Caversham Airfield, also known as Middle Swan Airfield was an airfield constructed at
Caversham, Western Australia during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
as a parent aerodrome for use by the
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...
's
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is the naval aviation component of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy (RN). The FAA is one of five :Fighting Arms of the Royal Navy, RN fighting arms. it is a primarily helicopter force, though also operating the Lockhee ...
and the
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...
.
[OzatWar Website]
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The airfield had a triangle of three landing strips.[
Middle Swan was the parent airfield with the following satellite airfields:
*Beverley
*Bindoon
*Gingin North
* Mooliabeenee
The ]United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) was the aerial warfare service component of the United States Army between 1926 and 1941. After World War I, as early aviation became an increasingly important part of modern warfare, a philosophical ri ...
also utilised the airfield during World War II.
It was also a gliding club location after the war.
Motor racing circuit
The airfield was later utilised as a motor racing circuit, hosting its first event in 1946.[ Pedr Davis, The Macquarie Dictionary of Motoring, page 78] In 1956 the Western Australia Sporting Car Club gained a lease for the property, which was then converted into a permanent circuit.[ It became Western Australia's premier motor racing venue, hosting the Australian Grand Prix in ]1957
Events January
* January 1 – The Saarland joins West Germany.
* January 3 – Hamilton Watch Company introduces the first electric watch.
* January 5 – South African player Russell Endean becomes the first batsman to be Dismissal (cricke ...
and 1962
The year saw the Cuban Missile Crisis, which is often considered the closest the world came to a Nuclear warfare, nuclear confrontation during the Cold War.
Events January
* January 1 – Samoa, Western Samoa becomes independent from Ne ...
[ Racing activities ceased when the airfield was re-activated as a military facility for radio communications,][ and Western Australian racing shifted to Wanneroo Raceway in 1969.][
]
See also
* List of airports in Western Australia
* Aviation transport in Australia
Notes
References
Further reading
* Lance Muir, Richard Duckworth, N. Hyde, (1946?) ''Flight without power – the art in Australia'' ideorecording videocassette (VHS) (12 min., 2 sec.) : si., col. with b&w sequences ; 1/2 in. PAL format tate Film Archives collectionShowing the activities of gliding clubs in the various Australian states. Shows local enthusiast, Ric New, and activities at the bases of operations at Lake Pinjar (Pinjar Soaring Club), West Subiaco (WA Flying Club) and Caversham (Perth Gliding Club) in 1941 and 1946. WA segment is appr. 3 mins.
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Motorsport venues in Western Australia
World War II airfields in Australia
Defunct airports in Western Australia
Australian Grand Prix
Sports venues completed in 1946
Defunct motorsport venues in Australia