In 1943 aircraft flew at 2600 metres over Sydney to take, for the first time, a series of photographs to aid road planning. The unique photographs had been held in the archives of Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) for more than 60 years. They provide an extraordinary snapshot of the city during World War II, such as US army tents on Warwick Farm Racecourse.
Following on from the successful From the Skies exhibition at the Museum of Sydney last year, you can order the CD-Rom or posters from the ransport Library or the NSW Government online bookshop.
CD-Rom
The CD-Rom From the Skies – 1943 aerial photography contains all of the greater Sydney 1943 aerial photographs as a navigable map so you can search streets and try to find your house. There are also interviews with photogrammetry staff. The cost of the CD-Rom is $39.95 (including GST).
Posters
The A1 size posters provide a fascinating insight into the development of Australia’s biggest city. There are 10 different posters available of the following areas:
- Sydney CBD.
- Homebush Bay.
- Warwick Farm.
- North Sydney.
- Baulkham Hills.
- Port Botany.
- Sydney Airport.
- Maroubra.
- Marsfield and Macquarie Park.
- Strathfield.
Each poster shows both the 1943 aerial photograph and its modern-day equivalent. They show how a number of sites have changed remarkably – the diversion of Cooks River at Sydney Airport, the development of reclaimed land at Port Botany, the building of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney city and Homebush Bay is now home to Sydney’s Olympic Park. In contrast, other sites have remained largely unchanged, like the residential area of Strathfield.
The cost of each poster is $14.95 (including GST) RMS cannot provide individual aerial photographs other than the posters of the 10 areas.
To order
You can order online with your credit card at the NSW Government Online Bookshop.
Alternatively, phone Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) Library on (02) 8849 2913 or email Transport Library (payment can be made by credit card, cheque or money order).