Dates: 1948 -

The current site of HMAS Albatross was identified in 1938 and land was purchased in June 1939. The airfield was originally opened in 1935 at another site. The base was declared operational in July 1941. The airfield was used by squadrons of the Beaufort torpedo bombers of Royal Australian Air Force when it opened in 1942. Martin Marauder bombers of the USAAF were also based there in 1942-1943 for training as torpedo bombers.

In 1944, the need for the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy for shore bases led to RAAF Nowra, due to its proximity to Jervis Bay, being transferred to the RN, being renamed HMS Nabbington. This base was used by Mobile Overseas Naval Air Base (MONAB) No 1 from 21st December 1944 to 15th November 1945. The base supported the British Pacific Fleet’s aircraft carriers by providing shore based facilities for the Carrier Air Groups when the carriers were in Sydney for repairs and resupply. At the end of the Pacific War the British Pacific Fleet returned through its main base in Australia and FAA Squadrons transited through HMS Nabbington until it was decommissioned on the 15th November 1945. HMS Nabswick (MONAB 5) moved from the nearby Jervis Bay field to this site where it operated until the 18th March 1946 when the unit decommissioned and the site was retuned to the RAAF.

In 1947, the RAN’s own Fleet Air Arm was formed, and the Nowra airfield was chosen to be its main shore base. HMAS Albatross was commissioned on August 31, 1948, with its first squadrons disembarking from the new Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney in May 1949.

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMAS Albatross

" Quoting: Ian Hatch As a kid my parents took me to Pompey harbour to see a visiting US battleship - I would guess it was 46 or 47. Can anybody remember when the USS Missouri was visiting UK. I recall it was BIG! and my mother asked a cook if each of the crew could have one of the steaks on ..."

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" Quoting: William Grice I am desparately trying to trace any relatives or frienda of Lt Raymond Thomas Walker. DSC. RN. who was tragically killed in an air collision 20th July 1947 over Port Phillip Bay.Melbourne. Australia. Lt Walker was a pilot in 812 Squadron. 14th CAG. HMS Theseus. ..."

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" Good afternoon all or good morning in Blighty I should think that we will be moving house in about 28 posts from now. The tenure at this palace in Cyprus was not long enough. I didn’t get to see outside the bar and that nubile wench Margaret plowing up and down the swimming pool. I was ..."

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" Many years ago, the Coke and soft drink machine in the Senior Sailors mess (Sqt Mess) at HMAS Albatross, was a beer machine. Put your money for a tin of coke and you got a tin of Beer. Just had to know the code to get the right beer. Went on for years until a miserable non drinker went into the ..."

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