Government Aircraft Factories
Government Aircraft Factories (GAF) was the name of an aircraft manufacturer owned by the Government of Australia. The primary factory was located at Fishermans Bend, a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria. It had its origins in the lead-up to World War II, during which it was known as the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP). In 1987, GAF was reorganised and renamed as Aerospace Technologies of Australia (ASTA), then privatised. ASTA was purchased by Rockwell International, that was in turn purchased by Boeing a few years later. ASTA subsequently formed the nucleus of Boeing Australia.
Main entrance to the Government Aircraft Factories at Fishermans Bend in 1985
Bristol Beaufort production at DAP Australia c. 1943.
Aerial view of GAF along the Yarra River showing the taxiway between the back of the factory and the Fishermans Bend runway c. 1954
GAF-built Canberra B.20 of the RAAF at London Heathrow in October 1953 before the start of the England-New Zealand air race
Fishermans Bend, Victoria
Fishermans Bend is a precinct within the City of Port Phillip and the City of Melbourne. It is located on the south of the Yarra River in the suburb of Port Melbourne and opposite Coode Island, close to the Melbourne central business district. Fishermans Bend originally included the area now known as Garden City, which was renamed in 1929.
Fishermans Bend, Victoria
RAAF Bristol Beaufort Mk.V torpedo bombers at the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) plant in Fisherman's Bend, circa 1941.
Prime Minister of Australia Ben Chifley at the launching of the first mass-produced Australian car at the General Motors-Holden factory, Fisherman's Bend.
