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Bowen Chemical Research Unit, Bowen Aerodrome
RAAF Special Duties Flight Detachment, No.1 Aircraft Performance Unit
The Bowen Chemical Research Unit grew from the Royal Australian Air Force’s Special Duties Flight Detachment, No.1 Aircraft Performance Unit, which had been formed at RAAF Laverton, Victoria. The RAAF unit was part of a larger collection of facilities at Innisfail and the Australian Field Experimental Station (AFES) at Proserpine and specialised in the delivery of chemical and special warfare for research units in the region.
Place information
Location
Place type
Scientific facility
History
The RAAF unit moved to Bowen in early 1944 and shared the airstrip with the RAAF 9 Squadron. When the 9 Squadron moved out, the Chemical Research Unit took over the airfield and formed as a separate unit on the 15 August 1944. It was eventually disbanded in December 1945.
Following the departure of the 9 Squadron RAAF, the Chemical Research Unit took command of all the facilities on the Bowen Airstrip and in December 1944 it constituated 12 officers and 112 airmen. The unit was equipped with Vultee Vengence A27 and Beaufort A9 aircraft. It was divided into four sections:...
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