The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Elevated view of members of the Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC) manning the big operations table at the RAAF Air Defence Headquarters (HQ) at Preston Town Hall. Specially trained civilians of the VAOC did this secret work in Sydney, NSW, and Melbourne, for nearly eighteen months, releasing Service personnel for other work. The Air Defence HQ received reports from observation posts via Zone Control Centres. The people at the filter table received reports directly from the coastal radar stations. The two shown would be in contact with Cape Otway (13RS) on the left and Wilsons Promontory (14RS) on the right. All the information was plotted on the Main Operations board so that aircraft could be sent to investigate or engage unidentified or hostile aircraft, ships or submarines. By late 1944 their role was primarily assisting friendly aircraft that were lost or off course.
Victoria. C. 1943. The Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC) Control Centre in a country town. This Control Centre is staffed by volunteers and received reports day and night from all observation posts
The capital city Control Room of the Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC) where movements of all aircraft in the area are plotted and watched, being manned on this occasion by WAAAF personnel. This Op
Series number AWM191 Series title Volunteer Air Observers Corps monthly reports Series contents range 28 Feb 1942 – 25 Feb 1946 Extent 1.75 m Access conditions Subject to the Australian Arch
North Qld. C. 1943. Group portrait on the occasion when two members of the RAAF flew in by a De Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth aircraft to visit a bush hospital to establish a reporting post for the Volun
1943? NIGHT SCENE IN A COUNTRY OBSERVATION POST OF THE VOLUNTEER AIR OBSERVER CORPS (VAOC). HUSBAND AND WIFE SIGNED UP THE LOG BOOK ON BEGINNING THEIR TOUR OF DUTY AND THEN LISTENED FOR THE SOUND OF A
DARWIN, NT. 1943-06-22. 359840 WARRANT OFFICER E. EMMERSON, IN CHARGE OF ALL RADIO EQUIPMENT OF NO. 54 SQUADRON, ROYAL AIR FORCE, IS SEEN WEARING TOPEE, WITH 1223276 CORPORAL G. H. SMITH OUTSIDE THE C
