Tocumwal Aviation Museum in Tocumwal, New South Wales | Cafe

Tocumwal Aviation Museum

Locality: Tocumwal, New South Wales

Address: Tocumwal Airport 2714 Tocumwal, NSW, Australia

Website: https://www.tocumwalaviationmuseum.com.au

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24.01.2022 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 Officer's 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 th...e oval. The 7 OTU Commanding Officer's reflection of the parade states "The march was very effective, but did not arouse much enthusiasm from the local inhabitants." The end of hostilities didn't 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.

23.01.2022 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 team 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.

23.01.2022 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 location, purpose, size and scale of Tocumwal's air depot wouldn't 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!

22.01.2022 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 following 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 Fe...bruary 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.

22.01.2022 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 cladding 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

17.01.2022 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.

17.01.2022 The future home of the Tocumwal Aviation Museum, a dedicated, purpose built facility to showcase Tocumwal's unique and significant military and civilian aviation heritage.

17.01.2022 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 complete it will house up to 5 historic aircraft, artefacts and memorabilia, exhibition gallery, 28 seat theatre, cafe and gift shop.

17.01.2022 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 years 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-bra...Continue reading

16.01.2022 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 approximat...ely 50 personnel. During it's 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 wasn't 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 1940's and 50's saw RAAF Station Tocumwal cater for the most fragile 1930's and WW2 trainer types including the Tiger Moth and Wackett trainer through to the Air Force's first heavy bomber in the B-24 Liberator and finally the jet-age with the introduction then disposal and destruction of the Air Force's first generation of jet aircraft including de Havilland Vampires and Gloster Meteors. * Photos via ADF Serials and Geoff Goodall sites and their associated credits.

15.01.2022 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, Royal 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 She...ll 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.

15.01.2022 This day in history: 4th of February 1930 "AVIATION DAY AT TOCUMWAL" To mark the inauguration of the Murray Valley Aerial Service, an "Aviation Day" was held at Tocumwal on the 4th of February 1930. ... The Murray Valley Aerial Service would operate between Mildura and Cootamundra via Echuca, Tocumwal, Jerilderie, Berrigan, Urana, Albury, Wagga and Junee. This aerial service would connect towns that were on the major railway routes. Residents took the opportunity to take their first flight in an aircraft on a short local flight to experience what this new form of travel was like. The day was held at the Landing Ground at Hawkins' Paddock. The Hawkins' property had been used throughout the 1920's as a landing ground for aircraft and would later become the aerodrome area of the Tocumwal Air Depot built in 1942 for the United States Army Air Service.

14.01.2022 From the Archives Flashback Friday: This is a small selection of images from a larger collection of photographs taken by the Department of Information at Tocumwal during May 1942 documenting the projects of the Allied Works Council, the Tocumwal Air Depot being the largest project within their program. Further research has identified references to a film titled "Tocumwal Documentary" which was a movie film produced covering the construction of the Tocumwal Air Depot which wo...uld be fascinating viewing and hopefully we can uncover its whereabouts. We continue to delve into historic records and diving down rabbit holes searching for more of Tocumwal's aviation history and heritage.

14.01.2022 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 the 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

14.01.2022 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!

14.01.2022 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

13.01.2022 Tocumwal aviation at its best

13.01.2022 Weve recently posted news articles and reports of the initial construction of the Tocumwal Air Depot during 1942 and have marvelled at the massive undertaking during that period. The next phase of Tocumwal Historic Aerodromes future continues to evolve with further investment and construction in the Tocumwal Residential Airpark with the erection of another hangar in the Airpark today. The original designers, engineers and construction workers of 1942 could only have dreame...d of the materials and machines available today. The foresight of the Berrigan Shire Council to establish the Tocumwal Residential Airpark ensures a sustainable future for this historic aerodrome as well as significant investment in the local community. We look forward to the construction of the Tocumwal Aviation Museum facility in the coming months.

12.01.2022 It’s been a while since we’ve given a building update and that’s mostly because not a lot happened over Christmas and New Year with folks on well deserved holidays. The external structure is now complete and the apron area was concreted today providing aircraft access into the display hangar. We think the late afternoon light and dappled shade looks great on the contrasting colours of the Museum building, we hope you do to!... Due to delays beyond control, we’re looking like a May 2021 timeframe for opening and while plenty of work has been done to get to this point, there’s plenty more to be done.

12.01.2022 This week in history... News reports from January 1943 refer to the acquisition of properties at Tocumwal for Defence projects associated with and including the Tocumwal Air Depot and Aerodrome. The establishment of the largest aerodrome in the Southern Hemisphere at Tocumwal in 1942 required the acquisition of substantional amounts of land. In addition to the air depot and aerodrome area, there was also land acquired for a large ammunition depot, hospital, water tower, util...ities easements, new roads, as well as bombing and gunnery ranges. In all, nearly 30,000 acres was acquired. Initially this land was compulsory occupied and initially leased from property owners by the Army Hirings Department. This remained the case until late 1943 when the properties were eventually acquired by purchase with 50,000 pounds budgeted to cover the purchase of all properties within the air depot and aerodrome area covering approximately 5,100 acres.

11.01.2022 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 will 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.

11.01.2022 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 February 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.

10.01.2022 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.

09.01.2022 As the sign says - coming in 2021! Until then we’ll keep providing regular insights into Tocumwal’s aviation history and heritage. Thanks to Shylie and Graham from Impact Signs for making it real with a sign!

08.01.2022 "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 Doyle's. This was a historic moment uncovered during research for the new Tocumwal Aviation Museum and we're 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 week's "on this day" for some more historic moments uncovered during our ongoing research into Tocumwal's aviation history and heritage.

07.01.2022 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 Australia's 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"

07.01.2022 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 constructed 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 Forde's 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 Forde's 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 Army's 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

07.01.2022 This week we are at the National Archives of Australia in Canberra continuing our research into Tocumwal’s extensive aviation history and heritage. There are hundreds of files and tens of thousands of pages related to the establishment, operation and disposal of RAAF Station Tocumwal, many of which have been digitised and used for our research to date but there are many more files which have not been digitised or accessed since being placed into storage. We continue to find fascinating and intriguing snippets of history at Tocumwal and look forward to sharing all this and more when we open in early 2021.

07.01.2022 While we’re currently focussed on researching Tocumwal’s aviation past, we’re as focussed and committed to the present and future of aviation here at Tocumwal with regular flying activities including spectacular sunset flights like this tonight in our former US Air Force and Vietnam veteran Cessna O-1G Birddog. You might’ve also seen the RAAF Heritage Trainers formation display team practicing in the skies above and around Tocumwal on the weekend in their former RAAF CT-4A Airtrainers otherwise affectionately known as Parrots.

06.01.2022 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 fabrication 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.

06.01.2022 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 halfway 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 cha...nging 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 it's 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.

06.01.2022 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 service 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 1950's including ANA and Southern Airlines.... Do you or a family member remember these early airline services at Tocumwal?

05.01.2022 As the sign says - coming in 2021! Until then well keep providing regular insights into Tocumwals aviation history and heritage. Thanks to Shylie and Graham from Impact Signs for making it real with a sign!

02.01.2022 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 before 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 C...urtin 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 Minister's 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.