Warbird Information Exchange

Fantastic photos. You really have to hand it to those in the SWPA theatre -- the great outflow of material from American factories really didn't reach them until late in '43, so they had to hold the line and make do with what they had. As you can see cannibalization took on a whole new meaning at the Townsville depot.

What a great selection of photos!

While the photos showing the two erected and one about to be erected "semi-hemispherical" hangars are taken at Garbutt, I believe most of the others were taken at Stockroute. The photos showing three hangars and B-25's are most definitely Stockroute, and the terrain/vegetation/buildings all seem to fit this airfield.

The runway at Stockroute was built in 1942 by widening Dalrymple Rd (about 1.5 nm SSW of Garbutt). By mid 1943 runway was dis-used, with a large number of Butler hangars built on the surface. The location continued in use as a very active Air Depot, with aircraft being towed/taxiied from Garbutt. Both Dalrymple Rd and Duckworth St (used as a taxiway) still exist, however no other traces of the airfield remain now.

#2 Depot extended well beyond Dalrymple road. The train line that carried coal from the port to the Mundingburra power station formed the eastern perimeter of the base and was heavily utilised to bring supplies from the harbour to the base. The scrap metal recovery operation took place around a large stand of trees located on Anne Street, near the Charles St intersection. The reclaimed spares igloo was just north of present day vincent village. I have several internal photos of this igloo showing P-39 cowls, P-38 radiators and A-20 nose sections. The floor of the igloo was dirt, but the rear had a wooden loading dock about 5ft off the ground. Seems wreckage brought in on trucks and low loaders could be positioned alongside this loading dock. I believe many of the salvaged airframes in Mark's photos are dispersed in the bush behind this igloo.

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"If that's a goddamn 'Jug' in front of me, you sure as hell better wiggle your wings." 80FS/8FG Cape Gloucester, December 1943. And the entire 41st Fighter Squadron rocked their wings.

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR P-38 PARTS

I didn't realize that it extended THAT far south - it's getting very close to the Aitkenvale strip.

Thanks for the info.

Another great set from the man with the great name. Thanks Mark!

Mark

I have heard that under the city of Townsville there is a massive maze of bunkers and tunnels. After the war, these tunnels were filled with planes, trucks, jeeps, tanks and tonnes of guns, ammunition and other surplus gear. All sealed away and boobie-trapped and now forgotten by all but a few. I have heard people have found their way in but due to the massive dark labyrinth inside, they have not made it out alive.

Hi Ramjet, Yes those rumours do exist. But the truth is they are all, pekpek bilong bullamacow. And seriously detract from the amazing true history of depot #2.

_________________
"If that's a goddamn 'Jug' in front of me, you sure as hell better wiggle your wings." 80FS/8FG Cape Gloucester, December 1943. And the entire 41st Fighter Squadron rocked their wings.

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR P-38 PARTS

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Amazing photos, thanks for posting this thread Mark. I love how the trees protrude through the hangar roofs.

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The hangars were built to metric measurements. Cant remember all the details, but seems a Frenchman was involved in construction of the initial hangar and all subsequent hangars were copied from that. The two 27 ADG hangars located at erima (between Jacksons and watds strips) in Port Moresby were the same design and dimensions. Photos exist of 27 ADG building the wooden support arches using maufactured jigs. So as not to have to measure each piece individually. ie put it in the pattern jig and cut where it says cut.

_________________
"If that's a goddamn 'Jug' in front of me, you sure as hell better wiggle your wings." 80FS/8FG Cape Gloucester, December 1943. And the entire 41st Fighter Squadron rocked their wings.

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR P-38 PARTS