CAC Wirraway
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation · Australia · first flew 1939 · light aircraft
The CAC Wirraway was an Australian-built adaptation of the North American NA-33 (Harvard lineage) and served the RAAF as a trainer, army co-operation, and, in extremis, a combat aircraft. Despite being outclassed as a fighter, it scored at least one aerial kill against a Japanese Zero.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.48 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Australian-built Harvard derivative used in combat
- Low-wing monoplane trainer pressed into fighter role
- RAAF World War II workhorse
Closely resembles the North American T-6 Texan/Harvard, with a distinctive round radial engine cowling, low wings, and retractable undercarriage; the Australian-built airframe has minor detail differences.
Specifications
- The CAC Wirraway has a length of 8.48 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.11 m (43 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 354 km/h (220 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation built 755 Wirraways between 1939 and 1946, making it the most numerous Australian-built combat aircraft of World War II. When Japan entered the war, Wirraways were pressed into frontline use over Malaya, Singapore, and New Guinea despite being vastly inferior to Japanese fighters. One Wirraway famously shot down a Japanese A6M Zero in December 1942.
Variants
Produced in several marks with minor changes; the main production variant was essentially consistent throughout the run.
Where you'll see it
Served the RAAF extensively in training throughout the war and in combat roles in the Pacific theatre; also used post-war until replaced by the CAC Winjeel.
Related aircraft
- Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Woomera
- Commonwealth CA-15
- Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Sabre
- Aeronca Super Chief
- Aichi E13A
- Arado Ar 199
- Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann
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