AIRFORCE STATION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1939, Page 2

AIRFORCE STATION

EXPANSION IN AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY, April 27

Three squadrons of aircraft and 480 officers and men will he established by June, 1940, at the new £400,000 Royal Australian Air force station at Canberra.. A start has been made with construction of roads, sewerage and drainage, and levelling of ' tarmac and hangar sites. By the end of 1989, sufficient accommodation is scheduled to be' ready tor occupation by the first squadron and nucleus headquarters staff.

Comprising three army co-operation squadrons, the station will be equipped with from 36 to 40 aircraft, which probably will b e the Australian-made Wirraway machines now being produced by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation at Fisherman’s Bend. Melbourne. The station will adjoin the Royal Military College, Dnntroon. The building plans provide for three hangars of steel and brick-filled construction, each measuring 200 ft. by 125)t., tin 1 erection on one hangar ot a control unit,, for* the supervision of flying for civil and service aircraft; administrative building and numerous other buildings for officers and men of the squadrons. Of attractive design and built of crick, the buildings will be arranged on a model tcwifship plan, which will include a parade ground

and sports ground. A radio station will he lnnlt to,provide a communications service, and it is probable that the station will also take ever control of the existing civil direction-finding radio equipment.