The Aviation Heritage Museum

RAAF ASSOCIATION AVIATION HERITAGE MUSEUM

The Aviation Heritage Museum of Western Australia, the Bull Creek Collection, is owned and operated by the Western Australian Division of the RAAF Association. The beginnings of the museum date from the late 1950s when the Association acquired a late mark Spitfire to serve as the centrepiece for its commemorative activities. In the early 1960s the Association also acquired a Lancaster bomber as a reminder of the activities of its members who flew over Europe during World War II.

During the 1960s the Association collected other aviation heritage memorabilia including books and photographs. By 1970 the informal collection had grown to such a size that the Association began planning a museum to house it all. The Aviation Historical Group of the Association was formed to look after and extend the collection and it was active throughout the decade in collecting, restoring and displaying aeroplanes and other aviation heritage artefacts.

In 1971 the Association began developing its Memorial Estate at Bull Creek to provide accommodation for its members and associates in their later years. A site was set aside on the estate for an aviation museum. In 1979 the Western Australian government granted the Association $100 000 to construct a museum building and it was opened on 17 November 1979.

That building was sufficient to house most of the Museum's smaller aeroplanes but not the Lancaster and the recently acquired Douglas Dakota. The RAAF Association raised more money and constructed a new and larger building behind the first one to house these very large exhibits. It was opened on 17 December 1983.

Since then further facilities have been added to the Museum and many more items have been donated to its collection.

The Role of the Museum

The Aviation Heritage Museum of Western Australia has five main roles.

Preservation and Conservation

The Museum was created to preserve and give a home to the aeroplanes and other artefacts which make up Western Australia's aviation heritage. They make up the Bull Creek Collection.

Commemoration

The Museum is the focus for many RAAF Association commemoration activities and some displays commemorate the achievements and sacrifice of Air Force personnel in war and peace. The Spitfire replica mounted at the entrance to the Memorial Estate and in front of the Museum is a symbol of this commemorative role.

Education

The Museum's displays help to tell the story of our aviation history and heritage. In addition, the Museum caters specially for school groups with tours and in-service courses for teachers.

Research

The Museum has built up an extensive collection of documentary, photographic and other research resources. They are used by Museum staff in preparing displays and publications and are available to anyone interested in researching aviation history.

Public Service

The Museum encourages the public to use its facilities. It is an interesting place for tourists to visit and is available for special functions such as receptions and official launches.

Museum Facilities

MUSEUM FACILITIES AND SERVICES

The Aviation Heritage Museum of Western Australia has the full range of museum facilities. It has over three thousand square metres of floor display space and research, storage and workshop facilities. It is located on the RAAF Association's Memorial Estate in the leafy suburb of Bull Creek south of Perth.

South Wing

The initial Museum building which was constructed in 1979 is now the Museum's South Wing. It was constructed with a unique hyperbolic roof giving 1250 square metres of unobstructed floor space. It is the entrance to the Museum and houses the civil aeroplanes and the Museum shop.

North Wing

The second major Museum building was completed in 1983 and is now known as the North Wing. It's large hangar like structure with a floor space of 1600 square metres houses the Museum's military aeroplanes including the Lancaster and Dakota. The recently added display gallery houses displays commemorating the activities of Air Force personnel in Europe during World War II.

Ancillary Facilities

Between the North and South Wings are located several outdoor displays and buildings housing vital museum functions. The Education and Records building is used to hold the courses for museum guides and workers, for teacher in-service training, for the Museum Aviation Club and for accessioning work. The Library building houses the Museum's extensive book, journal and documentary collection in a stable environment with research facilities. There is also an Administration and Photographic records building which includes full photographic reproduction facilities.

Workshop

The Museum has a well serviced and equipped workshop on the Memorial Estate close to but separate from the Museum. In it the Museum's collection is restored and conserved. There is an attached outside storage area where large items of the collection can be stored temporarily.

Travelling displays

The Museum currently has two displays which explain its function and services. One is mounted on a special trailer and can be taken to outdoor functions such as aviation displays and fetes. The other is an indoor display mounted on self supporting panels ideal for libraries and open areas in shopping centres.

Publications

The Museum carries a large range of Aviation Books and magazines which are available for purchase at the Museum from the Museum Shop.

A Newsletter for Museum workers and Friends of the Museum is published.

Shop

The Shop at the Museum has a wide range of material available for purchase including postcards, models and aviation memorabilia. It also has a good selection of aviation books, many of them unavailable from normal retail outlets.

Friends of the Museum

A Friends group exists for those who are keen to support the Museum. For a membership donation of at least $20 Friends have free access to the Museum, receive two newsletters a year and have free access to research facilities. Ask for details on how to join.

Museum Youth Club

Only young people between the ages of 8 and 18 can join the Museum Aviation Club. Benefits of membership include tuition in a wide range of subjects related to aviation, monthly meetings, the opportunity to help in conserving the Museum's collection, organised trips to aerodromes, newsletters, free entry to the Museum and a discount at the Museum shop. Membership costs $11 a year, ask us for more details.

Contacting the Museum

Address:

RAAF Association Aviation Heritage Museum of WA, Air Force Memorial Estate Bull Creek Drive, Bull Creek Perth, Western Australia, 6149

Phone/Fax

Telephone from within Australia: (08) 9311 4470
Fax from within Australia: (08) 9311 4455
Telephone from overseas: +61 8 9311 4470
Fax from overseas: +61 8 9311 4455
Email: webmaster@raafawa.org.au

Visiting the Museum

The Aviation Heritage Museum is located on the Air Force Memorial Estate, in the Perth suburb of Bull Creek. Just 10 kilometres south of the city centre at the intersection of the Kwinana Freeway and Leach Highway visiting us could not be easier, below you'll find a simple map and more information on reaching us by public transport.

BY ROAD

From the city travel south down the Kwinana Freeway. Take the Leach Highway exit, turn left into Leach Highway and then right into Bull Creek Drive and the Memorial Estate and Museum are on your right. Look for the replica Spitfire at the entrance to the Estate and you have arrived.

From Perth Airport drive along the Tonkin Highway to the beginning of the Leach Highway. Follow the Leach Highway until you get to Bull Creek Drive.

There is ample parking at the Museum.

BY BUS

From central Perth take the 105 bus to the Booragoon (Garden City) bus station and then the 186 bus to Bull Creek Drive or the 170 from the City to Leach Highway. The first stop in Bull Creek Drive is opposite the Museum .

For latest information ring TransPerth on 13 62 13 or visit the TransPerth website at: www.transperth.wa.gov.au

Don't forget to let us know if you are interested in:

Visiting us

Becoming a Friend of the Museum

Joining the Aviation Youth Club

Using the museum's research facilities

Making a donation to the collection

Working with us as a museum volunteer

Receiving any other assistance

Doing work experience or work for the dole placements