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Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 28 Radar Station, Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island in the Barrier Reef off the coast from Cairns is a popular national park and tourist destination. An Australian radar station was built on the seaward side of the island’s highest point in late 1942 to monitor aircraft approaching Trinity Bay and the important harbour and port of Cairns. Today all that remains on the site are the concrete footings of the radar tower, engine mounts for a generator, and a concrete floor slab and water tank base.
Place information
Location
Place type
Radar/signal station
History
RAAF 28 Radar Station was formed at Cairns in October 1942. The unit was transferred to Fitzroy Island in December 1942 to install radio direction finding equipment, based around an Australian-built AW (air warning) Mk II radar set. The Fitzroy Island radar station was supported by RAAF 25 Operational Base Unit and 33 Zone Filter Centre at Cairns, and operated in conjunction with RAAF 3 Fighter Sector Headquarters at Townsville (3 Fighter Sector was renamed 103 Fighter Control Unit in March 1944). Construction of the radar station facilities at Fitzroy Island was undertaken by the Cairns Harbour Board.
Construction of the...
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