RAAF Station Schofields

RAAF Station Schofields was an aerodrome built by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) between 1942-1944 at Schofields, New South Wales, Australia during World War II.

The aerodrome was constructed for use as a satellite aerodrome for RAAF Station Richmond. Identified as a base for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm of the British Pacific Fleet on 5 February 1945 and commissioned as HMS Nabthorpe, later renamed HMS Nabstock. HMS Nabstock was decommissioned on 9 June 1946 and the aerodrome was returned to RAAF control.

In 1949, part of the aerodrome was utilised to house migrants, some 21 huts being outfitted as accommodation for 300 people, known as Schofields Migrant Hostel. the migrant hostel closed on 4 February 1951.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) opened a RAN Aircraft Repair Yard (RANARY), following the formation of the RAN Fleet Air Arm at the aerodrome in 1951, and was known as HMAS ALBATROSS II, RANARY Schofields. In January 1952, the RAAF transferred control of the base to the RAN, however the RAAF remained in residence until leaving in September 1952. The RAAF transport and fighter units moved to the larger bases at RAAF Base Richmond and RAAF Base Williamtown.

Commissioned as HMAS Nirimba on 1 April 1953 as a joint RANARY and technical training establishment for RAN Fleet Air Arm. HMAS Nirimba decommissioned on 25 February 1994. The aerodrome at Schofields had been operating as a civil field for many years until it too finally closed to flying in 1994. It was the venue of Australia’s first international Air Show on 8 November 1977, the Schofields Jubilee Air Show attracting up to 300 aircraft, and exhibits from around the world.

Schofields, now titled Schofields Defence Depot, was used as a rehearsal ground for the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games held in Sydney. A Wall & Rose Garden Memorial to the Armed forces that have occupied the area in the past has been dedicated on the site and a Commemorative Plaque was erected on the site by The Naval Historical Society of Australia.

In the late 1950s the aerodrome was used as a venue for motor racing by several Sydney car clubs, with the opening meeting taking place on the 6th of July 1958.[1] The circuit used was approximately 2.5 miles in length, and used one main runway and an access road in a roughly oval shape.[2] While fast and open, the temporary nature of the track meant that volunteer officials had to set up and dismantle facilities such as grandstands, covered pits and timing towers all on the same day.[1] The last meeting was in 1959, after which the base was re-commissioned as HMAS Nirimba.[2]

In 2005 the aerodrome was used during the filming of "Stealth" an American military science fiction action feature film starring Josh Lucas, Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx and Sam Shepard.

The aerodrome has since now been dismantled and removed, leaving the aerodrome area of HMAS Nirimba with just some old and weathered tarmac.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Walker, Terry (1995). Fast Tracks - Australia's Motor Racing Tracks: 1904-1995. Wahroonga, NSW: Turton & Armstrong. p. 148. ISBN 0908031556.
  2. 1 2 Galpin, Darren. "Schofields". GEL Motorsport Information Page. Retrieved 3 April 2016.

Coordinates: 33°42′49″S 150°52′16″E / 33.71361°S 150.87111°E / -33.71361; 150.87111

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