Fleet Air Arm Aerodrome Middle Swan (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place was the only parent aerodrome constructed for the U.S. Fleet Air Arm in this State during World War Two, with only two others constructed in Australia, and is one of only a small number of all weather aerodromes with three or more intersecting runways constructed in Australia in the 20th century; The place is the only World War Two aerodrome known to have been utilised as a car racing circuit in the post-war period and played a very significant role in the development and growth car racing in this State in the post-war period, in which Caversham Raceway was particularly notable as the venue for the Victory Grand Prix (1946) , the first such even held outside Western Europe and the first in Australia after World War Two, and Australian Grand Prix (1962); The place was an integral part of the development and growth of gliding in this State (1946-60); The place demonstrates the skills and achievements of Main Roads in road making as applied aerodrome construction; The place is valued by the community for social and cultural reasons, including those in the wider community who recollect the Caversham Raceway period; and, Its remaining material, including runways, aerial mast stay block bases, signal buildings, and racing circuit and associated remnant structures contribute to an understanding of the physical requirements of a Fleet Air Arm aerodrome, and some of the subsequent uses such as a racing circuit and lastly a signal station.

Physical Description

Fleet Air Arm Aerodrome Middle Swan (fmr) comprises three former runways and associated taxiways constructed by Main Roads in 1942-43. The eastern runway and dispersal area, converted to a car racing circuit in the late 1950s, retains some remnants of structures erected in the 1950s-60s. In 1968-69, Caversham Signal Station was built at the place, including a signals tower, an operations building, a garage/powerhouse building, a pump house and a POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants) store, and an aerial farm, with a residence built as married quarters in 1970. Relatively cleared areas, with some re-growth vegetation, remain in proximity to the runways, and similarly around the antennae sites, while much of the larger area retains its indigenous vegetation, including red gums, jarrah, banksia, acacia, sheoaks and paper barks.

History

In February-March 1943, the ‘360º runway’ at Fleet Air Arm Aerodrome Middle Swan (fmr) was constructed of gravel, with thickness to carry 87 lbs, per square inch, ‘sealed Stage 1, Medium Bomber’ on completion of water binding, with Stage 2 sealing to be completed within six months. In mid-March 1943, after the Main Roads’ survey showed the proposed alignment and grading of the 132º runway had been inspected and found satisfactory, ‘immediate instructions’ were given to that Department to put its construction in hand. In late March, instructions were given for construction of a 134º 30’ runway at Gingin North and a 96º runway at Bindoon to be put in hand, but Middle Swan and Mooliabenee were to take priority. In June, the full liability for three runways and dispersal etc. at Middle Swan, one runway and dispersal at Mooliabenee, and one runway each at Gingin and Bindoon was estimated at £100,000. When instructions were issued for additional works at the former two aerodromes, the plan for the third runway at Middle Swan incorrectly showed it as 32º instead of 52º. Subsequently, it was constructed on the correct alignment (i.e. 52º), with connecting taxiways (50 ft wide) on the northern and western sides. In early August, construction was well advanced on six of the air strips for the Fleet Air Arm, and the seventh was yet to be decided upon, when the Department of the Interior was advised expenditure to be charged to Division 133A/2-Australian American Funds was now to be charged to Division 110A/1-Reciprocal Lend Lease-Sole U.S.A./C-Project No. U.S. 506. From 1941, the U.S.A. aided Australia under the lend-lease programme for war materials. In December 1943, consequent to an alteration in policy, works on Fleet Air Arm Aerodromes under construction in Western Australia were temporarily curtailed. Work at Middle Swan was restricted to completion of the following: priming of the 132º runway, clearing of approaches and on either side of runways, and gravelling to the taxiways between hide-outs 9 and 10, essential drainage work, and construction of fencing. During the war, Fleet Air Arm Aerodrome Middle Swan (fmr) was little used as most pilots preferred to use the aerodrome at Guildford, which was only five miles to the south and had more facilities. In 1946, the WA Gliding Club began using Caversham for gliding, as shown in a photograph of Arthur Farmer ready for take off in his Grunau Baby, which shows the area by the runway clear of any substantial vegetation, and bush-land, including indigenous trees, in the distance. In the 1950s, the WA Gliding Club continued operating from Caversham Air Strip. Following the war, the WA Sporting Car Club, established in 1927, rapidly re-organised and arranged to hold a race meeting on a make-shift circuit at Caversham Aerodrome on Sunday, 7 April 1946, in aid of the Maimed and Limbless Ex-servicemen’s Appeal. Special train and bus services were arranged for spectators, who anticipated watching the racing at up to 100 miles per hour (m.p.h.), with the final event being a 40 mile race ‘around hairpin bends’ and ‘a mile of straight stretch of a smooth surfaced runway’. Motor cyclists who participated at the meeting ‘declared that the course was the best they had ever ridden on and a high standard was maintained’; and a ‘huge’ crowd of 60,000 people saw Clem Dwyer win the Victory Grand Prix. It is believed to have been ‘probably the first’ held outside Western Europe following the end of the war, and the first in Australia after peace was declared. In spring 1954, WA Sporting Car Club was granted approval to use ‘Caversham Airstrip’ on Sundays in connection with its Spastic Appeal. In the late 1950s, the Gliding Club continued to operate from the place. In late December 1961, the Gliding Club requested cancellation of their lease. In the late 1950s, and early 1960s, race meetings were often held at Caversham Raceway on Monday public holidays including Foundation Day in 1960, when there was a six hour Le Mans race. Large crowds attended most of the race meetings at Caversham, which were a popular attraction to local residents, including many from the Yugoslav community, and car racing enthusiasts from the wider community. In 1961, the Car Club advised it wished to extend its licence for a further three years and requested consideration be given to allowing Sunday meetings. An area of about 214 acres at the east, including the 1º runway, would continue to be leased to the Club until late 1968. In the latter half of 1968, as the Radio Receiving and Transmitting Station neared completion, installation of the necessary technical equipment was scheduled to commence, with completion of all installation, including the aerial farm, anticipated by June 1969. The Station was required to be of operational standard, but it was envisaged that its primary role would be to provide a back-up station in the event of failure or over-load of RAAF facilities. In November 1968, a Royal Australian Corps of Signals plan shows the Transmitting/Receiver building and the layout of the proposed sites for antennae. In 2000-03, Caversham Signal Station was decommissioned.

Condition

Overall the evidence of the aerodrome is in fair condition, the racing circuit in fair to poor condition, and the elements of the signal station in fair to poor condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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