COMMONWEALTH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
CA-1 Wirraway A20-10
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The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was established in 1936 to produce aircraft for the RAAF. Manager Lawrence Wackett led a technical delegation to Europe to evaluate current types of European and American aircraft, and to recommend one suitable for the RAAF within the scope of local production. The North American Aircraft NA-16 was recommended, but by 1938 the NA33,a superior design, became available, and production of 40 aircraft commenced under license. This was the CA-1, with RAAF serial A20, and named Wirraway.
By 1946, 755 Wirraways had been produced and had been used in various roles during WW2.
Reversion to a training role began in 1943, and post war the type continued as an advanced trainer until 1955/56 when superceded by the CA-25 Winjeel. Some Wirraways continued as trainers with Citizen Air Force Squadrons until the final RAAF flight in December 1958, and the Wirraway was formally retired from service in 1959.
The Museum's aircraft, A20-10 was the eighth off the production line, and is the oldest surviving example of the type. It was used In the training role during and after WW2, and later sold to CAC for the Ceres project in 1960 but not used. A20-10 was acquired for the Museum by a member in 1963 and restored to ground running status in 2016.
TECHNICAL DATA
Power plant : 1x 600hp Pratt and Whitney R1340 seven cylinder radial engine
Length : 27'10'' (8.48m) Wingspan : 43'00'' (13.11m) Height : 8'09'' (2.66m)
Speeds : maximum - 190kt (220mph) (350km/hr) cruise - 158kt (182mph) (293km/hr)
Range : 720miles (1,160km)
By 1946, 755 Wirraways had been produced and had been used in various roles during WW2.
Reversion to a training role began in 1943, and post war the type continued as an advanced trainer until 1955/56 when superceded by the CA-25 Winjeel. Some Wirraways continued as trainers with Citizen Air Force Squadrons until the final RAAF flight in December 1958, and the Wirraway was formally retired from service in 1959.
The Museum's aircraft, A20-10 was the eighth off the production line, and is the oldest surviving example of the type. It was used In the training role during and after WW2, and later sold to CAC for the Ceres project in 1960 but not used. A20-10 was acquired for the Museum by a member in 1963 and restored to ground running status in 2016.
TECHNICAL DATA
Power plant : 1x 600hp Pratt and Whitney R1340 seven cylinder radial engine
Length : 27'10'' (8.48m) Wingspan : 43'00'' (13.11m) Height : 8'09'' (2.66m)
Speeds : maximum - 190kt (220mph) (350km/hr) cruise - 158kt (182mph) (293km/hr)
Range : 720miles (1,160km)