Commonwhealth CA-6 Wackett

History

In 1936 the Australian Government requested the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation to develop a trainer, in order to be able to provide their selfs in their own need for aircraft. In December 1938 the CA-2 was released, a rather simple trainer aircraft, equipped with some extras on behalf of advanced training, such as blind flying instruments, flaps and simulated retractable landing gear.
The aircraft was rather conventional in its construction, a fuselage of welded steel pipes, covered with fabric and wooden wings. The prototype was equipped with an engine of 175 hp, which gave it a cruising speed of 150 km/hr. On October 19, 1939 it made its maiden flight, now with a Gipsy Major of 140 hp.
In June 1940 the Australian Government ordered 200 aircraft, equipped with a Gipsy Six of 200 hp (type CA-6). Alas there were difficulties with the delivery of these engines, so in the end the machines were equipped with an American Warner Super Scarab engine of 175 hp.
In January 1942 a 100 aircraft were in use, three months later all aircraft were delivered. At the same time other training aircraft were available without any problem, so no further orders for the CA-2 were made.