RAAF Base Rathmines
Encyclopedia
RAAF Base Rathmines was a Royal Australian Air Force
base located on Lake Macquarie
in New South Wales
.
RAAF Base Rathmines was established in 1939 and was the RAAF's main flying boat
base during World War II
and the early 1950s. During World War II aircraft based at Rathmines conducted anti-submarine patrols along the Australian east coast and the base was home to the RAAF's main seaplane training units. In addition, detachments from Squadrons based at Rathmines flew numerous offensive mine laying missions into Japanese-held territory (due to Rathmines distance from the front line, these aircraft staged through bases in Northern Australia when travelling to and from their targets). Rathmines was also the RAAF Maritime Section's
main training base.
After the RAAF retired its flying boats in 1952 RAAF Base Rathmines was used as a ground-training base for, among others, officers, senior non-commissioned officers, physical training instructors, national servicemen and recruits until being closed in l960/61. When the base closed a large hangar, complete with electrically operated doors and used for servicing seaplanes, was pulled down and half of the very high building shipped to RAAF Base Richmond
to house the RAAF's then-new C-130 Hercules
aircraft.
Flying units based at RAAF Rathmines at different times included:
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
base located on Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie (New South Wales)
Lake Macquarie is Australia's largest coastal salt water lake, covering an area of in the Hunter Region of New South Wales with most of the City of Lake Macquarie's residents living near its shores. It is connected to the Tasman Sea by a short channel. Lake Macquarie is twice as large as Sydney...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
.
RAAF Base Rathmines was established in 1939 and was the RAAF's main flying boat
Flying boat
A flying boat is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a float plane as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy. Flying boats may be stabilized by under-wing floats or by wing-like projections from the fuselage...
base during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the early 1950s. During World War II aircraft based at Rathmines conducted anti-submarine patrols along the Australian east coast and the base was home to the RAAF's main seaplane training units. In addition, detachments from Squadrons based at Rathmines flew numerous offensive mine laying missions into Japanese-held territory (due to Rathmines distance from the front line, these aircraft staged through bases in Northern Australia when travelling to and from their targets). Rathmines was also the RAAF Maritime Section's
Royal Australian Air Force Maritime Section
The Royal Australian Air Force Maritime Section was the branch of the Royal Australian Air Force responsible for manning boats operated by the Air Force...
main training base.
After the RAAF retired its flying boats in 1952 RAAF Base Rathmines was used as a ground-training base for, among others, officers, senior non-commissioned officers, physical training instructors, national servicemen and recruits until being closed in l960/61. When the base closed a large hangar, complete with electrically operated doors and used for servicing seaplanes, was pulled down and half of the very high building shipped to RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond
RAAF Base Richmond is one of Australia's oldest and largest air force bases. It is located within the City of Hawkesbury in the north-western fringe of Sydney, New South Wales, between the towns of Windsor and Richmond. The base is home to the Royal Australian Air Force's transport headquarters,...
to house the RAAF's then-new C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
aircraft.
Flying units based at RAAF Rathmines at different times included:
- No. 9 SquadronNo. 9 Squadron RAAFNo. 9 Squadron was a unit of the Royal Australian Air Force. The Squadron saw active service in World War II and the Vietnam War before being disbanded in 1989.-Fleet co-operation:...
- No. 11 SquadronNo. 11 Squadron RAAFNo. 11 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron based at RAAF Base Edinburgh. It was formed in 1939 and has seen active service in World War II, East Timor, the War on Terrorism and the 2003 Gulf War...
- No. 20 SquadronNo. 20 Squadron RAAFNo. 20 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron of World War II. It was formed in 1941 and disbanded in 1946.-History:...
- No. 40 SquadronNo. 40 Squadron RAAFNo. 40 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron of World War II. It was formed in March 1944 and operated flying boats between Australia and New Guinea. The squadron was disbanded in June 1946.-Squadron history:...
- No. 41 SquadronNo. 41 Squadron RAAFNo. 41 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron of World War II. It was formed in August 1942 and operated flying boats in the South West Pacific area. The squadron was disbanded in September 1945.-Squadron history:...
- No. 43 SquadronNo. 43 Squadron RAAFNo. 43 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol and mine laying squadron of World War II.-Squadron history:No. 43 Squadron was formed at Bowen in Queensland on 1 May 1943. Equipped with Catalina aircraft the Squadron flew its first operational patrols from Karumba on 8...
- No. 107 SquadronNo. 107 Squadron RAAFNo. 107 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol squadron. Based in New South Wales the Squadron conducted anti-submarine patrols off the Australian east coast during the Second World War.-Squadron history:...
- No. 3 Operational Training UnitNo. 3 Operational Training Unit RAAFNo. 3 Operational Training Unit was the Royal Australian Air Force's main seaplane training unit during World War II.Formed by expanding the RAAF's Seaplane Training Flight in late 1942, 3OTU was located at RAAF Base Rathmines in New South Wales and was responsible for converting RAAF aircrew to...
- Seaplane Training FlightSeaplane Training Flight RAAFThe Seaplane Training Flight was a Royal Australian Air Force unit responsible for providing seaplane conversion training to RAAF air and ground crew.The Seaplane Training Flight was established on 1 March 1940 at RAAF Base Rathmines in New South Wales...