The need for a modern fighter to defend Australia was realised in 1938, so the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation set about producing and aircraft based on the NA-16-2k (which eventually developed into the T-6 Harvard) but with major modifications especially most notable a retractable undercarriage.
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 by CAC.
The Museums first Wirraway A20-81 has been painted to represent A20-176
an Aircraft used by 4 Sqn during the Pacific War. The Versatility of the
Wirraway was recognised in the later stages of 1939 and was used as a Front
Line Fighter, Dive Bomber, Ground Attack, Supply dropping and Training.
Model: CA-3
Built :27th August 1940
Powerplant: CAC built Pratt and
Whitney R-1340-S1H1-G WASP
Nine Cylinder Air Cooled Engine rated @ 600 hp
Wing Span: 43 ft 10 inches (8.48m)
Weights: Empty-3980lbs
Loaded-6450 lbs
Armament: Twin .303 Vickers Machine Guns in Fuselage
Single .303 Vickers in Machine Gun Mount in rear Cockpit
Initial Climb:1950 feet/min
Ceiling:23000 feet
Range:720 miles
Speed: Cruising -182 mph