August 1942

November 7, 1942

Location
Located just outside Mareeba. Also named Hovett Field in honor of an American serviceman killed in a B-17 crash.

Construction
Two runways were built at this location with an extensive taxiway between both strips and dispersal area around the runways. Also, anti-aircraft gun pits and air raid shelters were built, but never used in combat.

USAAF Units based at Mareeba
19th BG, 93rd BS (B-17) Longreach July 23, 42 - Oct 25, 43 to USA
19th BG, 28th BS (B-17) Longreach July 24, 42 - Oct 25, 43 to USA
19th BG, 30th BS (B-17) Longreach July 24, 42 - Oct 25, 43 to USA
19th BG, HQ (B-17) Longreach July 24, 1942 - Oct 23, 1943 to USA
43rd BG, 63th BS (B-17) Torrens Creek Aug 20, 1942 - Jan 20, 43 7-Mile
7th BG, 28th BS (B-17) May - November 18, 1942 to USA
43rd BG, 65th BS (B-17) Iron Range Nov 7, 42 - Jan 20, 43 7-Mile
43rd BG, 64th BS (B-17) Iron Range Nov 8, 42 - Jan 20, 43 7-Mile
43rd BG, 403rd BS (B-17, B-24) Turnbull Jan 21, 43 - May 10, 43 7-Mile
8th FG, 36th FS (P-39) Turnbull Feb 22 - May 22, 1943 to Port Moresby
8th FG, 80th FS (P-38) from 3-Mile Feb 6 - March 21, 43 to POM
8th FG, 35th FS (P-39) Milne Bay Feb 24 - May 10, 1943 Port Moresby
8th FG, HQ (P-39) Milne Bay February 24 - May 16, 1943 Port Moresby

Today
One of the two runways is still in use today as the Mareeba Airport. The other runway has been redeveloped into a mangrove farm area. Around the former airfield, are several air raid shelters and the outlines of gunpits.

Mareeba Memorial
Memorial at the airfield to USAAF and RAAF aircrews based here during the war.

North Queensland Warbirds
Located at the airfield, restoration and storage hanger, musuem and P-40N project