Raaf Association (Wa Division)
Home in Mandurah

The beginnings of the museum date from hasty 1929 when the Association was formed. The fist projects the fresh association engaged in was to receive the Kalgoorlie Biplane. It set about restoring the aircraft with the view of entering it in the Centenary of Perth parade that identical year. The wings were too expansive for the road so they were removed and placed next to the fuselage on the back of a truck for the parade. In 1968 a museum construction fund was established. During the 1960s and 70s the Association along with various private individuals collected a multitude of aviation heritage memorabilia including aircraft, aircraft parts, aircraft engines, books, photographs and artifacts. That identical year the Aviation Historical Group was formed from members of the Association and other interested individuals. The group also consisted of private collectors and restorers of aircraft from all around Perth. Also in 1971 the Association began developing its Memorial Estate at Bull Creek to bear a larger club house and retirement accommodation for its members in their later years. A part of land near the entrance was set aside on the estate for an aviation museum. This place was chosen so visitors did not have to traverse the estate to visit the proposed Museum. The South Wing was enough to house maximum of the Museum's smaller aeroplanes. The Lancaster and the recently acquired Douglas Dakota were too large for the Wing. Since then further facilities have been added to the Museum including a walk way inside the North Wing, three demountables which house the book library, photographic library, the model aeroplane group and the accessioning offices. A workshop was built after the South Wing after the used one was torn down to make way for the Mirage apartments by the Association. The RAAFAWA Aviation Museum preserves and displays many elements of the history of aviation in Western Australia, not only the aircraft but also the people and events that led us to where we are today. History, of course, perpetual has many layers, and as time goes by it is hoped to uncover more. Contributions by visitors are welcomed, particularly if they can be verified from multiple sources, and even better, supported by scanned photographs that can be included here.