The Tugan LJW7 Gannet, which was later renamed the Wackett Gannet after its designer Lawrence Wackett, was a small twin-engined airliner that was constructed by Tugan Aircraft in Australia during the 1930s.
This aircraft was the first Australian-designed aircraft to be produced in series.
Additionally, it was the first Australian-designed and built aircraft to be adopted by the Royal Australian Air Force.
The Gannet was a conventional strut-braced, high-wing monoplane that featured twin engines mounted in nacelles on the wings.
The undercarriage was of fixed, tailwheel configuration with divided main units.
The wings were constructed of wood and covered in plywood, while the fuselage was made of welded steel and covered in fabric.
The prototype Gannet underwent flight testing in October 1935, but was unfortunately destroyed in a crash shortly thereafter, resulting in the loss of the pilot and passengers.
Despite this tragedy, the Gannet entered series production.
RAAF Gannets were utilized as survey aircraft between 1935 and 1942, at which point they were converted into air ambulances for the newly formed No.2 Air Ambulance Unit.
The last RAAF Gannets were decommissioned in 1946.
Specifications
Crew
One pilot
Capacity
Six passengers
Length
10.51 m (34 ft 6 in)
Wingspan
15.85 m (52 ft 0 in)
Height
3.50 m (11 ft 6 in)
Empty weight
1,470 kg (3,234 lb)
Gross weight
2,449 kg (5,388 lb)
Powerplant
2 × de Havilland Gipsy Six,
150 kW (200 hp) each
Performance
Maximum speed
240 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn)
Range
885 km (553 mi, 481 nmi)
Service ceiling
5,180 m (17,000 ft)
Rate of climb
4.3 m/s (850 ft/min)
Sources Aircraft Pioneer-Lawrence James Wackett. Tiger Moth CT-4 Wackett & Winjeel in Australian Service-Stewart Wilson. Aircraft and Markings of the R.A.A.F. 1939-45-Geoffrey Pentland. Military Aircraft of Australia-Stewart Wilson. Aircraft of the RAAF 1921-1971-Geoffrey Pentland & Peter Malone. Aircraft of the RAAF 1921 – 1978-Geoffrey Pentland & Peter Malone. Aircraft of The Royal Australian Air Force-Air Force History Branch. Understanding RAAF Aircraft Colours-Peter Malone & Gary Byk. Australia’s Military Aircraft-Ross Gillett. RAAF Camouflage & Markings 1939 – 1945 Volume 1-Geoffrey Pentland. RAAF Camouflage & Markings 1939 – 1945 Volume 2-Geoffrey Pentland. Wirraway, Boomerang and CA-15 in Australian Service-Stewart Wilson. Australian Military Aircraft-David Coles. Australian-built Aircraft and the Industry-Keith R Meggs.
