Andrew's Trip to RAAF Pearce

Officers Mess
RAAF Base Pearce
near Perth, Western Australia

	Every good Mess has to have a "plane-on-a-stick" out the front, and the Officers Mess at RAAF Pearce is no exception. The de Havilland Vampire jet aircraft was the RAAF's first jet fighter, and later the mainstay of flying training. There is a long association of this aircraft with the Base, and so it is fitting that this is the "plane-on-a-stick" here.
The Mess building itself dates from the early days of the base, established just prior to World War 2, with its distinctive Art Deco style.
	The main foyer showing the main stairs.
There are many interesting art works contained within the building. One of my favourites is the largest one in the Anteroom - it shows a painting of Hawker Demon biplanes, the first operational aircraft stationed at the air base flying over the base. If you look carefully, you can notice building that are still there to this day. Mind you, the base has changed a lot since those days!
	Inside the dining room, there is also much tradition. The main portrait is that of King George VI.
Every good mess also has a bar where thirsty aviators (and would be aviators) can come to relax. Look closely above the bar and you will see an old wooden airscrew. This was salvaged from an old World War 1 German Gotha bomber.