CAC Wirraway
Technical Information
Background
In 1936, the newly formed Commonwealth Aircraft
Corporation (CAC) led a mission abroad to select a general purpose aircraft
for Australian manufacture. The mission unanimously recommended the North
American NA-33, and plans were made to produce a modified version to be known
as the Wirraway is an aboriginal word for challenge.
Variety of Roles
A license built North
American AT-6, the Wirraway was used as a Front Line Fighter,
Reconnaissance, Artillery Spotting, Dive Bomber, Ground Attack,
for supply drops and Training.
Production
On March 27 1939 the first Wirraway
took to the skies and by 1959 when the last Wirraway was decommissioned
a total of 755 Wirraways were produced.
