Caversham Airfield | |
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Summary | |
Location | Caversham, Australia |
Coordinates | 31°50′16″S 115°58′27″E / 31.83778°S 115.97417°ECoordinates: 31°50′16″S 115°58′27″E / 31.83778°S 115.97417°E |
Map | |
Location in Western Australia |
Location | Caversham, Australia |
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Owner | Department of Defence |
Operator | Western Australia Sporting Car Club |
Opened | 1946 |
Closed | 1968 |
Major events |
Australian Grand Prix Australian Drivers' Champ. Six Hour Le Mans |
Length | 3.50 km (2.18 mi) |
Turns | 10 |
Caversham Airfield, also known as Middle Swan Airfield was an airfield constructed at Caversham, Western Australia during World War II as a parent aerodrome for the United States Fleet Air Arm of the 7th Fleet.
The airfield had a triangle of three landing strips.
Middle Swan was the parent airfield with the following satellite airfields:-
The United States Army Air Corps also utilised the airfield during World War II.
It was also a gliding club location after the war.
The airfield was later utilised as a motor racing circuit, hosting its first event in 1946. It became Western Australia's premier motor racing venue, hosting the Australian Grand Prix in 1957 and 1962 and the Six Hour Le Mans endurance race from 1955 to 1968. Racing activities ceased when the airfield was re-activated as a military facility and Western Australian racing shifted to Wanneroo Raceway in 1969.