No. 3 Service Flying Training School RAAF

Amberley, Queensland - home of No.3 SFTS - RAAF Museum photo

Brief History

No. 3 Service Flying Training School (3SFTS) was established at Amberley, Queensland in September 1940 as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme. The first course, No. 8, commenced flying CAC Wirraways from the grass airfield on 19 November 1940. Torrential rain soon made it apparent that 'all weaU1er' runways were essential and their construction began almost in\mediately. To ensure continuity of training, Wirraways often flew from Archerfield and Maryborough. A new working day of 0530-1830 hours was introduced to offset the weather, and aircraft maintenance was to be carried out in shifts throughout the night.

The runways and overrun areas were completed by 31 Aug 1941, and 13 Bellman hangars were in pace by I Oct 1941. Commencing in December 1941, construction was concentrated on protecting the base and the region from an air attack. By February 1942 this work was completed, and two reserve squadrons had been formed, and were operating at a satisfactory standard.

On 29 March 1942, orders were received to close 3SFTS. Courses, instructional and maintenance staff and most of the aircraft were to be divided between No. 1 Service Flying Training School, Point Cook. and No. 6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala. The last course to graduate from the school did so on 30 March marked the graduation of No. 17 Course, the last of 10 courses to be trained at 3SFTS. By 10 Apr 1942 all transfers had been completed.

Trainees

• † Roy Thomas Aston Wallis 11 Feb - 29 May 1941

Notes

Source of information - Units of the Royal Australian Airforce - A Concise History - Vol 8 Training Units - Australian Government Publishing Service, 1995