Tasmania's Aviation Heritage

A.N.A. Terminal building/hangar and Bellman hangar, Western Junction, c1950. Courtesy Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

The contribution that Tasmania has made to the development of aviation in Australia has often been overlooked. For Tasmania it was not so much the tyranny of distance but rather the unpredictable waters of Bass Strait that drove the development of aviation

Initially the development of aviation in Tasmania was similar to elsewhere in Australia with novelty demonstrations before World War 1, returning airmen and aircraft after World War1 and their attempt to provide mail and passenger services and the establishment of the first proper airfields such as that at Western Junction in 1931

The great age of Tasmanian aviation was to commence in the following year with the establishment of Flinders Island Airways which competed directly with Holyman’s ships. This competition prompted Holyman to also begin an air service and in the following year both amalgamated to form Tasmanian Aerial Services, which in turn became Holyman Airways and then Australian National Airlines, the nations largest airline in 1939

The difficulties of flying over Bass Strait prompted many advances including the first use of air radios, the earliest installation of air navigation equipment and the introduction of all metal aircraft manufactured in the United States of America. This in turn saw the first use of cabin staff by A.N.A., only the second airline in the world to do so

Despite the dramatic changes in aviation since World War II and the demands this has placed on the operation of Tasmania’s major airports there still remain some buildings that were built as part of the golden age of Tasmanian aviation. These include the Tasmanian Aerial Services hangar at Western Junction built in 1933, the A.N.A. hangar built at Cambridge in 1935 and the Aero Club hangar built there soon after

Flight at Elphin Showground , Launceston, 1914. Courtesy Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

This small touring exhibition aims to provide an introduction to Tasmania’s aviation heritage and in particular the built heritage associated with this most important element of Tasmania’s history

Aerial Pageant at Western Junction with newly constructed Tasmanian Aerial Services hangar which also has the name Holyman clearly painted over the hangar entrance, 1933.

The Beginning
The need for a proper aerodrome to replace the variety of landing grounds being used around Launceston was an important factor in the formation of the Tasmanian Section of the Australian Aero Club in 1927. Lobbying of the Commonwealth Government by the Aero Club led to the Department of Defence choosing and purchasing a site at Western Junction near Launceston in 1928

In August 1930 the Commonwealth Government called for tenders for the construction of a hangar for the Aero Club while soon after tenders were called for a Club House designed by Frank Heyward. Both buildings were completed by November when the first of the Club’s two Gipsy Moth aircraft were assembled and flown. Foundation member of the Club, Victor Holyman presented the flagpole which originally came from the Holyman ship S.S. Toroa which was wrecked off Rabbit Island in the Furneaux Group in 1916

Aero Club clubhouse designed by Frank Heyward with flagpole which was originally the mast of the steamship SS Toroa, 1931. Courtesy Tasmanian Aero Club collection

Western Junction Aerodrome, now Launceston Airport was officially opened on 28th February 1931 and the event was marked by Tasmania’s first Air Pageant attended by more than 20,000 people. Even before this in January the first commercial airliner operated by Kingsford – Smith’s Australian National Airlines had arrived from Melbourne

Aerial pageant at Western Junction with the newly constructed Tasmanian Aerial Services hangar to the south of the Aero Club hangar and club house, 1933

Holyman Airways
The establishment of Flinders Island Airways in 1932 operating in competition with Holyman’s shipping services prompted Holyman’s to commence their own air service. Both airlines amalgamated later in the year to form Tasmanian Aerial Services which began services to Melbourne in 1933. Tasmanian Aerial Services also constructed a large wooden framed galvanised iron clad hangar for their own use and this is now the oldest surviving building at Western Junction

Aero Club hangar with the Clubs first aircraft De Havilland Gypsy Moth VH-ULM, November 1930 Courtesy Tasmanian Aero Club collection

The following year, 1934 saw the airlines aircraft “Miss Launceston” become the first Australian airline aircraft to be equipped with two-way radio. In July the airline changed its name to Holyman Airways as part of a company restructure

A major development in 1935 was the construction of one of the first two air navigation installations in Australia a Direction Finding Facility. This was prompted by the continuing challenging conditions presented by flying across Bass Strait

A series of aircraft accidents saw Ivan Holyman lobby to have the ban on the importation of American built commercial airliners lifted. In 1936 Holyman imported the first all metal passenger aircraft to Australia. The DC- 2 “Bungana” entered service on the Bass Strait service in May just as the name of the airline changed to Australian National Airlines. Soon after the second DC-2 “Loongana” entered service and the airlines services now extended from Sydney to Perth as well as across Bass Strait

The Art Deco styled Holyman House Launceston designed by Roy Smith and built in 1936

Further improvements to air navigation were made with construction in 1939 of a 33Mc Lorenz radio range system with its distinct mast

Holyman House is Launceston is a symbol of their aviation success. Built in 1936 this fine Art Deco building was designed by Roy Smith and remains today a prominent building in Launceston’s commercial streetscape

An aerial view of Western Junction in 1944 showing the extensive array of buildings and structures established for the Flying Training School

Following the outbreak of World War II in 1939 the Royal Australian Air Force took over the operation of Western Junction and civil flying did not resume until 1946. The establishment No 7 Elementary Flying Training School saw a dramatic expansion in the level of both flying and building activity at the airfield. A wide range of buildings and structures to provide for the School’s activities were constructed including barracks, mess, hospital and hangars while existing buildings were also used

A number of Bellman hangars were constructed along the western side of the airfield. These easily transportable steel framed and corrugated clad buildings were produced by Lysaght in considerable numbers from 1939 and were a feature of many training airfields throughout the country

The operation of the School also saw a number of secondary airfields were established including those at Valleyfield, Quorn Hall, Tunbridge, Nile and Low Head as well as Pats River on Flinders Island

A Link Trainer is use at the Flying Training School at Western Junction, 1941. Photo courtesy State Library of Victoria

Following the war tenders were invited for the sale of many of the De Havilland Tiger Moths used by the School while 3 of the Bellman hangars were given to the Aero Club in appreciation for its help during the war. While one was relocated closer to the Evandale Road in 1961 the other two were moved to Wynyard and Devonport airports

During the 1950’s Australian National Airlines continued to use the original Tasmanian Aerial Services hangar as its terminal and an extension was built on the northern side for passenger use. Many of the former military building continued to be used for a range of purposes

The present Tasmanian Aero Club clubhouse is one the few remaining military buildings remaining at Western Junction. It replaced the former clubhouse which was removed from the airport to Oatlands. Courtesy David Barrett

The Air Traffic Control Tower one of the oldest surviving such buildings in Australia. Courtesy David Barrett

In 1953 construction of the present Air Traffic Control Tower commenced and it is now one of the oldest surviving such structures in the country

In 1962 planning commenced for the construction of a new airport terminal building to meet the demands of expanding air services. The construction of the new terminal building saw the demolition of many of the World War II buildings remaining at the airport

A panorama of Western Junction in 1962 before the construction of the new terminal commenced

In 1966 the new terminal building was opened by Senator Denham Henty who had been the Federal Minister for Civil Aviation from 1964 until early 1966. The impressive terminal building was surrounded by equally impressive gardens with more than 20,000 plants was designed by noted Australian landscape architect Mervyn Twynham Davis. A feature of these gardens were the extensive rhododendron plantings

In 1998 the Australian Government privatised the airport and a long term lease was taken up by Australia Pacific Airports (Launceston) Pty Ltd. Since then use of the airport has increased dramatically requiring a continuing program of facility improvement

Current terminal. Courtesy Australian Pacific Airports (Launceston) Pty. Ltd

Ansett Airways Douglas DC-3 with Pioneer bus at Cambridge. Photo State Library of Tasmania

The Beginning
Elwick Showgrounds were the site of the first aircraft landings in Hobart in 1914 and were used until 1930 when Kingsford Smith’s Australian National Airways identified part of the Somerville Estate at Brighton as being suitable for use as an airfield. In 1931, ANA commenced regular airline services from Brighton while the Tasmanian Aero Club also extended its activities to Brighton in the same year. At about the same time the Hobart Gliding Club was formed and it to used the Brighton airfield

De Havilland Gypsy Moth seaplane G-AUIH moored on the Derwent following flight from Sydney 1929. Courtesy State Library of Victoria

As Holyman Airways increased the size of the aircraft operating to Hobart the limitations of the Brighton site became more apparent and following a review a site at Cambridge was chosen as the site for a new airfield. By the end of 1937 most aviation activities had moved from the Brighton airfield and it was later used for the Brighton Army camp

Cambridge
Follow ing the selection of Cambridge a new hangar was constructed in 1935. This steel framed building was clad in galvanised iron and lined internally with nonflammable durobestos. Later in 1935 Holyman’s commenced commercial services while the Tasmanian Aero Club transferred their activities from Brighton

ANA hangar at Cambridge under construction, 1935.

General view of Cambridge with from right ANA hangar, Lorenz mast, aeradio building and aero club hangar, 1942. Courtesy CAHS collection

In 1939 a Lorenz radio beacon was installed and soon after ANA built a new hangar for their operations. However, major plans for airport buildings were not implemented because of World War II during which time a range of smaller buildings and structures were built. It was not until after the war that the first new major building the F1 type hangar was constructed for Trans Australian Airways

A further review into Hobart’s airport requirements saw the decision to build a new airport nearby at Lanherne. This opened in 1956 and Cambridge became the secondary airport for Hobart and the centre for light aviation. The Southern Tasmanian Aero Club which was established at Cambridge in 1935

Control Tower, Cambridge constructed soon after World WarII , 1950’s.Courtesy CAHS collection

In 1994 Cambridge airfield was sold to a private owner and has continued to be used as an active airfield, although part of the site has been sold for light industrial use

ANA Douglas DC-3 outside of ANA hangar, Cambridge. Courtesy State Library of Tasmania

Lanherne
The new Hobart airport named after the property Lanherne on which it was built opened in 1956. Since then it has continued to expand with the second stage of the redevelopment of the domestic terminal being the most recent initiative

Southern Tasmanian Aero Club’s building at Cambridge was the former aeradio building, 2008

The former Aero club hangar, Cambridge, 2008

Rail crossing Wynyard, 1971. Courtesy CAHS collection

The Beginning
The Golf links at Wynyard became the North West coast’s first frequently used landing ground with Bert Hinkler landing there in 1928. By 1931 the newly formed North West Aero Club had leased the Wynyard racecourse for a three year period and with the support of volunteers an airstrip was built. It opened in February 1932 with an air pageant attended by more than 5,000 people. The following year Tasmanian Aerial Services began a regular Launceston – Wynyard service

Bert Hinkler’s aircraft parked outside the Wynyard Golf Club house, 1929. Courtesy Wynyard Historical Society

The increasing size of commercial aircraft resulted in the establishment of a new airport on the Toft Estate in 1934. Additional funding from Commonwealth Government enabled the airport to be further developed and the new facility was opened by the Prime Minister Joseph Lyons in 1936. The following year the airport was acquired by the Commonwealth Government

Prime Minister at function to mark completion of new facilities, Wynyard aerodrome, 1936. Courtesy Wynyard Historical Society

Post World War II
In 1948 TAA began Melbourne to Wynyard services while in the following year the first jet aircraft to come to Tasmania a De Havilland Vampire fighter of the Royal Australian Air Force landed at Wynyard. In 1953 one of the former air force Bellman hangars from Western Junction was relocated to Wynyard

Australian Air Force De Havilland Vampire in front of control tower, air pageant Wynyard airport, 1950. Courtesy Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

In 2002 Wynyard airport came under the management of the Burnie Airport Corporation a joint venture between the Burnie City Council and Australian Regional Airports. This saw the expansion of the terminal with the two earlier buildings being linked with a central construction to form a much larger building

The Railway Crossing
A distinctive feature of the Wynyard airport was that the Tasmanian Government Railway’s main north west line to Smithton crossed the airport. Not surprisingly this was an uncommon arrangement shared with very few other airports in the world. The railway signalling for the airport was controlled by the Flight Service Unit located in the airport control tower. The signalling system was decommissioned in 2005 following the closure of the railway line west of Burnie

Railway signaling control equipment Flight Service Unit, Wynyard airport, 1960’s. Courtesy CAHS collection

Devonport control tower and terminal, 1965

The most recent of Tasmania’s major airports Devonport was established in 1950 as a diversion airport for Launceston’s Western Junction and Hobart’s Cambridge airports in times of fog. However, regular services both within Tasmania and to Victoria soon commenced

Interior of Flight Service Unit building, 1975

The air traffic control tower was constructed in readiness for the airports opening in January 1950 and continued until 1956. Later when the airport was being used as a diversion in which case Controllers would be sent from Launceston. The tower was used for sometime by the Flight Service Unit which later transferred to another building in 1975. This Unit continued to operate until 1990. One of the former Bellman hangars from Western Junction was relocated to Devonport in the early 1950’s

Bellman hangar, Devonport, 2008

The modest terminal building was constructed early in the history of the airport and continues to be used by Tasair flights to King Island following the construction of the new terminal. Completed March 1983 and opened by Minister Kim Beasley October 1983

In December 1983 the Port of Devonport Corporation Pty. Ltd. acquired the airport and continues to operate it today as part of the Tasmanian Ports Authority

Exterior of former Flight Service Unit building, 2008

Terminal building, Devonport, 2008

Mathews Aviation Saro “Windhover” wrecked near Currie, 1936. Courtesy State Library of Victoria

In 1931 Mr L Johnson flew from Western Junction to Whitemark and in the following year established Flinders Island Airways with the Desoutter aircraft named “Miss Flinders”. This proved the catalyst for the Holyman shipping company to enter the aviation industry with a service to Flinders Island with their first aircraft a De Havilland 83 Fox Moth named “Miss Currie”

Holyman’s Airways aircraft “Lepena” and “Loina

Former Holyman terminal, Currie, c1940. Courtesy State Library of Victoria

Holyman’s also commenced services to King Island and by 1933 an airfield was in operation at which Holyman’s constructed a small terminal building

World War II saw the strategic location of both airports highlighted and in 1942 the Currie airfield was mined as part of the islands defence initiatives. Both airfields continued to operate after World War II with gradual improvement of their facilities

Piaggo P.166 with Ansett-A.N.A terminal at Currie airfield, c1965. Courtesy Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

In 1992 the Flinders Island Council took over the responsibility for the operation of the airfield and a small modern terminal was constructed

Essendon aerodrome serviceability board showing Currie and Pats River (Whitemark) aerodromes, 1948. Courtesy CAHS collection

V.H.F. Repeater Station Mount Barrow. Courtesy David Barrett

While the major impact of aviation on Tasmania’s built heritage is to be found at the major airports and airfields, it is surprising how widespread the presence of aviation has been throughout the state. From airfields to beaches and lake shores aircraft have landed and taken off successfully. Among the better known such places are Cox’s Bight and Melaleuca near Port Davy in the South West and before it is was flooded the beach at Lake Pedder

De Havilland DHA Dragon on the temporary corduroy airstrip, Melaleuca, Port Davy, c1948 Courtesy Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

Aircraft on the beach at Lake Pedder before it was flooded, early 1970’s. Courtesy Mrs. M. Truchanas & National Library of Australia

The early lack of landing places saw the widespread use of amphibious aircraft and seaplanes. Both the Derwent and the Tamar Rivers were often used by such aircraft and during the period 1929 – 1937. Matthews Aviation Pty. Ltd. operated a regular commercial service using A17 Saro Cutty Sarks from Melbourne to Launceston and King Island during 1933 and 1934

De Havilland DHA Dragon at Cox’s Bight, south-west Tasmania, c1948. Courtesy Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

Royal Australian Air Force Fairy IIID seaplane on the Tamar River, Launceston, 1926. Courtesy Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

World War II saw the establishment of a number of airfields including those at Nile, Annandale, Quorn Hall, and Valleyfield. The latter being used after the war for commercial services when Western Junction’s runway was being reconstructed and during the 1990’s for a series of air pageants and pylon races. Also established was the Royal Australian Air Force’s No 31 Inland Aviation Fuel Depot near Ross which was serviced by a rail siding from the main line

The requirements for air navigation aids resulted in many structures being constructed, generally at or very near major airports. The most important exception to this was the construction on Mount Barrow of a Very High Frequencies (V.H.F.) Repeater Station there

Fuel tanks of the former No 31 Inland Aviation Fuel Depot near Ross, 2008

. Following an initial survey in 1949 the station became fully operational in 1954 and was the first such station in Australia. Construction on this difficult and exposed site required the building of an aerial ropeway to get the building material and equipment to the station site. Some of the equipment including one of the 150’ masts had previously been used for air navigation purposes at Evandale

There are also a number of memorials to Tasmanian aviators and again these are more commonly found at or near the major airports. However, at Campbell Town there is an important memorial built in 1961 to prominent Tasmanian aviator Harold Gatty. As navigator he accompanied American pilot Wiley Post on the aircraft “Winnie May” on the first around the world flight in 1931

Harold Gatty Memorial, Campbell Town , built in 1961

TASMANIA’S HERITAGE

What you can do
The exhibition only briefly touches upon some aspects of Tasmania’s rich history. The National Trust wishes to continue to document this aspect of our heritage, in particular the built heritage.
There are many ways in which you can assist the National Trust in its work. If you have any photographs, archival material or ephemera relating to the exhibition theme. The Trust would be pleased to have the opportunity to record and document this information.

The National Trust
The National Trust is the largest community based, non-profit organisation supporting the preservation of Tasmania’s heritage.

The National Trust in Tasmania currently owns or manages 9 properties open to the public around the state.

By becoming a member of the National Trust you can not only support the Trust’s conservation and educational initiatives in Tasmania but also have free access to National Trust properties worldwide. The Trust provides a wide range of opportunities for volunteers to participate in its many programs throughout Tasmania.

Donations of $2 or more to the National Trust are tax deductible.

Acknowledgements
The National Trust wishes to acknowledge the generous support of both the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and Heritage Tasmania.

The Trust is delighted that Ms Brigid Atkins, on hearing of the exhibition, offered some of her aviation memorabilia for display.

Miscellaneous images from the exhibition can be found here

A selection of Brigid Atkins' memorabilia is here