No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF

Two airmen assigned to No. 7 Elementary Flying School with two of the unit's Tiger Moth aircraft at Western Junction Aerodrome AWM photo

Brief History

The 7 Elementary Flying Training School was established on 29 Aug 1940 at Western Junction, the airport at Launceston, Tasmania. At the time work was still being undertaken on buildings and other facilities, and the men were billeted in Launceston. It was not until 11 Sep 1940 that the first ll Tiger Moth aircraft arrived, allowing the first course of trainee pilots to commence flying training on the 20th. A satellite field at Nile, seven and a half miles south of Western Junction, was completed.

By the end of October 1944, 1801 trainees had passed through No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School, and the aircraft strength stood at approximately 60 Tiger Moths. The base was regularly visited by Airspeed Oxford aircraft from No. 1 Operational Training Unit at Bairnsdale, as well as No. 67 Squadron Ansons on anti-submarine patrols over Bass Strait.

During December 1944, training was suspended at Western Junction, but it was not until 28 Mar 1945 that flying ceased, and the aircraft were prepared for storage. 7 Elementary Flying Training School was disbanded on 31 August 1945.

Unit Personnel

• Nicholas Keating 18 May 1942 - 17 Jan 1943
• Raymond George Bunney 26 Apr - 25 Aug 1942

Notes

Content has come from Units of the Royal Australian Air Force - A Concise History - Volume 8 Training Units pp 25 & 26 - Australian Government Publishing Service - 1995