Something you don’t expect to see is a five-tonne bomber on the second floor of an airport terminal. However, Canberra Airport has a Lockheed Hudson bomber doing just that. Sitting at the far end of the check-in desks, it’s a monument to all of the RAAF crews who served in similar aircraft during the Second World War.
Lockheed Hudson
Developed from the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra airliner, the Lockheed Hudson was a light bomber and maritime patrol aircraft. Initially developed for Britain just prior to the Second World War, the Hudson. Of the 2,841 Hudsons built, 247 served with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Following Japanese attacks on Malaya, Hudsons from No. 1 Squadron RAAF became the first Allied aircraft to make an attack in the Pacific War, sinking a Japanese transport ship, the Awazisan Maru, off Kota Bharu at 0118h local time, an hour before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105
Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 was built in 1938. It arrived in Australia in early December 1941 and was used to train RAAF aircrews. Between December 1942 and January 1943 it saw operational service in Papua and New Guinea, carrying out supply flights during the Allied advance on Buna, on Papua’s north coast.
After the war, A16-105 was flown as a photographic survey aircraft. It completed its last flight in 1998, and was purchased by the Australian War Memorial in 2001. It has since undergone an extensive restoration to its wartime configuration.
If you are interested in more of our photos of Lockheed Hudson bombers you can find them here.
Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportUpper Turret of Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportLockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportStarboard engine of Lockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra AirportLockheed Hudson Mk.IV A16-105 in RAAF markings at Canberra Airport
In the 1860s Britain removed its garrison troops from its Australian colonies, which resulted in a rapid examination of the colonies’ defenses. Britain’s war with Russia escalated fears of an invasion (not sure how Russia was going to send an invasion force all the way to Australia). As a result two Imperial Engineers arrived (Scratchley who also designed Fort Scratchley in Newcastle and Jervois). Between them and with the assistance of colonial architects they devised a series of forts to defend the coastline and major centres. One of these was Bare Island.
With excellent views over the entrance to Botany Bay, Bare Island was perfectly placed to guard against an overland attack of Sydney. Manned by around 70 soldiers it served as a fort from it’s completion in 1886 until the early 1900s. With changing technology, the fort became a war veterans’ home until 1942 when the military again took up residence.
Bare Island Fort Today
Unfortunately during the 1930s all but the two largest guns were sold for scrap. The largest guns remain only because they were too heavy to move. In 1967, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) were given control of the now gazetted historical site. In 1989, the fort opened to the public.
Getting There
We drove to La Perouse and parked in the foreshore parking area. From here we walked over the pedestrian bridge to Bare Island.
The Tour
NPWS conduct guided tours of the island, which can be booked online. Joining a tour at the entrance gate is possible, but only if there is room. Book onlie to avoid disappointment.
Access to the island is via a pedestrian bridge. Your guide will meet you at the far end of the bridge and let you through the gates. From here, the tour takes you through the gun pits, tunnels and rooms of the fort. The guide provides a narration throughout the tour, so you receive the full history of the island.
From the top of the island, you get amazing views of Botany Bay, while being able to appreciate the importance of the fort as it overlooks the bay’s entrance.
What Did We Think of Bare Island?
This was a great tour, full of history and interesting things to see. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, providing us with lots of information on the Island’s history. Especially good was the group size, which was no so large that you missed out on seeing things.
The external walls of the fortified island Bare IslandExternal wallsThe connecting bridgeRifle slots in the wallsVerandah of the BarracksConnecting tunnel between gun pitsunderground gun, firing through a concealed gunportConnecting tunnel and magazine accessOne of the gun pitsGun mounted on one of the gun platforms.Disappearing gun pitThis shows the commanding field of fire the gun had to the entrance to Port Botany.Gun pit with a view of the connecting bridge to the islandView from Bare Island to the mainland. Aboriginal, Australian and NSW flags.
Fighter World located adjacent to the Williamtown RAAF base has an excellent display of jet fighters operated by the RAAF. Fighter world is very easy to find due to its location and parking is easy, because the museum has its own large car park.
The Collection
Main Hanger
Housed in an old hanger the collection illustrates the evolution of the jet fighter in Australian service from its beginnings with the Meteor to high tech aircraft like the F-111 and Mirage III. Also displayed are Winjeel and PC-9 forward air control aircraft because they marked targets for the fast jets.
All aircraft can be approached closely so it is possible to get a great close-up view. Many also have stairs to enable a view of the cockpit and top of the aircraft, which also gives you great views around the display hall.
If you have kids or like the interactive side of museums there is a Mirage cockpit that you can sit in, which gives you a hands-on feel for the aircraft.
Aircraft armaments are displayed around the hanger ranging from Matra R.530 missiles for the Mirage to Bomb ejector racks for the F111.
Containing the first RAAF jets, a small hanger houses a Vampire, Meteor and CAC Sabre. Also housed here are two replica Spitfires, one only consists of the fuselage, but the other is full size. Several early jet engines, the Ghost, Goblin and Nene, show how they worked, with cut-away sections revealing their interiors.
In addition to the aircraft displays is the Norm Forrester Collection. Displayed in cabinets this large collection of model aircraft covers most RAAF, British and US subjects.
Gloster Meteor F.8de Havilland Vampire A79-1CAC CA-27 SabreSupermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII ReplicaRolls-Royce Nene Jet EngineA small section of the Model Aircraft Display
Outside Displays
Located between the two hangers is a Pilatus PC-9 used until recently by the RAAF for Forward Air Control.
In front of the museum a CAC Sabre stands as a gate guardian along with a radar dish and a Jindivk target drone.
Pilatus PC-9CAC CA-27 Sabre A94-959GAF Jindivik droneRadar Antenna at Fighter World
Viewing Platform
A stairway leads to a viewing platform where the active Williamtown RAAF base and its aircraft movements can be observed. The Williamtown base is currently home to F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters (operated by No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 3 Squadron and No. 77 Squadron), BAE Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighters (operated by No. 76 Squadron), E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft (operated by No. 2 Squadron) and Pilatus PC-21 forward air control aircraft (operated by No. 4 Squadron).
Because the base also has the Newcastle Airport located opposite, you can see commercial planes coming and going as well.
What Did We Think?
A great museum showcasing Australia’s jet fighter aircraft from the 1940s to the present. Located close to Newcastle NSW, this is a fantastic place to visit if you have an interest in aircraft.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
