Originally Posted by
Old Akro
1963
Essendon Airport c.1963
2004
Essendon Airport 2004
Its a fair bit different than today and the structures closest to the runway look frangible and by virtue of the runway being shortened they are not as involved in the divergent fan area from the runway threshold. Quite a different kettle of fish.
Interesting pair of photos. You have much better eyes than mine if you can make out the type of construction of any of the buildings at end of 17, leave alone their frangibility, in the circa 1963 photo and the 2004 photo doesn't show the threshold of 35 for comparison.
Here's another page from the history of Essendon airport that is relevant;
2007
Note the following in the commentary;
In the south-eastern corner of the aerodrome, the former maintenance and stores area has been demolished (including the former Government Hangar) and replaced by a large retail shopping complex.
And what exactly is a 'divergent fan area'? The CASA Manual of Standards Part 139 - Aerodromes, Chapter 6 Physical Characteristics and Chapter 7 Design Standards for Licensed Aerodromes, are the relevant references and the concept of a fan area, divergent or otherwise, doesn't rate a mention. The DFO buildings, and the old workshops and DCA hangar before them, sit more than 200 metres off the centre line of 17 and are therefore well outside the required obstacle-free clearway.