Aircraft History
Built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Manufacture number 521. Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as CA-8 Wirraway serial number A20-319.

Wartime History
On August 29, 1941 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On October 11, 1941 assigned to 24 Squadron and was based at Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul. No known nickname, nose art or code.

On January 20, 1942 took off from Vunakanau Airfield piloted by Sgt Robert A. Blackman, 402844 with observer SGT S. E. Woodcroft, 22630 on a mission to intercept Japanese aircraft attacking Rabaul.

On January 24, 1942 this Wirraway was listed as destroyed by enemy action or to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. In fact, this Wirraway was camouflaged among palm trees and abandoned with the outer wings removed at Vunakanau Airfield.

Wreckage
During late January 1942, captured by the Japanese and photographed at Vunakanau Airfield. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
WW2 Nominal Roll - Robert Alfred Blackman
WW2 Nominal Roll - Stanley Ernest Woodcroft
ADF Serials - Wirraway A20-319
NAA 24 Squadron Operations Record Book - January 1942 (NAA A50_068_194201)
Ohashi-Butai Commemorative Photo Album (photo) via Jim Lansdale

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Last Updated
October 29, 2018