Raaf Station Bulga

[asurfin]

Anyone know what aircraft operated from RAAF Station Bulga NSW?? I live nearby and since the the remains are about to disappear beneath the Mt Thorley mine expansion, I was curious to what SQN's and aircraft operated from it and it's satellite fields at Warkworth, Broke and Jerry's Plains (Strowan).

[Warhawk]

Operated between 1942 - 1946, more so as a Satellite/transit landing ground with three planned( 69/22/14 Degree) Runways, some 11 miles south west of Singleton NSW. Also some three further Landing ground in the surrounds per Warkworth, Broke and Jerry's Plains.

Two of the strips were built and bitumened ( 128Degree and a 59 degree) and twelve Aircraft hideouts.

Was part of the 73 Sqn Plan for Defence of Australia 1942,..but by 1943, with Jap ebbing ..some land was returned to owners and I think there was never a RAAF Sqn ever based there, if only temporary.

The Newcastle Aero Club in 1945 asked to use it!!

But on 27th November 1956, Flight Lieutenant V Barkell landed 3 (F) Sqn RAAF Avon Sabre A94-935 during an emergency!!!


Best
Gordy

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[Brenden S]

Gordy,
The maps for the landing grounds. How can you search for them on the NAA?

[Warhawk]

Usually in the NAA they fall under heading: "Aerodrome works"

Per "A705" Series then under Control Symbol "7/1/**"

Not all are opened,....some are:

IE: Key Word "Aerodrome works"

7/1/1240 is for "RAAF - Nabiac - AOB [Advanced Operational Base] NSW - Aerodrome works"
7/1/1181 is for "RAAF - Daly Waters, NT - aerodrome works"
7/1/1376 is for "RAAF Bulga [NSW] - Aerodrome works"

Other ways are:"Assets Register" under A9716 Series

Assets Register, RAAF Directorate of Works and Buildings, Engineer Intelligence Section - Long Northern Territory [also contains several plans of the aerodrome, and an aerial photograph of the site]


There are so many ways,.......etcetera ,..by name , by Public Works etc

Just keep the nose to the grind stone,..and sometimes you'd be surprised



Best
Gordy

[Brenden S]

Thanks Gordy. I lost the file for Potshot and I could never find it again.

[Warhawk]

Try Learmonth! Location Code was Potshot. Pages 24/25/26 are maps

Title
DWB [Director of Works and Buildings] - RAAF Operational Base - Learmonth [Potshot] - Buildings and services

Contents date range
1943 - 1945

Series number
A705
Click to see which government agency or person created this item.

Control symbol
171/90/63 PART 1

Citation
NAA: A705, 171/90/63 PART 1

Item barcode
3292111

Location
Canberra

[asurfin]

Thanks Warhawk!!
I went through the NAA and all I found is what was basically maintenance reports and the plan you posted. In one report they listed a potential SQN but not if any were actually based there which I was curious about. I did find another which detailed the sale and the removal of the sealed runways.

The remains of Bulga and Warkworth are under threat of the expansion of the Mt Thorley/Warkworth mines which will see the remains of at least Bulga disappear forever. Locals are protesting the expansion due to it's (the former base's) close proximity to town. The mine is so close now you can see the workers and machinery from the servo at Bulga.

I found the Jerrys Plains and Warkworth strips which surprsingly in Jerry's Plains case is still sealed while Warkworth is now part of a glider club.

[Warhawk]

Oh the type of use was hinted on the plan,..."GR/T" Usage; meaning,.. General Reconnaissance and Training.

That means Training EFTS or STFS aircraft or a GR Bomber Use,....Anson or Hudson or Beaufort at that stage of the war.

Thankfully the Japanese never came to force us to use these 60 and 70's series Sqns formed out of BAGS units

Best
Gordy

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