Fishermen's Bend Aerodrome

Aerial view of the Fishermans Bend aerodrome c. 1954

Fishermen's Bend Aerodrome is a former aerodrome located at Fishermen's Bend, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The aerodrome served the Australian Governments Government Aircraft Factories and the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation plants. Due to the newer jet aircraft proposed to be built requiring longer runways for safe operations, the Fishermans Bend runways were not able to be extended as the aerodrome had been encroached upon by development. Avalon Airport was opened in 1953, to cater for the production of jet military aircraft.^[1]

Motorsport[]

The airfield was used for motorcycle races in August 1948 then cars from 1949. It hosted events counting towards the Australian Drivers' Championship in both 1958^[2] and 1959.^[3] and races were held at the circuit until at least 1960.^[4] ^[5]

Subsequently the airstrip was used for organised drag racing until at least 1967 (possibly later) at which time AA class fuellers raced along with funny cars in times approaching 10 secs for the 1/4 mile track.

Notes[]

^ "Avalon Hangar Conversion for Qantas? Skybed Fit-Out Adds to Meinhardt Aviation Portfolio" (Press release). Meinhardt. 10 December 2003. Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2007.
^ Victorian Trophy Race, Fishermen's Bend, 23rd February, 1959, Australian Motor Sports Review 1958-59, page 41
^ 1959 C.A.M.S. Gold Star Points Scores, Australian Motor Sports Review 1958-59, page 82
^ Fisherman's Bend Races - Stillwell wins 1960 Victorian Trophy Race - 13th-14th February, Australian Motor Sports, March 1960, page 97
^ Open Road Races - Fisherman's Bend - 29-30th October, Australian Motor Sports, Dec. 1960 - Jan. 1961, pages 598 & 599

References[]

Dennis, Peter; Grey, Jeffrey; Morris, Ewan; and Robin Prior (1995). The Oxford Companion to Australian Military History. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-553227-9.

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[1] "Avalon Hangar Conversion for Qantas? Skybed Fit-Out Adds to Meinhardt Aviation Portfolio" (Press release). Meinhardt. 10 December 2003. Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2007.

[2] Victorian Trophy Race, Fishermen's Bend, 23rd February, 1959, Australian Motor Sports Review 1958-59, page 41

[3] 1959 C.A.M.S. Gold Star Points Scores, Australian Motor Sports Review 1958-59, page 82

[4] Fisherman's Bend Races - Stillwell wins 1960 Victorian Trophy Race - 13th-14th February, Australian Motor Sports, March 1960, page 97

[5] Open Road Races - Fisherman's Bend - 29-30th October, Australian Motor Sports, Dec. 1960 - Jan. 1961, pages 598 & 599

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