Parap Airfield
Encyclopedia
Parap Airfield was the civilian airport/aerodrome at Parap
a suburb of Darwin, Northern Territory
, in Australia
between 1919 and 1946. It was also known as Darwin Aerodrome and Ross Smith Aerodrome.
The Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) sent No. 12 Squadron RAAF
at the aerodrome in September 1939 after the declaration of war against Germany and in increasingly suspicion of Japanese imperialism. By early 1942, the aerodrome was mainly used by the RAAF, although Guinea Airways retained a civilian presence.
The Japanese bombed the aerodrome in a number of raids on Darwin during 1942 resulting in extensive damage to the town and hangar. The hangar was extensively damaged after suffering a direct hit and the damage can still be seen in the north-east corner fabric of the original steel frame. No. 34 Squadron RAAF
was formed on 23 February 1942 at the aerodrome.
No. 6 Communications Flight RAAF was based at the aerodrome from August 1942 and delivered mail and food supplies to army
and RAAF outposts, as far afield as the Wessel Islands
.
In 1945 the Department of Aviation made RAAF Darwin
available for shared civil aviation purposes and became Darwin International Airport
and as a result, the civilian airport at Parap was closed down by the end of 1946.
Parap, Northern Territory
Parap is an inner suburb of the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.-History:Parap derived its name from that applied by Dr John A Gilruth, first Commonwealth Administrator in 1912. He applied the name Paraparap , but had to abbreviate it to Parap later during his term...
a suburb of Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
, in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
between 1919 and 1946. It was also known as Darwin Aerodrome and Ross Smith Aerodrome.
History
The airfield was established in the suburb of Parap to act as the Australian Terminal as part of the 1919 England to Australia air race. The airfield operated as a combined airfield (a civilian field and a military field).The Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(RAAF) sent No. 12 Squadron RAAF
No. 12 Squadron RAAF
No. 12 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force general purpose, bomber and transport squadron. The squadron was formed in 1939 and saw combat in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II. From 1941-1943, it mainly conducted maritime patrols off northern Australia...
at the aerodrome in September 1939 after the declaration of war against Germany and in increasingly suspicion of Japanese imperialism. By early 1942, the aerodrome was mainly used by the RAAF, although Guinea Airways retained a civilian presence.
The Japanese bombed the aerodrome in a number of raids on Darwin during 1942 resulting in extensive damage to the town and hangar. The hangar was extensively damaged after suffering a direct hit and the damage can still be seen in the north-east corner fabric of the original steel frame. No. 34 Squadron RAAF
No. 34 Squadron RAAF
No. 34 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It is currently based at Canberra International Airport in the Australian capital Canberra, where it operates two Boeing 737 Business Jets and three Bombardier Challenger 604s.-History:...
was formed on 23 February 1942 at the aerodrome.
No. 6 Communications Flight RAAF was based at the aerodrome from August 1942 and delivered mail and food supplies to army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
and RAAF outposts, as far afield as the Wessel Islands
Wessel Islands
The Wessel Islands are a group of islands belonging to the Northern Territory of Australia. They extend in a more or less straight line from Buckingham Bay and the Napier Peninsula of Arnhem Land, and Elcho Island, to the northeast. Marchinbar Island is the largest of the group...
.
In 1945 the Department of Aviation made RAAF Darwin
RAAF Base Darwin
RAAF Base Darwin is a Royal Australian Air Force base located in the city of Darwin, Northern Territory. The base shares its runway with Darwin International Airport.-History:...
available for shared civil aviation purposes and became Darwin International Airport
Darwin International Airport
Darwin International Airport is the busiest airport serving the Northern Territory and the tenth busiest airport in Australia. It is the only airport serving Darwin....
and as a result, the civilian airport at Parap was closed down by the end of 1946.