2nd Darwin Control Tower

In mid-1950 DCA took over air traffic control responsibility at Darwin's military aerodrome from the RAAF when civil operations moved there from the nearby Parap Aerodrome. The former RAAF Tower was an open-sided shack on stilts and was replaced by this civil Control Tower constructed under a water reservoir - easily the strangest Tower ever built in Australia!

Air traffic controller Ray Soden was sent on temporary transfer from Sydney to commission the facility, and to train and check four controllers. This photo shows the Tower shortly after commissioning. In 1959 it was replaced by a more modern Tower although the building remained standing, looking much the same, and is currently (c.2006) heritage listed.

(Photo: CAHS/Ray Soden collection)

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2nd Darwin Control Tower - 1950

In mid-1950 DCA took over air traffic control responsibility at Darwin's military aerodrome from the RAAF when civil operations moved there from the nearby Parap Aerodrome. The former RAAF Tower was an open-sided shack on stilts and was replaced by this civil Control Tower constructed under a water reservoir - easily the strangest Tower ever built in Australia! Air traffic controller Ray Soden was sent on temporary transfer from Sydney to commission the facility, and to train and check four controllers. This photo shows the Tower shortly after commissioning. In 1959 it was replaced by a more modern Tower although the building remained standing, looking much the same, and is currently (c.2006) heritage listed. (Photo: CAHS/Ray Soden collection) Back to the main Air Traffic Services index If this page appears without menu bars at top and left, click here