Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia
Fleet Air Arm Museum
One of the aims of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia is to support the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Nowra, New South Wales.
In the early 1970s, the then Base Commander of HMAS Albatross, Commodore Andrew Robertson, decided to gather old aircraft and items of memorabilia into one of the base's old World War 2 hangars. This set about the formation of the first naval aviation museum.
Known as the Fleet Air Arm Museum, the exhibit was a culmination of years of voluntary effort. It was opened in 1974 by Admiral Sir Victor Smith who was Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee and recognised as the "father" of the Fleet Air Arm.
In 1982, Commodore Toz Dadswell, the then Commanding Officer of HMAS Albatross, established the Heritage Trust of the Fleet Air Arm. The Trust's charter was an agreement by serving officers, appointed by their position, to further the aim of preserving the history of the Fleet Air Arm. Formation of the Trust was the first step in providing the already-established Fleet Air Arm Museum with a formal basis to plan and conduct its future operations.
While most of the memorabilia was housed inside buildings, the aircraft were parked in the open, exposed to the elements, and were deteriorating. The Heritage Trust, recognising the importance of preserving Australia’s naval aviation history, agreed to develop new facilities.
A National Campaign Committee raised almost $6 million by 1993. This gigantic effort enabled successful development of the first three stages of the construction plan and the establishment of a viable business to operate the Museum. Fund raising continues unabated to this day in an effort to complete the $10 million facility.
As further funds become available, theme capsules will be added to the main museum display hall to depict significant aspects of Australian naval aviation, including stories of Australia's carriers, squadrons and the men and women who served in them.
For a time, the museum operated as Australia's Museum of Flight. This changed on 1 September 2006 when it reverted to the Fleet Air Arm Museum, with Terry Hetherington as Museum Manager. The Museum officially opened on Sunday, 6 May 2007, with renewed exhibits and information.
See also:
Official opening of Museum and air day
Fleet Air Arm Museum website