disposed of and removed and the aerodrome relatively silent compared to the goings on of the previous 19 years. While many of the personnel who served here have passed, their service and sacrifice will always be remembered and the aerodrome and the remaining structures and infrastructure, which continue to be utilized by Tocumwal residents and visitors, will serve as a constant reminder to a period where Tocumwal was home to the largest RAAF base in its 99 year history

15.01.2022 The burden of being Prime Minister during the darkest days of the Second World War took its toll on the health of John Curtin. On 5 July 1945, just six weeks be...fore the Japanese surrender, Curtin died at The Lodge. After a short period of lying in state, his memorial service was held in Kings Hall, Parliament House. His body was taken by gun carriage to RAAF Station Canberra and flown to his hometown of Perth on a RAAF Dakota A65-71. On this day, the 7th of July 1945, Mrs Curtin and their son SGT John Curtin flew from Canberra to Perth via a single stop at Tocumwal to attend the funeral service for the late Prime Minister. There was a breakfast and service held at Tocumwal for the family and accompanying dignitaries and was attended by the 4500 personnel stationed at RAAF Station Tocumwal. This aircraft that flew the Prime Ministers remains to Perth is now held by the Australian War Memorial and the Tocumwal Aviation Museum is privileged to have components of this aircraft (Dakota A65-71) in its collection which will be on display when the museum opens in early 2021.

15.01.2022 For nearly 50 years Tocumwal has been a hub for gliding from the iconic Sportavia hangar. Lumpy Paterson is keeping that history alive and pushing into the future demonstrating his remarkable jet I powered JS3 glider, a type that always makes you look twice...is it a jet or is it a glider?!

12.01.2022 "Aeroplane at Tocumwal" On this day... On the 12th of September 1919 the Tocumwal Guardian reported on the first Aeroplane to ever be sighted or visit Tocumwal.... The Aeroplane, an Avro 504 of the Australian Flying Corps flown by Flight Commander Frederick Huxley MC, was touring the Southern Riverina and northern Victoria as part of the Governments Peace Loan promotion. Flight Commander Huxley was awarded the Military Cross for his service during WW1 and was also the first Australian to record an air to air combat victory. As the article notes, the aircraft circled Tocumwal numerous times dropping Peace Loan leaflets and also made a stop at the Woodsome Lees property of Mr J Doyles. This was a historic moment uncovered during research for the new Tocumwal Aviation Museum and were glad we were inadvertently able celebrate the Centenary of that event during the 2019 Tocumwal Airshow held this weekend last year This time next year we will be in final preparations for the 2021 Tocumwal Airshow which will celebrate and commemorate further Centenary events including the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Air Force. Stay tuned for next weeks "on this day" for some more historic moments uncovered during our ongoing research into Tocumwals aviation history and heritage.

12.01.2022 They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We wi...ll remember them. Today we remember those who died or suffered for Australia's cause in all wars and armed conflicts and especially those from Tocumwal who never returned home and those service personnel that died at Tocumwal during their WW2 service and are interred at the Commonwealth War Graves section of the Tocumwal Cemetery.

12.01.2022 Tocumwal aviation at its best

11.01.2022 The skies of Tocumwal are full of colour and smoke coming from many controlled burns in bush parks and farms happening at the moment. The opportunity to be airborne and see this from a different perspective is simply spectacular.

11.01.2022 This day in history...is today! A significant milestone achieved today with Chris from Katty East Engineering beginning to move earth on the museum site and fa...brication work on the building structure has commenced in their workshop. The site will be busy with construction activity until the practical completion of the facility which is scheduled for early December. We’ll be posting regular updates with progress pics as the facility takes shape.

11.01.2022 On this day...23rd of June 1942, more press coverage in the Sydney Morning Herald of "the greatest aerodrome Australia has ever seen". The details of the locati...on, purpose, size and scale of Tocumwals air depot wouldnt be made public until after end of WW2, but anyone in this little bush town and the region would have been in no doubt about what was happening and where! See more

10.01.2022 Aerial application or crop dusting has a long history at Tocumwal and we were fortunate to have some historic Australian designed and built aerial application aircraft at the 2019 Tocumwal Airshow with the Hazair Pty Ltd Transavia Airtruk and the Classic Air CAC Ceres

10.01.2022 On this day 78 years ago, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on "Australias Biggest Aerodrome" being built on the outskirts of a little bush town "somewhere in... Australia". That "somewhere" was of course Tocumwal but due to the SECRET nature of the project and National Security Regulations during the war, the location and other details could not be reported on and wouldnt be until after the end of WW2. See more

09.01.2022 Another Air Tractor operated and demonstrated by Field Air, the 802 conducting a water bombing drop used for aerial fire fighting.

09.01.2022 This week in history. Number 5 RAAF Hospital which was formed on the 15th of July 1943 begins operating from the hospital site on Barooga Road, approximately ha...lfway between Tocumwal and Barooga. The establishment of 5 RAAF Hosptial consisted of approximately 90 personnel including both medical and supporting trades such as drivers, clerks, boiler attendants, cooks and mess attendants. The construction of the hospital was planned for use by the U.S. Army Air Corps but the changing operational situation in 1942 and rapid relocation of U.S. forces north left the hospital construction incomplete and the site never used. Despite not completing or using the facility, the U.S. Forces maintained a "right to use" and so it was unavailable to the RAAF. As a result, the RAAF constructed a separate hospital and aid station at the Tocumwal aerodrome complete with operating theatres and ambulance and was operated under the RAAF Station Tocumwal Headquarters command When the U.S. Forces relinquished their rights to the Barooga Road facility, Number 5 RAAF Hospital was established and accommodated at the still incomplete facility. During its period of operation between August 1943 and eventual closure in April 1946, 5 RAAF Hospital admitted over 4,600 patients at an average of 145 patients admitted per month. The site of the hospital is still visible from the air and remnants of some buildings and infrastructure still remain. The site is marked with a historic marker established by the Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome Museum committee. Photos via THAM, State Library of Victoria, 5 RAAF Hospital Unit History Sheets.

08.01.2022 This day in history: Imagine being able to fly on an airline from Tocumwal to Sydney or Melbourne...well from the 13th of August 1951 you could. A new air ser...vice operated by Australian National Airlines (ANA) commenced using Douglas DC-3 Skyliner aircraft following approval for civilian airlines to use the RAAF Station Tocumwal aerodrome. This was to become the first of a number of airlines that operated through Tocumwal in the 1950s including ANA and Southern Airlines. Do you or a family member remember these early airline services at Tocumwal?

08.01.2022 The Civil Construction Corps camp at Tocumwal. Approximately 2,700 men of the Civil Construction Corps were involved in the construction of the Tocumwal Air Dep...ot between February and October 1942. This army of civilian workers quadrupled the population of Tocumwal and needed somewhere to live, eat and relax. Where did they house so many men? A dedicated camp was established on the north-west of what is now the corner of McCullochs Road and Thorburns Road. The attached aerial images taken in August and September 1942 shows the size and scale of the camp. The other images are from the a report prepared in 1943 covering the activities undertaken by the Allied Works Council and Civil Construction Corps between 1942 and 1943 and show typical scenes of camp life.

06.01.2022 Edward Cranstone (1903-1989) worked as a photographer for the Department of Information in the photography unit of the RAAF during World War II. His photographs... were used by the government to publicise Australias war effort in newspapers and exhibitions. In particular, he documented the work of the Allied Works Council (AWC) and the Civil Construction Corps (CCC) including the construction of the Tocumwal Air Depot captured in his collection called "Southern Dromes"

06.01.2022 This week in history - July 1943: "That Famous Line" and a Royal Commission. There are many stories told about the reasons the largest aerodrome ever constructe...d in Australia was located at Tocumwal and many of these stories reference the so-called "Brisbane Line". This was an alleged strategy for the defence of Australia which concentrated defence efforts on an imaginary line running between Brisbane and Melbourne and effectively abandoning the remainder of Australia to the rapidly advancing Japanese forces. A strategy position was developed by Lt-Gen Iven Mackay (later Sir Iven Mackay) who, at the time, was the Commander in Charge of Home Forces and the defence of mainland Australia. In his strategy position it was proposed to concentrate Australian forces in defendable areas and references were made to the south-eastern corner of Australia running from from Brisbane to Adelaide and/or Melbourne. Lt-Gen Mackay submitted this strategy paper to Mr F. M. Forde, Minister for the Army on the 4th of February 1942. On receiving and reviewing the proposed strategy, Minister Fordes response was such that he found the consideration of such strategies as "so disturbing that I refer them to War Cabinet". The recommendation of War Cabinet, based on Minister Fordes recommendation, was that "action immediately be taken to provide for the the adequate defence of the whole of the populated area of Australia against landing or invasion by the enemy". This "Brisbane Line" strategy, and the politics surrounding it, became the subject of a Royal Commission in June 1943, which, among other findings, confirmed there was in fact no "Brisbane Line" strategy employed or adopted by the Australian government or Allied Forces in Australia and that the whole of Australia was to be defended leveraging the capability, capacity and might of U.S. forces which were rapidly being deployed to Australia. Regarding the selection of Tocumwal as the location for a major aerodrome and aircraft depot (which was initially planned for Townsville then Geelong), as reported in July 1943, Tocumwal was selected, not due to its position on the so-called "Brisbane Line", but due to its distance from water-borne attack and its position as a terminal for the NSW-VIC railway systems and not the primary Albury rail terminal which was already being used to capacity. The attached are extracts of the Minister for Armys submission to the War Cabinet and news articles written in early July 1943 following the conclusion of the Royal Commission. The Australian War Memorial provides a valuable summary of the "Brisbane Line" episode on their website: https://www.awm.gov.au//encycloped/homefront/brisbane_line

05.01.2022 Our friends at the Tocumwal Soaring Centre in conjunction with the Berrigan Shire Council have prepared a range of promotional material which highlight and showcase the significant heritage and exciting future of aviation at Tocumwals historic aerodrome. The team at Tocumwal Airshow is proud to have contributed to the production and are using the current circumstances we all find ourselves in to accelerate the planning for the 2021 Tocumwal Airshow, which will once again celebrate our local aviation history and also commemorate the Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force.

05.01.2022 The weather gods were kind with lighter winds today which made it possible for the team at Katty East Engineering to get the entire roof completed today. The t...eam have done a great job of insulating and cladding in fairly windy conditions the past week but the majority of cladding work is complete with only the northern end and hangar doors remaining. See more

05.01.2022 On this day... On Friday the 4th of September 1942 the Tocumwal Guardian and Narrandera Argus report on the exodus of construction workers and machinery followi...ng the practical completion of the aerodrome and associated buildings, roads, railway sidings and utilities infrastructure including water, sewer and power. The population of Tocumwal quadrupled within months when up to 2,700 workers of the Allied Works Council and Civil Construction Corps descended upon the town in February and March 1942 to build what was later reported as the greatest engineering feat ever undertaken in Australia and the largest aerodrome in the Southern Hemisphere. It was only 6 months earlier the papers reported on the beginnings of the works highlighting the speed and scale of the works prompted by the threat of invasion of the Japanese as the imperial forces continued their rapid invasions through the South West Pacific.

04.01.2022 In July 1943, the Allied Works Council prepared a secret report for War Cabinet to highlight the scope and scale of projects undertaken by the AWC between Febru...ary 1942 and June 1943. Described as "the most spectacular item in the whole programme", the scale of the Tocumwal Air Depot is of course included in this report in full detail.

04.01.2022 If you missed the 2019 Tocumwal Airshow and wondering what you missed out on or want to re-live the action if you were there, we are fortunate to have had many talented writers and photographers who captured the event including our friends at Aviation Spotters Online and the fantastic images weve been sharing from Duncan Fenn Photography. Planning is already underway for the 2021 Tocumwal Airshow which will coincide with the centenary year of the Royal Australian Air Force.

04.01.2022 This weekend we’re supporting our friends at the Temora Aviation Museum for their Air Force Centenary Showcase weekend with our CA-25 Winjeel leading the RAAF H...eritage Trainers Formation Display Team and our O-1G Birddog participating in the Vietnam era display. This is the first major airshow of the year with many more to come as we look forward to our own Tocumwal Airshow which will be held on the 18th of September 2021 where we will also help the Air Force celebrate their centenary, 79 years after the Air Force took over the Tocumwal Air Depot from the U.S. Army Air Corps and established RAAF Station Tocumwal.

03.01.2022 All in a days work...literally! Chris and the team from Katty East Engineering did some heavy lifting today getting started on the core frame structure. It’s getting real now!

03.01.2022 Modern aerial application types operated and demonstrated by Field Air at the 2019 Tocumwal Airshow included this Air Tractor 402 doing a spray run over the canola.

03.01.2022 On this day... The 14th of September 2019 saw the inaugural Tocumwal Airshow take place under perfect Spring skies and against a backdrop of golden Canola at th...e Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome. The event attracted over 5000 visitors and formed part of the vision for the Tocumwal Aviation Museum, showcasing and highlighting the aviation history and heritage of Tocumwal and the region. The Tocumwal Airshow will return on the 18th of September 2021. Amazing imagery courtesy of Duncan Fenn Photography

02.01.2022 Have you ever wondered where all the aircraft that operated at RAAF Station Tocumwal during WW2 got their fuel from? In 1939, with the commencement of WW2, Roya...l Australian Air Force (RAAF) identified the necessity to increase bulk storage and supply of aviation fuel across Australia for the purpose of defending Australia. A total of 31 Inland Aircraft Fuel Depots were constructed throughout Australia. In 1942 the largest of these, Number 14 IAFD, built at Tocumwal by the Shell Oil Company, to serve strategic needs and those of the air depot under construction. The facility was capable of storing 1.84 million Imperial Gallons of fuel in 6 massive storage tanks, equating to 8.4 million Litres in today's measure. In 1944 the operation of the depot transferred from the RAAF to the Vacuum Oil Company which later became Mobil. The site for the fuel depot was located so as to make use of the expanded rail network with separate rail sidings constructed for trains carrying fuel from refineries in Sydney and Melbourne to be able to be parked and unloaded without interruption to the rail siding constructed in the depot stores area. Today little remains of the fuel depot, which is at the very end of Murray St, but the site still shows visible signs of its layout when viewed from the air.

02.01.2022 On this day 78 years ago, the Sydney Morning Herald reported on "Australia's Biggest Aerodrome" being built on the outskirts of a little bush town "somewhere in... Australia". That "somewhere" was of course Tocumwal but due to the SECRET nature of the project and National Security Regulations during the war, the location and other details could not be reported on and wouldn't be until after the end of WW2. See more

01.01.2022 There’s a new historical attraction in Tocumwal and it is already turning heads before it’s even ready to open. Construction of the long-awaited Tocumwal Aviation Museum is almost completed, with director Matt Henderson confident of a June opening.

01.01.2022 The team at Tocumwal Airshow have used the current hibernation period to get the planning and preparation under way and are excited to announce the date for the 2021 show - save the date for Saturday the 18th of September 2021 where we once again showcase the aviation heritage of Tocumwal and the region as well as commemorate the Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force. SAVE. THE. DATE.