CAC CA6 Wackett Trainer  A3-77

                                 

                                       The Wackett Trainer, named after its designer Lawrence Wackett (later knighted) was developed
                                       by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation as a basic trainer to fall between the Tiger Moth and
                                       the Wirraway.  To all intents and purposes an Australian BT-13.  However construction, unlike the
                                       Vultee "Vibrator", which was all metal, consisted of part fabric covering.   The aircraft was a nice
                                       flying machine, docile, but with enough minor vices to sort out the uninitiated.    200 were produced,
                                       many of which saw civilian service at the end of WW II.   A3-77, the lead aircraft here was destined
                                       to become VH-AJV, but, in the event, was never civilianzed.   It had been purchased in 1947 for
                                       the princely sum of seven pounds ten shillings, sans engine.   A3-31 behind it became VH-AIY and
                                       is currently on display at the RAAF Association Aviation Heritage Museum in Bull Creek WA.  
                                       A3-28 collided with A3-191 at Maryborough, Queensland in 1942 and was reduced to produce,
                                       (scrapped) and this was also the fate that befell furthest away aircraft (A3-15) in this somewhat
                                       grainy image.