CAC

Resulted from 1934 talks which led to syndicate to establish national capability in aircraft manufacture. Government was interested in independence of external military suppliers; October 1935 asked syndicate to form company, and Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Pty Ltd registered 17 October 1936. Backers Broken Hill Pty, Broken Hill Smelters, General Motors Holden, ICI of Australia and NZ, Orient Steam Navigation and Electrolytic Zinc. Tugan Aircraft, just formed at Sydney Mascot by W/Cdr Lawrence J. Wackett, became subsidiary, Wackett becoming designer at new factory at Fishermen's Bend, Melbourne. Made N. American NA-16 version called Wirraway (755), and Wasp engine (680); CA-2 Wackett Trainer (200); CA-4 and -11 Woomera twin-engined bomber and Twin Wasp engine (870 engines); CA-12/13/14/19 Boomerang fighter (249); and 266 CA-17/18 Mustangs. Post-war 1 CA-15 Griffon-engined fighter, 62 CA-25 Winjeel trainers, 111 CA-27 Sabre fighters, 21 CA-28 Ceres ag-aircraft, 100 CA-29 Mirage III-O fighters, 85 CA-30 (MB.326) jet trainers and 56 CA-32 (Bell) Kiowa helicopters. By 1977 reduced to various subcontract and detail jobs, and in 1985 became subsidiary of Hawker de Havilland, losing identity.

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