RATHMINES FLYING BOAT BASE, NSW
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

 


Photo via Tony Porter

Rathmines Flying Boat Base, NSW, under construction 30 October 1939

 

9 Squadron RAAF and their Seagull amphibious aircraft relocated to Rathmines in January 1940. Some of the Seagulls of 9 Squadron were attached to various RAN cruisers so were spread far and wide. The Seagull was catapulted from the ship and would then later land near the ship and be picked up by a crane. 

From 1943 the role of the cruiser-borne amphibious aircraft became less important and by late 1944 all RAN cruisers had relinquished their amphibious aircraft and removed their catapults. 9 Squadron was then disbanded at Rathmines on 31 December 1944.

Margaret Berghofer told me that the Rathmines Base was State Heritage listed on the 24 November 2005. The Friends of the former RAAF Flying Boat Base at Rathmines are most hopeful of achieving a Museum and hangar to accompany their recently purchased PBY Catalina Flying Boat in its hangar. To compliment the Museum in its entirety they are also intending to display its marine activity. They are looking for a RAAF crashboat or a set of plans that will enable the Museum to construct a boat. They are hoping to have the base listed on the National Heritage listing.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Tony Porter for his assistance with this home page.

I'd like to thank Margaret Berghofer a member of Lake Macquarie & District Historical Society Inc. for her assistance with this web page.

 

Can anyone help me with more information?

 

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This page first produced 10 March 2002

This page last updated 13 January 2020