Australia's CAC Wirraway (challenge) trainer

Photos

CAC Wirraway CA-1 trainer:
CAC Wirraway CA-1 trainer:	CAC Wirraway CA-1 trainer:
CAC Wirraway trainer:

Design

The CAC (Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation) designed a similar plane to the North American NA-16-2K and called it the Wirraway, which is Aboriginal for challenge.¹ The Wirraway added additional armament, strengthened structure for dive bombing, and under wing bomb racks.^1,2

American Design

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) knew that they couldn't completely rely on Great Britain to keep them supplied with aircraft so it was decided to start manufacturing their own models.² In 1936 a commission went to the United States where they met with North American Aviation, Inc. and selected the NA-33.² Two of these were shipped to Australia for testing and an order was placed for 40.² These became the CA-1 Wirraway.²

Engines

The CAC license built the Pratt & Whitney engines for the Wirraway.¹

Prototype

The first CA-1 flew on March 27, 1939.^1,2

Production

Production went until 1942, then it resumed in 1943.¹ The final Wirraway was delivered in 1946.¹

• CAC CA-1: 40^1,2
• CAC CA-3: 60^1,2
• CAC CA-5: 32^1,2
• CAC CA-7: 100^1,2
• CAC CA-8: 200^1,2
• CAC CA-9: 188¹, 199²
• CAC CA-16: 135^1,2
• Total: >750², 755¹
  • Manufacturer: Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation²

Variants

• CAC CA-1:
• CAC CA-3:
• CAC CA-5:
• CAC CA-7:
• CAC CA-8:
• CAC CA-9:
• CAC CA-16: Had modified wing to allow for dive bombing.¹ The only crew was the pilot.²

Usage

There were fifteen Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons equipped with the Wirraway.¹

Rabaul

Some Wirraways were used in the defense of Rabaul in early 1942.¹

Score One Zero

In December 1942 / December 26, 1942², near Gona, a No 4 Squadron Wirraway shot down a Zero.¹

After World War II

The RAAF used the Wirraway as a trainer until 1958.¹

Specifications

	CAC Wirraway1	Commonwealth CA-3 Wirraway (A20)2
Type	Trainer1	Trainer2
Crew	21	22
Engine (Type)	Pratt & Whitney/CAC R-1340-S1H1G Wasp1	Pratt & Whitney R-1340 S1H1-G Wasp2
Cylinders	Radial 91	Radial 92
Cooling		Air2
HP	6001	6002
Propeller blades	31
Dimensions
Span	43'1 13.1 m1	43'2
Length	27' 10"1 8.48 m1	27' 10"2
Height	8' 9"1 2.66 m1	8' 9"2
Wing area
Weight
Empty	3,992 lb1 1,811 kg1
Loaded	5,575 lb1 2,529 kg1	6,595 lb2
Maximum loaded	6,595 lb1 2,991 kg1
Performance
Speed @ 5,000' / 1,524 m	220 mph1 354 kph1	220 mph2
Cruising speed	164 - 182 mph1 264 - 293 kph1
Climb	1,950'/minute1 594 m/minute1
Service ceiling	23,000'1 7,010 m1	23,000'2
Range	720 miles1 1,158 km1	720 miles2
Armament		3: MG2
Nose	2: 0.303" MG1
Rear cockpit	1: 0.303" MG1
Bombs	500 lb1 227 kg1	300 lb2