Time flies, and so do we

During World War II, Bankstown Airport was established as a key strategic air base to support the war effort. Today, Bankstown Airport is Sydney’s primary general aviation airport, serving charter and cargo flights for various carriers.

Here we have a look back at the milestones spanning Bankstown Airport’s growth over the years.

1940

1940

June – Bankstown acquired as airfield site for Defence. Site preparations begin

December – Formal establishment of Bankstown Royal Australian Air Force station. Bankstown was on of 125 airfields in NSW, and 1 of 23 in the NSW region.

1941

January – First aircraft arrived for assembly (Avro Ansons)

March – first aircraft assembled and first two hangars completed.

September – First Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) trained at Bankstown

September – wo more hangar and other facilities erected

1942

February – United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Headquarters Squadron and 7^th Fighter Squadron 49^th Pursuit Group arrive with their p-40 Kittyhawk Fighter aircraft. Bankstown quickly became known as “Yankstown”.

February – Establishment of Fighter Control Unit 1010 to co-ordinate fighter defence of Sydney.

April – USAAF 41th Fighter Squadron arrives with P-39 Airacobra Fighters

July – Re-establishment of RAAF 24^th Squadron to defend Sydney

October – Completion of the American Hangar (building 114)

1943

Construction of the de Havilland factory on the southern side of the airfield

Construction of the hospital

Continued development of the barracks accommodation area. These buildings were standard military barracks measuring 18.5m x 5.5m.

Construction of Hangars 131,271,272 and the Bellman Hangars 16 and 17

1944

December – The first British Roayl Navy contingent reached Bankstown to establish Her Majesty’s Ship (HMS) Nabberley.

1945

January – The Bankstown Bunker which was located to the north-east of the airfield (now the corner of Marion St and Edger Ave) was commissioned as headquarters for the Air Defence of Sydney

January – RAAF Bankstown was handed over to the British Royal Navy as HMS Nabberley

August – Victor in the Pacific (VP day) and HMS Nabberley was involved I the return of Prisoners of War from Japanese camps and the disposal of aircraft.

1946

HMS Nabberley was closed and Bankstown was handed back to the RAAF

The Royal Aero Club arrived at Bankstown from Mascot

1948

January – The de Havilland Drover flew for the first time at Bankstown

November – Bankstown Airport came under the control of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA)

1949

January – the Bankstown Bunker ceased operations

June – the first flight of the de Havilland Vampire