snape collection

The aircraft KYEEMA, a Douglas DC-2, crashed into the western face of Mt Dandenong in thick cloud on 25th October 1938. All 18 occupants on board were killed. The aircraft overshot Essendon Airport by 20 miles. The subsequent findings triggered the beginning of air traffic control and the establishment of the Department of Civil Aviation. This photograph was taken in 1938 by First Constable Carl Tepper of Russell Street Police Station. Carl Tepper was a cousin of Frank Child, grandson of Ted Child. They were related through the Dorey family.Sepia photograph showing the wreckage of an aeroplane spread in the forest amongst trees. Sunlight is streaming through a gap in the trees.On reverse: Wreckage of plane crash in Dandenongs flying daily from Adelaide to Melbourne 1930s. No survivors. Taken by late First Constable Carl Tepper Russell Street Police Station.kyeema, carl tepper, frank child, aircraft, aeroplane, crash site, crash, tepper

Close up photograph of the plaque on the Kyeema cairn at Mt Dandenong. The text reads: FIFTY METRES BELOW THIS POINT ON 25 OCT. 1938, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL AIRWAYS' DC-2 'KYEEMA' PLUNGED TO DESTRUCTION WHILE THE MOUNTAIN WAS ENVELOPED IN CLOUD. ALL 18 PERSONS ON BOARD PERISHED. FROM THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUBSEQUENT ENQUIRY HAVE EVOLVED THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS IN USE THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA TODAY. THIS PLAQUE, PLACED BY THE MOUNT DANDENONG HISTORICAL SOCIETY, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM G. GRAMP & SONS, THOS. HARDY & SONS, S. SMITH & SON, AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION OF AIR PILOTS AND FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTORIA, WAS UNVEILED ON 25TH OCT. 1978 TO MARK THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISASTER.kyeema, cairn, plaque, mt dandenong, air crash

The Volunteer Air Observers Corps was an Australian air defence organisation of World War II.It was formed on 31 December 1941 to support the Royal Australian Air Force by sighting and observing aircraft over Australia.It swiftly established observation posts across Australia and provided information to the RAAF's regional air control posts. As the threat to Australia declined its role was expanded to include coast watching, assisting air traffic control and weather reporting. The corps was staffed by civilian volunteers and reached a peak strength of 24,000 personnel and 2,656 observation posts in 1944. After the end of the war the VAOC was reduced to a cadre in December 1945 and was disbanded on 10 April 1946. The Volunteer Air Observers Corps was an Australian air defence organisation of World War II. This certificate is a record of the participation of members of the Orbost district. Anita Armistead, wife of Francis Armistead had a son, Sydney, who served as a gunner in Malaysia during WW11.A certificate of service awarded to Mrs F. Armistead for being a volunteer in the Air Observers Corps. It was awarded on 20 Sept, 1945 for one year's service.For King and Empire Presented to Mrs F. Armistead by the ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE As a record and in appreciation of patriotic response to the call of country by serving in the VOLUNTEER AIR OBSERVERS CORPS This 20th day of September 1945 signed G. Jones Air Vice Marshall Chief of Air Staff signed ? Unit Commanding Officercertificate ww11 air-observers-corps

Cairn commemorating the crash of the aircraft Kyeema on the western slope of Mt Dandenong on October 25th, 1938. Photograph taken in 1988. Text on plaque reads: FIFTY METRES BELOW THIS POINT ON 25 OCT. 1938, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL AIRWAYS' DC-2 'KYEEMA' PLUNGED TO DESTRUCTION WHILE THE MOUNTAIN WAS ENVELOPED IN CLOUD. ALL 18 PERSONS ON BOARD PERISHED. FROM THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SUBSEQUENT ENQUIRY HAVE EVOLVED THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS IN USE THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA TODAY. THIS PLAQUE, PLACED BY THE MOUNT DANDENONG HISTORICAL SOCIETY, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM G. GRAMP & SONS, THOS. HARDY & SONS, S. SMITH & SON, AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION OF AIR PILOTS AND FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTORIA, WAS UNVEILED ON 25TH OCT. 1978 TO MARK THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISASTER.kyeema, cairn, mt dandenong, air crash

In July 1947, the Commonwealth Defence Council approved the formation of a Fleet Air Arm which would be controlled and operated by the RAN. The initial planning included purchase of two aircraft carriers, aircraft and establishment of shore facilities. The carriers were named HMA Ships Sydney and Melbourne, and the shore facilities were at Nowra. HMAS Albatross was commissioned in August 1948 and the 20th Carrier Air Group, comprising Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft, was brought from England to Australia by HMAS Sydney. These aircraft, operated by 805 and 816 Squadrons, disembarked to Nowra in May 1949. In November 1950, they were joined by the Carrier Air Group of 808 and 817 Squadrons, also flying Sea Furies and Fireflies. HMAS Albatross has been expanding ever since. As more capable aircraft have been acquired, so ground support facilities have had to be built. In 1955, Sea Venoms and Gannets arrived, requiring radar workshops and test facilities. More aircraft necessitated stricter standards of air traffic control and a new control tower was built in 1958. In 1964 the introduction of Wessex helicopters, with a dunking sonar capability, required a further expansion of services. In 1965, it was decided to buy American aircraft to replace the ageing British Gannets and Sea Venoms. McDonnell Douglas Skyhawks and Grumman Trackers were chosenand additional avionics facilities were built to service the complex equipment they carried. The helicopters now based at HMAS Albatross have restored to the RAN much of the anti-submarine capability lost when the Tracker squadron was disbanded in 1983. In recent years significant redevelopment has taken place, continuing the operation of HMAS Albatross and recognising its strategic importance as the sole Royal Australian Navy Air Station.Wooden Plaque 15cm x 13cm with insignia of H.M.A.S. Albatross H.M.A.S. Albatross