When Japan entered World War II in December 1941, the RAAF did not possess a single fighter aircraft for home defence and, consequently, a decision was hurriedly made to produce a local fighter as a stop-gap measure to meet the threatened Japanese onslaught. Fortunately, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation already had plans in hand for an interceptor aircraft, and this promising design was ordered into production on 2 February 1942. Thus, Australia’s first single-seat fighter came from an organisation headed by Lawrence Wackett, who was also responsible for the country’s first indigenous fighter, the two-seat Wackett Warrigal Mk II of 1930.
The Wackett was designed specifically for Australian climate conditions, and has a welded chrome-molybdenum steel-tube framework with fabric covering.
The first of two prototypes powered by the DH Gipsy Six engine was flown early in 1940. Owing to the difficulty of obtaining these engines for production aircraft, the design was modified to take the 165 hp Warner Super Scarab 165D radial engine.
The Wackett designed prototype CA-2 Wackett two-seat prototype went into production designated CA-6.
Two hundred were then produced for the RAAF.
CA-6 Wackett
Engine: 165 hp Warner Super Scarab 165D
Wingspan: 37.01ft (11.28m)
Length: 25.98ft (7.92m)
Height: 9.84ft (3.00m)
Empty Weight: 1,909lbs (866kg)
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 2,590lbs (1,175kg)
Maximum Speed: 115 mph (185kmh; 100kts)
Maximum Range: 425 miles (684km)
Accommodation: 2
All Aero 