The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of Australia produced the CAC Wirraway, a versatile military aircraft primarily used for training purposes.
Manufactured from 1939 to 1946, this aircraft was based on the North American NA-16 training plane.
The Wirraway holds significant importance in the history of Australian aircraft manufacturing, as it laid the groundwork for future advancements in this field.
During the Second World War, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) utilised a number of Wirraways in combat roles.
These aircraft were primarily employed as light bombers and ground attack units, targeting the advancing forces of the Empire of Japan.
Although the Wirraway was primarily designed as a general-purpose aircraft and was present in limited quantities across various front-line squadrons, it was frequently called upon to engage in combat when the need arose.
In particular, fighter versions of the Wirraway were deployed over regions like New Guinea, where they undertook ground attack missions and provided support to the Army for extended periods.
This continued until more advanced aircraft became available in sufficient numbers.
Notably, on 12 December 1942, a Wirraway piloted by Pilot Officer John S. “Jack” Archer achieved its sole shoot-down of an enemy aircraft.
Initially believed to be a Mitsubishi A6M Zero, it was later identified as a Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) played a significant role during the Second World War by deploying a number of Wirraways in combat operations.
These aircraft were primarily utilised as light bombers and ground attack units, specifically targeting the advancing forces of the Empire of Japan.
Although the Wirraway was originally designed as a general-purpose aircraft and was only available in limited quantities within most front-line squadrons, it was frequently pressed into combat duty whenever the situation demanded it.
Notably, the fighter versions of the Wirraway were extensively employed in theatres like New Guinea, where they undertook ground attack missions and provided crucial support to the Army for extended periods.
This continued until more advanced aircraft became accessible in sufficient numbers to replace the Wirraway.
On 12 December 1942, a significant milestone was achieved by the Wirraway when it successfully shot down an enemy aircraft.
This remarkable feat occurred while the aircraft was being flown by Pilot Officer John S. “Jack” Archer.
Initially, the enemy aircraft was believed to be a Mitsubishi A6M Zero, a prominent Japanese fighter plane.
However, subsequent investigations revealed that the downed aircraft was, in fact, a Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa.
This incident marked the only recorded shoot-down of an enemy aircraft by a Wirraway throughout its operational history.
The Wirraway’s involvement in combat operations during the Second World War showcased its adaptability and versatility.
Despite being primarily designed as a general-purpose aircraft; it proved its worth in combat.
Subsequent to the conclusion of the conflict, the Wirraway aircraft was utilised as a training platform by various branches of the Australian military for a period exceeding ten years.
Specifically, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the newly established Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Fleet Air Arm, and units of the Citizen Air Force all employed the Wirraway in a training capacity.
By the year 1957, the RAN had phased out its remaining Wirraways, opting to replace them with the more advanced de Havilland Vampire jet-powered aircraft.
Concurrently, the RAAF began the process of decommissioning its remaining Wirraway fleet during the latter part of the 1950s.
The retirement of the last RAN Wirraway in 1957 coincided with the introduction of the CAC Winjeel into squadron service.
This transition marked a significant shift in the Australian military’s training aircraft inventory, as the older Wirraways were gradually replaced by more modern platforms.
The RAAF, in particular, completed the retirement of its Wirraway fleet by the end of the 1950s, aligning with the broader trend of transitioning to newer, jet-powered aircraft.
The final military flight involving a Wirraway aircraft took place on 27 April 1959, officially marking the end of an era for this particular aircraft type.
Noteworthy is the fact that the Wirraway played a pivotal role in the development of another Australian-designed aircraft known as the Boomerang.
This wartime “emergency fighter” was conceptualized based on the Wirraway’s design and was subsequently produced by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC).
The Boomerang, like its predecessor, served a crucial role in Australia’s military aviation history, showcasing the country’s capability to design and manufacture indigenous aircraft solutions during times of conflict.
The legacy of the Wirraway, therefore, extends beyond its operational service as a trainer, encompassing its influence on subsequent aircraft designs developed by Australian aviation industry.
720 mi (1,160 km, 630 nmi) at 164 mph (143 kn; 264 km/h)
Service ceiling
23,000 ft (7,000 m)
Rate of climb
1,950 ft/min (9.9 m/s)
Armament
Guns
2 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers Mk V machine guns synchronised to fire through the propeller arc and 1 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers ‘GO’ machine gun on a flexible mount in the rear cockpit.
Later versions had no Vickers Mk V guns but had provision for 2 × 0.303 (7.7 mm) Browning An-M2 machine guns mounted under the outer wing panels.
Bombs
2× 500 lb (227 kg) bombs & 2× 250 lb (113 kg) bombs (CA 16 only)
Or
3× 100 lb (45 kg) bombs
Or
12× 8.5 lb (3.9 kg)
Or
115.5 lb (52.4 kg) bombs
&
8× marker flares.
Sources
Aircraft and Markings of the R.A.A.F. 1939-45-Geoffrey Pentland.
