The Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF)  connections with the Maylands Aerodrome are honoured in plaques at Aerodrome Park in Maylands.

Although there were no RAAF bases in Western Australia until 1938 (when RAAF Base Pearce opened at Bullsbrook), a RAAF display was part of the Australia Aero Club (West Australian Section) second annual pageant in 1932.

RAAF aircraft used the Maylands Aerodrome as a base in World War II. Under the direction of the Department of Aircraft Production, RAAF and allied aircraft were maintained and repaired at the Maylands Aerodrome during World War II.

Our Frank Colquhoun Collection includes:

  • MHS/FC 299. Photograph. 1939-1940 One of two MMA de Havilland DH 86 airliners at Maylands. It was impressed into the Royal Australian Air Force as an ambulance aircraft in 1940
  • FC 455. Photograph. 1942/43, Maylands Airfield. MMA workshop section for the overhaul, repair and rebuild of components of RAAF DH82 Tiger Moth and USN PBY5 Catalina aircraft. This image also appears on page 118 of Frank Colquhoun’s 2001 book Cockpit and Spanner
  • FC 458. Photograph. 1942/43. Maylands Airfield. MMA engine overhaul shop for RAAF Gipsy Major engines. These engines were for their DH82 aircraft at their EFTS (Elementary Flight Training School) at their Cunderdin base in Western Australia. This image also appears on page 118 of Frank Colquhoun’s 2001 book Cockpit and Spanner.
  • MHS/FC 562. Photograph. (2 versions of this image). After the war, MMA acquired several ex-RAAF Avro Ansons and converted them into passenger aircraft. VH-AYO is a typical example.

See our RAAF Flickr Album for digitised images and other digitised information.

Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, live, and learn. We acknowledge that we tell the stories of Noongar Country and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have passed away.