The CAC Wirraway is a proud symbol of Australian aviation history — a locally built military trainer that also saw combat in the early days of World War II. Developed by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, the Wirraway was based on the North American NA-16 design and became the RAAF’s go-to training aircraft from 1939 through to the 1950s.
Powered by a 600 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine, the Wirraway cruised at around 350 km/h (220 mph) and trained generations of Australian aircrew for front-line service. But this warbird wasn’t just for training — a handful of Wirraways were pressed into combat in New Guinea, even scoring what is believed to be the first RAAF air-to-air kill of the Pacific War.
Did you know? The name Wirraway means “challenge” in the Wiradjuri language — a fitting title for an aircraft that helped prepare young Aussie pilots for the skies of war.