CAC  CA – 28 Ceres    VH- WOT   (on display)

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The post war upsurge in top dressing and crop spraying by air initially utilised modified aircraft such the Tiger Moth, which did not have sufficient power or capacity to Carry large loads and there was an obvious need for purpose built aircraft.

The use of two surplus Wirraway aircraft in the crop-dusting role by Super Spread Aviation of Moorabbin were a precursor to the development by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation of a purpose built agricultural aircraft, the Ceres, named after the Goddess of the Harvest.

The Ceres was initially intended to be an agricultural development of the Wirraway, and although CAC purchased a large number of retired aircraft from the RAAF as a source of parts, the resulting aircraft was not simply a conversion of the Wirraway but a new type incorporating certain Wirraway components.

The Ceres had many significant changes, a redesigned fuselage and new centre-section to incorporate the hopper, fixed undercarriage and leading edge slats to provide for field operations.

First flown in 1958, the  Ceres could lift 1 ton of powdered or liquid fertilizer in a stainless steel hopper.  A total of 21 were built by CAC, with 6 exported to New Zealand, before they were surplanted in 1963 by purpose built American aircraft such as the Piper Pawnee which offered lower operating costs.

The Museum’s aircraft flew with Airfarm Associates of New South Wales until it was all but destroyed in an accident in 1976.  The remains of this aircraft and two others were recovered from Cootamundra airfield in NSW, and one aircraft restored from these remains over an eight year period.

Engine:            9 Cylinder radial 600HP Pratt &                         Whitney Wasp (CAC) Length:            30 feet   8.5 inches  (  9.36 m) Span:               46 feet  11 inches    (  14.30 m) Height:             11 feet   0 inches    (   3.35 m) Weight:            4,475 pounds (empty) ( 2,030 kg) Speed:             185 mph (cruise)    ( 293 kph) Range:             575 miles         (   925 km)

Photo Courtesy of Daniel Leahy