Allison Testing Stands | |
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Site in 2015
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Location | 116 Lamington Avenue, Eagle Farm, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
Coordinates | 27°25′32″S 153°05′23″E / 27.4255°S 153.0898°ECoordinates: 27°25′32″S 153°05′23″E / 27.4255°S 153.0898°E |
Design period | 1939 - 1945 (World War II) |
Built | c. 1942 |
Official name: Allison Testing Stands (former) | |
Type | state heritage (built) |
Designated | 5 August 2003 |
Reference no. | 602329 |
Significant period | 1942-43 (fabric) 1942-1944 (historical) |
Builders | USAAF 81st Air Depot Group, Allied Works Council |
Allison Testing Stands is a heritage-listed engine test stand at 116 Lamington Avenue, Eagle Farm, City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was built c. 1942 by USAAF 81st Air Depot Group and the Allied Works Council. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 5 August 2003.
The former Allison Testing Stands was an aero engine testing facility constructed in three stages during 1942-43 for the purpose of static testing of engines from the General Motors-Holden's Ltd overhaul plant at Breakfast Creek, Brisbane. Simple and functional in design, the site encompasses six open stands constructed by servicemen of the 81st Air Defence Group of the 44th Depot Repair Squadron; two enclosed engine stands constructed by the Allied Works Council; two open stands of unknown construction; and a concrete pavement area which is the site of former associated buildings.
The first Allison Testing Stands were constructed on the eastern side Schneider Road and the Eagle Farm Aerodrome in November–December 1942 as a consequence of arrangements made for Australia to serve as a stronghold for United States (US) operations in the Pacific during World War II (WWII). The area, however, had previous links with aviation.
The original Eagle Farm Aerodrome, west of Schneider Road, was established by the Civil Aviation Branch of the Department of Defence in 1922 as the civilian landing ground for the city of Brisbane. Prior to this the 34 hectare site had been used for dairying by previous owners, David Wilson and William Lynn. Other dairy farms continued to operate nearby, most significantly that on the eastern side of Schneider Road on sub A allotment 4 portion 3, Parish of Toombul, County of Stanley which from 1922 was owned by George Franklin.