You can’t visit Darwin without taking in the local aviation history including the bombing raids affecting the loc

al community in WWII. Sixty four bombing raids commencing February 1942 to November 1943 targeted the NT, reaching as far as Katherine. There were other raids too: 9 raids on Horn Island; 4 raids on Broome; 3 raids on Exmouth Gulf and 3 raids on Townsville.

There are tributes everywhere but you’ll find three stand-out exhibits at the Darwin Military Museum and the RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility at Stokes Hill Wharf.

 

RAID FOOTAGE

The Darwin Military Museum exhibits all things military with more guns of all shapes and sizes than you would like to know.

It’s next to two huge gun placements–think The Guns of Navarone. A walk around one of the empty placements gives you a feel for the size of these guns. A second gun placement exhibits displays including one dedicated to Vietnam Veterans.

The big guns housed here were never fired in anger. Although built to protect Darwin from the threat of Imperial Japanese Forces, they weren’t ready in time. In fact, the guns were scrapped and sold to the Japanese for metal.

A display room and theatrette shows footage of the first bombing raid. Old photos are  ‘enhanced’ to show the flames flickering. Very clever.

MARVEL AT A B52 G BOMBER

I find it fascinating how something as large as the B52 G Bomber at the Darwin Aviation Museum could remain airborne. The dominating display is beyond belief. There are many other planes there too, some live under the B52’s wings.

Added in is a good set of storyboards on the bombing, including information on the proposed currency for Australia, printed in Japan.

There is also a fine memorial commemorating Aussie soldiers who died in Vietnam that’s extremely moving.

WARTIME VIRTUAL REALITY

You’ll find exquisite virtual reality experiences at the RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility, including a clever Q&A session with our holographic war-time PM, John Curtin. Just choose a question and he will answer you. You can also query a Japanese pilot, Hajime Toyoshima, the first POW sent to camp in Cowra NSW who died in a historic escape attempt.

In one simulation, you’re asked to stand on a step overlooking a big screen. Suddenly the ground shakes, just a little, then it happens again–and again, every time a bomb lands, then there’s the ‘wind’ at your feet as they approach. It’s very clever.

The films are very realistic. For me, the best one was the VR of the first day. Although you’re seated with your feet on the ground, you’re gripping the chair’s arms when facing the void between you and the sea, a burning ship or shattered building. A bomb drops close by, you see it from the corner of your eye. The anti-aircraft guns fire so you duck!

The RFDS uses virtual reality elsewhere at this excellent tourist centre including an in-craft rescue simulation where a nurse tends a patient in tight quarters while a pilot negotiates clearance with flight towers along the route.