Aircraft History
Built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Manufacture number 521.

Wartime History
Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as CA-8 Wirraway serial number A20-319. On August 29, 1941 assigned to 1 AD. On October 11, 1941 assigned to 24 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.

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

On January 24, this aircraft was listed as destroyed by enemy action or to prevent them from falling into enemy hands but this was apparently did not happen. Instead, 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.

References
ADF Serials - Wirraway A20-319
RAAFDB - Wirrawaway A20-319
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
January 31, 2018