COMMONWEALTH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
CA-25 Winjeel A85-418
Click on image for larger version The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was awarded a contract in 1948 to produce two prototypes of a training aircraft to supercede both the deHavilland DH82 Tiger Moth and the CA-1 Wirraway as a primary and an advanced trainer.
The contract called for a fully aerobatic single engined low wing monoplane with side by side seating with a rear third seat, and a fixed undercarriage.
The CA-22 prototypes named Winjeel first flew in 1951, but a prolonged development period ensued to correct an overly stable non spinnable condition that was finally overcome by moving the tail fin and engine forward, and to install some other modifications that saw it’s entry into RAAF service delayed until 1955 as the CA-25 with a RAAF serial of A85.
A total of 62 CA-25s were produced by the CAC and were mainly used at No 1 Basic Flying Training School (BFTS) firstly at Uranquinty in New South Wales, and later at Point Cook in Victoria. An all through jet training scheme was introduced in 1968 that would see the retirement of the Winjeel, however the scheme lasted only two courses whereby the Winjeel continued a training role until superceded by the CT-4 Airtrainer in 1975. Some examples were used in the Forward Air Control role until this role retirement in 1994.
The Museum's Winjeel A85-418 was the 18th off the production line, delivered to the RAAF in March 1956, served with No1 BFTS, took part in the Laverton Air Show in January 1971, was struck off RAAF charge in May 1979 and went into private ownnership before being acquired by the Museum in 1982.
Many examples of the Winjeels are still airworthy and flying under private ownership as "War Birds".
TECHNICAL DATA
Power plant : 1x 450hp Pratt and Whitney R985 Wasp Junior seven cylinder radial engine
Length : 28'00'' (8.56m) Wingspan : 38'08'' (11.78m) Height : 9'01'' (2.77m)
Weights : empty - 3,400lbs (1,542kg) maximum - 4,340lbs (1,968kg)
Speeds : maximum - 162kt (194mph) (300km/hr) cruise - 137kt (164mph) ( 254km/hr)
Range : 572 miles (885 km)
The contract called for a fully aerobatic single engined low wing monoplane with side by side seating with a rear third seat, and a fixed undercarriage.
The CA-22 prototypes named Winjeel first flew in 1951, but a prolonged development period ensued to correct an overly stable non spinnable condition that was finally overcome by moving the tail fin and engine forward, and to install some other modifications that saw it’s entry into RAAF service delayed until 1955 as the CA-25 with a RAAF serial of A85.
A total of 62 CA-25s were produced by the CAC and were mainly used at No 1 Basic Flying Training School (BFTS) firstly at Uranquinty in New South Wales, and later at Point Cook in Victoria. An all through jet training scheme was introduced in 1968 that would see the retirement of the Winjeel, however the scheme lasted only two courses whereby the Winjeel continued a training role until superceded by the CT-4 Airtrainer in 1975. Some examples were used in the Forward Air Control role until this role retirement in 1994.
The Museum's Winjeel A85-418 was the 18th off the production line, delivered to the RAAF in March 1956, served with No1 BFTS, took part in the Laverton Air Show in January 1971, was struck off RAAF charge in May 1979 and went into private ownnership before being acquired by the Museum in 1982.
Many examples of the Winjeels are still airworthy and flying under private ownership as "War Birds".
TECHNICAL DATA
Power plant : 1x 450hp Pratt and Whitney R985 Wasp Junior seven cylinder radial engine
Length : 28'00'' (8.56m) Wingspan : 38'08'' (11.78m) Height : 9'01'' (2.77m)
Weights : empty - 3,400lbs (1,542kg) maximum - 4,340lbs (1,968kg)
Speeds : maximum - 162kt (194mph) (300km/hr) cruise - 137kt (164mph) ( 254km/hr)
Range : 572 miles (885 km)