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    Eagle Farm Field (Doomben) Queensland Australia


ATIU c1944

Click For Enlargement
Justin Taylan 2000
Location
Lat 27° 25' 40S Long 153° 3' 0E  Eagle Farm Field was located at an elevation 52' / 15m adjacent to the Eagle Farm Racecourse, a horse racing track north of Brisbane. Also known as "Eagle Farm Airfield" or "Doomben Field" for nearby Camp Doomben. Some American wartime sources spell the location as "Eagle Farms" (plural) incorrectly.

Wartime History
During World War II, used by both the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft and units.

American units based at Eagle Farms
38th BG, Headquarters (B-26) Amberley arrives June 10, 1942August 7, 1942 departs Breddan
38th BG, 70th BS (ground echelon) USA arrives February 25, 1942–March 8, 1942 departs Ballarat
Air Technical Intelligence Unit (ATIU)

At Hanger 7, Air Technical Intelligence Unit (ATIU) headed by Frank McCoy operated at Eagle Farm to rebuild and flight test captured Japanese aircraft.

In early 1943, three A6M3 Model 32 Zeros including: A6M3 Zero 3028, A6M3 3030 and A6M3 3032 plus four Sakai engines and various other components captured at Buna Airfield arrived at Eagle Farm. These were rebuilt by Australian and American technicians into a single flyable A6M3 Zero (Hybrid) Tail XJ001 / EB-201. By late 1943, this Zero was shipped to the United States for further technical evaluation.

During late 1943 or early 1944, Ki-43-I Oscar (XJ002) captured at Lae Airfield was rebuilt to flying condition by March 17, 1944 and flight tested at Eagle Farm Airfield.

After the capture of Cape Gloucester, an intact Ki-61 Tony 263 (XJ003) was recovered, stripped and refurbished during the first half of 1944 at Eagle Farm. Flight tests in Australia were cut short due to metal cuttings in the engine. Afterwards, shipped to the United States during June 1944.

During late 1944, Ki-43-II "Racoon Special" (XJ004) captured and rebuilt at Hollandia before being flown to Eagle Farm for further flight testing.

Today
Eagle Farm Airfield is disused as a landing ground.

Hanger 7 Museum (Eagle Farm Community Heritage Center / EFCHC)
Museum at Hanger 7

References
Oz@War - Eagle Farm @ War
Oz@War - Air Technical Intelligence Unit (ATIU) Allied Air Forces Secret Operations
Oz@War - Camp Doomben Brisbane, Queensland During WWII

Hanger 7 - Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit (ATIU) Used Hanger 7 at Eagle Farm Airfield During WWII

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Last Updated
January 2, 2023

 

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