Background
The RAAF Radio Receiving Station and Airfield was located at Werribee, 35
km west of Melbourne, in WW2, built in 1940.
The facility was located west of the town, next to the Werribee River, in
Farm Rd, just off the Old Geelong Rd. The site was later used for the present-day Water Treatment Plant of Melbourne
Water, adjoining the recently opened (2012) Werribee Regional Park.
Werribee airfield was built as a satellite field for Point Cook and Laverton. It was
used for the storage of aircraft produced by CAC at Fisherman's Bend until required by the RAAF for night fighter operations.
It had an all over grass runway area with no defined runways.
Werribee airfield was also used for the assembly of aircraft coming from the UK as was
the International Farm Machinery factory at Geelong.
There were four large hangars built at Werribee.
It closed down in 1947.
This was the main Australian Central Receiving Station for the RAAF. There
were 52 AR7 receivers in racks, and 31 Rhombic antennas.
B24 Restoration and Museum
A legacy of the facility is a large aircraft hanger, which is
located just off the Old Geelong Rd next to the entrance to Melbourne Water.
This is a Museum, housing a B24 bomber,
which is being carefully restored.
Werribee RAAF Receiving Station - antenna
switching panel - 1944 - photo from Australian War Memorial
Adjusting receiving antenna feeder lines - photo
from Australian War Memorial
The receiving room, showing the 52 AR7 receivers - photo from Australian War Memorial
