Aviation Heritage Museum of WA

Child Places

• 25935 Air Force Association Club

Statement of Significance

• The place contains one of only a few hypar structures erected in the State;
• The place demonstrates two innovative engineering approaches to large-span structures by former PWD Engineer, Lewis Harding, whose patents for stress erected truss systems were later purchased, and developed and used nationally and internationally;
• The place comprises modest examples of buildings that use hypar and stress erected arch construction forms;
• The place is valued by the community for its collection of museum artefacts, which demonstrate aviation history in the State.

Physical Description

P12166 Aviation Heritage Museum, Bull Creek comprises two large timber, steel, and concrete structures used to house the RAAFA Aviation Heritage Museum. The structures are the Hyperbolic paraboloid (Hypar) south wing (1979) and the stretched arch north wing (1982). The collection includes many notable aviation museum pieces, including two WWII planes. There are also various ancillary structures (e.g. administration, library, gift shop), inside the museum buildings.
South Wing (1979)
The southern building is a hyperbolic paraboloid structure with a 50m x 25m area of uninterrupted floor space. The structure comprises steel framing with single-length timber purlins, which is clad with corrugated metal and painted white.
North Wing (1982)
The northern building is a stressed arch constructed structure with a 50m x 32m area of uninterrupted floor space. When constructed, it was erected flat and then force applied to either side to push the roof upwards. The building is constructed of steel and corrugated metal.

History

On 17 November 1979, the South Wing was opened. The main structural load of the roof was carried on six main supports, two on each of the long walls and two on the shorter end walls. These main load bearing features support the main beams of the roof off which the rest is supported. The building is 50 metres long and 25 metres wide, giving a total covered floor space of 1250 square metres.
On 17 December 1983, the North Wing was officially opened. The building is 50 metres long and 32 metres wide, giving a total covered floor space of 1600 square metres.
Since this time, further additions have been made to cater for the growing collection and expansion of the museum. This includes a walkway in the North Wing, book and photograph library, model aeroplane collection, and accessioning offices

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.