Airfield History
 Williams Landing takes its name from the historic aviation base on which it is located, RAAF Williams airfield. It's named after Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams, the man many regard as the ‘father’ of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Whilst operations officially ceased at RAAF Williams Airfield in September 1996, the departure of a single jet Vampire from the airfield in February 1998 effectively signified the end of the airfield’s longstanding service to the RAAF.
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Over the course of its 70-year history with the RAAF the airfield was home to numerous Squadrons and was used by all manner of aircraft including; Hawker Demons, Beauforts, Hercules, Anson A4-1s, Wapitis, Bristol Bulldog fighters and jets such as Vampires, Sabres, Meteors and Canberras.
During the Second World War the airfield played an important protective role against enemy attack on Australia’s south-eastern coastline.
In later years, up until its closure, RAAF Williams continued to play a part in the RAAF’s operations as well as staging large scale air displays. | Timeline
| 1920 |
160-acre site acquired to develop Laverton airbase. |
| 1926 |
No 1 Aircraft Depot relocates to Laverton. Primary purpose assembly, testing and delivery of new aircraft. |
| 1927 |
Three aircrafts - one of them piloted by Sir Richard Williams - depart Laverton airbase in July on a journey around Australia, flying 11,890 miles and visiting 48 locations. |
| 1929 |
First test flight of Westland Wapiti. |
| 1930 |
First test flight of British Bulldog single seat fighter. |
| 1935 |
Test flight of the first Australian assembled Moth.
North Australian Survey flight party departs on April 29, returning September 16 after flying 80,000 kilometres and photographing 8,900 square kilometres. The largest aerial work ever undertaken by the RAAF. |
| 1936 |
No 21 Squadron formed. |
| 1939 |
No 12 Squadron formed. |
| 1943 |
1 Air Performance Unit formed to undertake full scale flight testing. |
| 1980 |
Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams died. He is properly remembered and honoured as the 'Father' of the Royal Australian Air Force. |
| 1996 |
Operations cease at the airfield. |
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