
The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was a significant player in the Australian aviation industry, with a rich history that spans several decades. The company was formed in 1936 as a result of the merger between the Government Aircraft Factory and the Melbourne-based aircraft manufacturing company, Commonwealth Aircraft Pty Ltd.
The CAC's aircraft production was a major contributor to the Australian war effort during World War II. The company produced a range of aircraft, including the Boomerang and the Wirraway. The Boomerang was a single-engine fighter aircraft designed by the CAC, while the Wirraway was a training aircraft used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The CAC continued to produce aircraft after the war, including the CA-18 Mustang, a variant of the P-51 Mustang. This aircraft was used by the RAAF for reconnaissance and ground attack missions.
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History
The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, or CAC, has a rich history that spans over seven decades. CAC officially started in Melbourne on October 17, 1936.
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In its early years, CAC was formed through the collaboration of big companies like Broken Hill Proprietary (BHP) and General Motors-Holden. By September 1937, a factory was ready in Port Melbourne.
CAC's first plane, the Wirraway, was designed by Lawrence Wackett, who became the General Manager after CAC bought Tugan Aircraft. Wackett had traveled to Europe and the United States in 1935 to look at modern planes and chose the North American NA-16 as the basis for the Wirraway.
During World War II, CAC designed more advanced planes, including the Woomera and the CA-15, although these only flew as test models. In the 1950s, CAC designed a version of the F-86 Sabre.
CAC built the Sabre until 1961 and also made their own Winjeel trainer plane. In 1964, CAC started making parts for the Dassault Mirage III, which was replacing the Sabre.
In 1967, CAC began building a version of the Aermacchi MB-326 trainer, specially designed for Australian conditions. This was a significant milestone in CAC's history, showcasing their ability to adapt and innovate.
In 1971, CAC started building helicopters, including a version of the Bell Kiowa for the Australian military. The last one was delivered in 1977, marking the end of CAC's helicopter production.
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Aircraft and Engines
The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was a significant player in the Australian aviation industry, producing a wide range of aircraft and engines for both military and civilian use.
CAC built many different aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and for civilian use, including trainers, fighter planes, and crop sprayers.
The CAC Wirraway was a trainer and general-purpose aircraft, while the CAC Boomerang was a fighter plane. The CAC Mustang was a fighter plane based on the American P-51 Mustang.
Here are some of the main types of aircraft built by CAC:
- CAC Wirraway: A trainer and general-purpose aircraft.
- CAC Wackett Trainer: Another trainer plane.
- CAC Boomerang: A fighter plane.
- CAC CA-11 Woomera: A prototype for a medium bomber.
- CAC Mustang: A fighter plane, based on the American P-51 Mustang.
- CAC CA-15 "Kangaroo": A prototype fighter.
- CAC CA-28 Ceres: A plane used for spraying crops.
- CAC Winjeel: A trainer plane.
- CAC Avon-Sabre: A fighter plane.
- CAC Macchi MB-326H: A trainer plane.
- CAC Kiowa: A light observation helicopter.
CAC also built aircraft engines under special agreements with other companies, including the Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp and the Rolls-Royce Merlin.
Development
The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was a pioneer in building modern aircraft in Australia.
The CAC officially started in Melbourne on October 17, 1936. By September 1937, a factory was ready in Port Melbourne.
Their first plane, the Wirraway, was designed by Lawrence Wackett, who was the General Manager at the time.
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CAC built the Wirraway by modifying the North American NA-16, a plane Wackett had chosen after traveling to Europe and the United States in 1935.
CAC designed and built the engines for the Wirraway, making them one of the few companies in the world that made a plane, its engine, and its propellers all by itself.
During and after World War II, CAC designed and built more advanced planes, including the Wackett, Woomera, and CA-15, which were test models.
In the 1950s, CAC designed a version of the F-86 Sabre, which they built until 1961. At the same time, they also made their own Winjeel trainer plane.
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Production
The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was a significant player in the field of aero-engine production. They produced a wide range of engines for various aircraft.
One of the notable engines produced by CAC was the Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, built for the Wirraway. This engine was a reliable choice for the Wirraway's needs.
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CAC also produced the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp, which powered the Boomerang, Woomera, and DAP Beaufort. The R-1830 Twin Wasp was a powerful engine that enabled these aircraft to perform well.
The Rolls-Royce Merlin engine was another notable production of CAC, built for the GAF Lincoln. This engine provided the necessary power for the Lincoln's operations.
Here's a list of some of the notable engines produced by CAC:
- Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp (Wirraway)
- Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp (Boomerang, Woomera, DAP Beaufort)
- Rolls-Royce Merlin (GAF Lincoln)
- Rolls-Royce Nene (de Havilland Vampire)
- Rolls-Royce Avon (Sabre, GAF Canberra)
- Snecma Atar (Mirage)
- Bristol Siddeley Viper (Macchi MB-326H)
- General Electric F404 (McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet)
CAC's experience in producing these engines demonstrates their capabilities in meeting the needs of various aircraft.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the CAC?
The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was acquired by Hawker De Havilland in 1985 and later sold to Boeing, marking the end of its aircraft manufacturing operations.
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