First Australian design to enter mass production: The CAC Wackett Trainer

Designed by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, the Wackett Trainer fulfilled an RAAF requirement for an ab intitio trainer. It was a basic and simple aircraft, and became the first Australian design to enter mass productions and the first design by CAC.
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Thanks:
Geoff Goodall
ADF-Serials
Australian War Memorial
State Library of South Australia
National Library of Australia
Netherlands Institute of Military History
#trainer #aviation #cac #aircraft #warbirds #warplanes #history #training aircraft #ww2 #ww2planes #ww2history #documentary #aviationhistory

[@sysmith9910]

Great to see young Australians taking an interest in our industrial history, and showcasing it to all. It is a reminder to all of what we have achieved. Good job, thanks. Keep them coming.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you 👍

[@ashleysmith3106]

It is interesting to hear so many familiar-sounding names mentioned by my father in my youth! He was a LAC (mechanic) in the RAAF in WW2 and stationed throughout Australia as well as New Guineau, Morotai and Labuan.

[@markpilkington]

Well done - keep up the great work

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thanks👍✈

[@mathewkelly9968]

Excellent video , keep them coming

[@AntiqueAirshow]

thanks👍

[@johnclayden1670]

Splendid!

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you 👍✈️

[@SCCIT-jq6jh]

Well done young lad🇦🇺

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you👍✈

[@johnjephcote7636]

I first came across this kite in the 1950s when, in a comic, in a Korean War story, a Wackett trainer was converted to a ground attack aircraft and with their high speed sights the AA could not hit it.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

That is fascinating. An interesting aircraft to put in comic, in particular that role. Nice.👍✈

[@StephenBadger]

Hey again mate! This is another interesting little video, thanks for taking the time to research and make it. Honestly I had assumed that during World War 2 the Commonwealth produced aircraft off of technical packages provided by Great Britain, so I had no idea that Australia had made their own designs en-mass. A significant milestone for Australian industry!

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you👍✈ Australia produced a few of its own designs as well as manufacturing a few license built designs including the P-51 Mustang. It is interesting the politics behind Australia's aircraft manufacturing during the war. Believe it or not Australia manufactured more American designs over British designs. The first aircraft Australia produced was the Wirraway based on the North American T-6 Texan and deeply upset the British who wanted Australia to use design it off a British design. This caused a bit of friction between us and Britain and essentially meant manufacturing of British aircraft in Australia would be limited.
That is a very brief description. I might have to make a video on it as I believe it is quite fascinating. 👍✈

[@kellybreen5526]

You diggers certainly don't lack ingenuity.

[@skyadsAu]

Great video of an important aircraft - shame the scarab motor had problems, Maybe Wackett's only misstep (He was correct during the war more often than the Govt).- maybe he should have used a Pratt or the cheater from an Anson?

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Thank you 👍✈️ While not as impressive as the Boomerang or Mustang production, it was an important stepping stone for CAC and provide good service as a trainer for Australia. That might of possibly worked, I'm not sure if they were ever considered.
"He was correct during the war more often than the Govt)" - Without going too far into it, it is quite interesting to see how he was able to guide the aircraft industry (even after WW2) due to his much better foresight than the government. His autobiography makes for some fascinating reading.

[@skyadsAu]

@@AntiqueAirshow I think by the time that "The Trainer" was completed Mr Wackett had bigger things to concentrate on than a poor motor in the Trainer -
His choice of building Mustangs rather than the Govt's preferred "Buy British" choice of the Spitfire sums up the relationship and Is why IMHO that Mr Wackett does not get his rightful place in the official war history.
I would love to see you do a video on the most important figure in Australian Aviation History - he deserves a great big section in the Australian War Museum - not just a little plaque next to a bit of a Wirraway.

[@AntiqueAirshow]

@@skyadsAu Yes very much agree. He definitely deserves more recognition for what he did. I'll add it to the list, and definitely get around to it sometime this year. Most likely middle of the year. 👍✈️

[@jedimindtrix2142]

I usually am not immature like this but..."wackett trainer" hahaha! Yes...gotta get trained to whack it!

[@AntiqueAirshow]

Hahahaha yes, but named after the designer Lawrence Wackett.

[@jedimindtrix2142]

@@AntiqueAirshow I know. Just couldn't resist! That was some low hanging fruit right there lol.