Australian Navy’s First Air Station

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22822, 17 December 1948, Page 4 (Supplement)

Australian Navy’s First Air Station

(Ueutcr Correspondent.) (By Air Mail) SYDNEY. In preparation for the arrival of the Royal Australian Navy's two new aircraft-carriers, the R.A.N. has established its first naval air station on what was once a R.A.A.F. war aerodrome. The station, which has been named “H.M.A.S. Albatross" after the R.A.N.’s first carrier, now scrapped, is situated at Nowra. on the coast south of Sydney. It is hoped that flying will begin early next year and that hangars, workshops and radio installations will be completed before the first carrier, 11.M.A.5. Sydney, arrives next year. Already training is well under way on the station. Sailor students study undisturbed while hundreds of officers and men work on the rehabilitation of the war-time aerodrome. The complement is now 400 officers and men, but it is hoped lo expand this within two years lo 1500. Most of the trainees are R.A.N. men. but officers are on loan from the Royal Navy. 11.M.A.5. Albatross will service the Sea