Archerfield Second World War Igloos Complex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Archerfield Second World War Igloos Complex |
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Igloo No. 4 is occupied by Thiess
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| Location | 98-138 Kerry Road, Archerfield Airport, Archerfield, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1939 - 1945 (World War II) |
| Built | February 1943 - circa April 1944 |
| Official name: Archerfield Second World War Igloos Complex, Hastings Deering (Australia) Ltd premises, Thiess Contractors Pty Ltd premises | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 27 August 1999 |
| Reference no. | 602150 |
| Significant period | 1943-1944 (fabric) 1943-1945 (historical) |
| Significant components | drainage, igloo, hangar, bridge/viaduct - road, store/s / storeroom / storehouse |
| Builders | Allied Works Council |
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The Archerfield Second World War Igloos Complex is a special group of buildings in Archerfield, Australia. These buildings are called "igloos" because of their curved shape. They were built between 1943 and 1944 during World War II by the Allied Works Council.
These igloos were used as hangars to fix and maintain military aircraft. They were very important for the war effort in the South West Pacific. Today, they are recognized as a heritage site.
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Why Were the Archerfield Igloos Built?
The Archerfield Second World War Igloos Complex includes three former igloo hangars and one igloo store. These buildings are made of timber frames with corrugated iron roofs. They were built in 1943-44 by the Allied Works Council. This council was a special group set up to manage construction during the war.
The igloos were used to maintain and repair military aircraft. They were controlled by the US 81st Air Depot Group and the U.S. 5th Air Force. These forces were part of General Douglas MacArthur's Supreme Headquarters in the South West Pacific. These igloos are known for being some of the longest clear-span buildings in Australia. This means they have a very wide open space inside without many support columns.
Archerfield's Role in Aviation History
The area where the igloos are located became known as Archerfield in 1929. Before that, it was mostly farmland. The first airport in Brisbane was at Eagle Farm, starting in 1923. However, Eagle Farm often flooded.
So, in 1928, the Brisbane City Council chose Archerfield as the site for a new airport. The Commonwealth Government bought most of the land. Flying activities moved from Eagle Farm to Archerfield in 1930-31. The Queensland Aero Club also moved there in 1931.
Archerfield Aerodrome became very important during World War II. It served as a base for Australian, American, British, and Dutch air squadrons. It was also used for repairing military aircraft and for training. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Archerfield was put on "war alert." Planes were spread out to protect them from attacks.
Australia's Air Force and World War II
The Australian Flying Corps was part of the Australian Army during the First World War. Later, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was formed in 1921. It was the second independent air force in the world.
In the 1920s and 1930s, the RAAF faced challenges with funding and old aircraft. However, the threat of war in the mid-1930s led to improvements. When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, Australia declared war.
Australia joined the Empire Air Training Scheme. This program trained many aircrew from Australia and other countries to help Britain. Australia contributed over 27,000 people to this scheme during the war.
When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the war came closer to Australia. Many US planes were sent to Brisbane for assembly. Archerfield played a key role in this. On 19 February 1942, the Japanese bombed Darwin. This showed how vulnerable Australia was.
Because of the danger, all Allied forces in the South West Pacific were placed under General Douglas MacArthur in April 1942. His headquarters were in Brisbane. The Allied Works Council (AWC) was formed in February 1942 to build military structures quickly. They used a large workforce, including people who were drafted to help.
Building the Archerfield Igloos
In 1939, Archerfield began to be used for military training. By 1941, many buildings were constructed for the RAAF. In July 1942, the RAAF moved out, and Archerfield was used mainly by U.S. forces. They flew planes like B-17 Flying Fortresses and Dakotas from Archerfield.
In 1943, a site on Kerry Road was chosen for five large timber igloos. These igloos were built by the Allied Works Council for aircraft production. They were near Archerfield Aerodrome, and a special taxiway connected them. This allowed aircraft to move easily between the airfield and the igloos for repair. Four igloos were hangars, and one was a store.
The construction of these igloos started around February 1943. They were designed to be used both during and after the war. This was called "dual purpose planning." It meant the buildings would be useful for industry and development even after the fighting stopped.
By April 1944, all five igloos were nearly finished. The larger igloo hangars had walkways inside for easier access to planes. When U.S. forces moved to the Philippines, their work at Archerfield slowed down. From February 1945, the Royal Naval Air Service used some igloos. They assembled and repaired aircraft for the British fleet.
How Were the Igloos Built?
During the war, there was a shortage of workers and building materials like steel. So, new ways were needed to build large structures quickly. Prefabrication, where parts are made off-site and then assembled, was a solution.
The igloos at Archerfield used a special design from America. They were built with small pieces of timber, even unseasoned wood, nailed together. These pieces formed a strong, curved framework covered with corrugated iron. Each igloo was made of two half-arches, joined at the top.
These igloos were designed to be built quickly and cheaply. The half-arches could be lifted into place with ropes and pulleys. The Archerfield igloos are famous for being among the longest clear-span buildings in Australia. This shows how clever the design and construction methods were.
What Happened After World War II?
After the war, the RAAF stayed at Archerfield until 1946. Archerfield became Brisbane's secondary airport, used for general aviation and flying schools. The main airport moved back to Eagle Farm in 1949.
Today, the igloos are privately owned. Thiess Contractors Pty Ltd bought one of the sites in 1965 and still owns Igloo No. 4. Hastings Deering (Australia) Ltd owns the other three igloos. They use them for selling and servicing earthmoving equipment. Some changes have been made to the igloos, like new roofs and added office buildings.
What Do the Igloos Look Like Today?
The complex has four timber-framed igloos. They have corrugated iron or ribbed metal sheet cladding. They are numbered 1 to 4 from the eastern end.
All four igloos are built in a similar way. They have a curved shape made from nailed timber arches. Each arch is made of two half-arches joined at the top. These arches are built from four main timber chords (long pieces of wood) that form a curved, open-latticed box shape.
The roofs were originally corrugated iron, but Igloos 1-3 now have ribbed metal sheeting. They also have clear panels in the roof to let in natural light. There are vents along the top for air circulation. The floors are concrete. Original stormwater drains along the sides are still in use. Inside, the igloos are used for storage and manufacturing.
- Igloo No. 1 is the smallest and was the former store. It is closer to Kerry Road than the others. It has extra skillion (sloping) roofed sections on the sides.
- Igloo No. 2 is the largest. It has an overhead walkway near the roof's peak. Its base supports are raised higher, giving more clearance inside. It has a large office building added to one end and other additions for painting and engine testing.
- Igloo No. 3 and Igloo No. 4 are similar in size. Igloo No. 3 has skillion roofed side sections and the name "HASTINGS DEERING" on its northern wall. Igloo No. 4 has original gable-roofed side entrances and is used by Thiess Contractors.
Large parking areas are in front of the igloos. There's also an original concrete drainage channel that runs along the front of the site and then turns south between Igloos 1 and 2.
Why Are the Igloos Heritage Listed?
The Archerfield Second World War Igloos Complex was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 1999. This means it's considered an important historical site.
- Important to Queensland's History: These igloos show how important Archerfield Aerodrome was during World War II. They were key for repairing military aircraft and helping the Allied war effort. They also show how Australia shifted its focus to working with America during the war. The igloos are an example of the huge wartime construction projects. They also show "dual purpose planning"—buildings made to be useful both during and after the war.
- Shows Key Characteristics: The igloos are very well-preserved examples of Second World War military aircraft repair facilities. They also show how timber construction technology advanced during the war. They are a great example of how large, lightweight structures could be built quickly and cheaply using simple methods.
- Aesthetic Significance: The igloos are very large and simple buildings that stand out in the landscape. Their size and curved shape make them local landmarks. Inside, you can clearly see the clever timber structure, and the large open spaces with natural light are impressive.
- Creative or Technical Achievement: The igloos represent a significant achievement in timber construction. They allowed for very long, clear spans using small, hand-nailed timber pieces. This was a creative and technical solution to wartime building challenges.
See Also
- List of World War II fortifications in Australia
Images for kids
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Igloo No. 3, 2015
