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Taken
from in front of Hangar 3A, this view of the western apron shows the
corrugated iron fence which separated the airport from Doomben Racecourse.
On the aerodrome side of this fence is a large open stormwater drain
which can be seen to this day from Southern Cross Way, a motorway which
now passes through this area. Visible on the fence to the right is a
white bar with a disc which marks one of several so-called crash gates.
These were designed to present minimal resistance to rescue vehicles
in the event that an aircraft should come down outside the airport boundary.
This method was apparently deemed more expedient than looking for keys!
The white cones mark an area to the west of Hangar 3A which was reserved
for VIP visitors. This area included a permanent tubular steel structure
which could be covered with a tarpaulin to serve as a dais for visiting
dignatories. When this photograph was taken on 30 October 1965 the western
apron was bare apart from a few parked fuel tankers and the magnificent
U.S. Navy Super Constellation.
Photo: Prinzcolor transparency by Ron Cuskelly (A100) |