Turning back the clock to 1942, the skies above Maryborough will once again be abuzz with vintage aircraft as the Maryborough Military Aviation Museum hosts an Open Day at the Maryborough Airport on Saturday, November 8, from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
Visit the Museum in the former airport terminal building to view the exhibits that share the stories of the men and women based at RAAF Station Maryborough during World War II. See the CAC Wackett, C47 Nose, Avro Anson Cockpit, Tiger Moth Wing, 1944 Chevy Blitz, various engines and other interpretive exhibits that will be on display.
Weather permitting, we will have some vintage Tiger Moths fly in. For the visiting aviators, the Maryborough Aero Club will be providing a fly-in breakfast from 7:30am.
President Jenny Elliott said, “It would not be surprising that most Fraser Coast residents would not be aware of the contribution that the Maryborough airport made to the war effort during World War II.”
Under the Empire Air Training Scheme, Maryborough had been chosen as a facility for a military aerodrome serving the RAAF for No 3 Wireless Air Gunners’ School (3WAGS) and No 3 Air Navigation School (3ANS) and two recruit depots.
There were over 130 buildings on-site, and although most have been removed, those remaining are indicative of the types of buildings and facilities constructed and were necessary for the operation of a wartime air base.
In 2016, the Maryborough Military Aviation Museum Association was formed to ensure the military history of the airport is publicly recognised and preserved for future generations. The Association continues to increase its membership and the capacity of volunteers to undertake tasks of restoration and construction, as well as the ongoing process of researching, compiling and documenting the histories and personal stories of the men and women based at RAAF Station Maryborough.
After being granted a lease on the former Terminal building, the Museum opened to the public in September 2024. “It has been a long journey, and we are very excited to have a space at the Maryborough Airport to operate out of and share with the public the history and stories of the site. The heritage-listed building is in itself a part of the museum collection, as it was used as the parachute packing shed.” Jenny said.
A wide variety of aircraft were operated at RAAF Station Maryborough, including the DH.82 Tiger Moth, Avro Anson, CAC Wackett and Link Trainer. Dedicated volunteers have spent years rebuilding a CAC Wackett, the main aircraft used to train Wireless Operator Air Gunners.
Between October 1941 and December 1944, 3WAGS provided 34 courses, with the number of trainees in each course varying between 70 to more than 100. As Wireless Operator Air Gunners, they became crew members for various RAF and RAAF squadrons and served in all theatres of the war. Those who perished died as a result of air battles, aircraft accidents or as prisoners of war and many rest isolated from their homeland.
Volunteers undertook hundreds of hours of research to identify 569 men, including staff from 3WAGS, who were killed in active service. Their names are etched into 24 steel panels that form the RAAF Station Maryborough Memorial Wall as a legacy to the men who came from all parts of Australia and trained at 3WAGS Maryborough.
As part of the Open Day activities, a Commemorative Service to mark the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II will be held at the RAAF Station Maryborough Memorial Wall at 10:30am.
For more information, follow the Maryborough Military Aviation Museum Association Facebook page or email mmamsecretary@gmail.com
Cover photo: S.Ryan Coll.-3WAGS R.Rankin,A.Overett,G.Copburn,G.Roach
