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An incomplete list of aircraft which were designed In Australia

In an attempt to document all the aircraft which were designed in Australia, I present the following incomplete list (incomplete, because I'm sure I have not covered all the bases, and plenty of folks will have more information than me - which I will gladly add to the list!). So far, the list stands at more than 60 aircraft...

First, some definitions of what this list is intended to cover:

1. The aircraft must have been designed in Australia, built in Australia, and flown successfully.
2. This list covers primarily aircraft which have been given airworthiness certificates, approved for VH- registration or accepted into military service (I have not attempted to cover ultralight aircraft at this stage, but I have listed several aircraft for which applications were made but but were not granted CoA's for various reasons).
3. The list does not cover modifications of overseas designs for local production. In theory this should rule out the Wirraway (a licence-built North American Aviation NA-16-2K), however I am including it, since it has become an iconic Australian aircraft.
5. This is only intended as a list (not a detailed history of each aircraft). Follow the links in the right hand column (where available) for more information about the aircraft.


For reference, you can see a current list of type certificates on the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority website by clicking here.

Image
Manufacturer and Model Details More information
AEA Maverick Aeronautical Engineers Australia
Maverick
First flight: 12/1987
Designer: Graham Swannell and Geoff Danes
Description: Single seat low wing aerobatic aircraft.
1. Aeronautical Engineers Australia website
Aircraft Manufacturing and Supply Co.
AMSCO Sport Monoplane
First flight: 02/06/1929
Designer: Percival "Perc" Pratt
Description: Single seat high wing parasol sport aircraft.
Comments: Only 1 built (VH-UKZ) and formal Certificate of Airworthiness was never granted.
1. VH-UKZ on Ed Coates photo collection
Austral
Mamba
First flight: 
Designer: 
Description: Two seat high wing utility aircraft.
 
Australian Light Wing
GR-912
First flight: 
Designer: 
Description: Two seat high wing sport aircraft.
Australian Light Wing website
Light Wing SP-2000
Image: ALW website
Australian Light Wing
SP-2000
First flight: 
Designer: 
Description: Two seat low wing sport aircraft.
Australian Light Wing website
Australian Light Wing
Sport 2000
First flight: 
Designer: 
Description: Two seat high wing utility aircraft.
Australian Light Wing website
Australite
Ultrabat
First flight:
Designer: Graham Swanell, based on concept by George Markey
Prototype built by: Scott Winton & George Markey
Description: Single seat low wing aerobatic aircraft.
 
Australian Aircraft & Engineering Company
Commercial B1
First flight: 03/02/1923
Designer: Harry Broadsmith.
Description: Single engined 4-passenger biplane.
1. The Argus February 6, 1923
  Australian Aircraft Co.
Cabin Sports
First flight: 25/01/1931
Designer: Geoffrey Wickner
Description: 2 seat high wing sport plane
1. Details of VH-UPW (replica) at Queensland Aviation Museum website

2. VH-UPW on Ed Coates photo collection

Australian Aircraft Co.
Wico Lion
First flight: 27/05/1933
Designer: Geoffrey Wickner
Description: Single seat shoulder-wing single engined sport aircraft. 
1. Brisbane Courier Mail April 30, 1934
  Australian Aircraft Co.
Wico Wizard
First flight: 29/04/1934
Designer: Geoffrey Wickner
Description: Single-seat single engined low-wing sport aircraft

 

 
  Broadsmith-Ross
B2
First flight: 1924
Designer: Harry Broadsmith
Description: Single-seat single engined biplane sport aircraft
Comments: Designed for Hector Ross (who carried out most of the construction) as an entry in the Australian Aero Club's 1924 Lightplane Competition at Richmond (NSW). No Certificate of Airworthiness was issued, but the aircraft was required to pass an airworthiness inspection by the Technical Committee of the Club.
 
  Broadsmith-Ross
B3
First flight: 1924
Designer: Harry Broadsmith
Description: Single-seat single engined low-wing sport aircraft
Comments: Designed for Hector Ross (who carried out most of the construction) as an entry in the Australian Aero Club's 1924 Lightplane Competition at Richmond (NSW). No Certificate of Airworthiness was issued, but the aircraft was required to pass an airworthiness inspection by the Technical Committee of the Club.
 
  Broadsmith
B4
First flight: 1924
Designer: Harry Broadsmith
Description: Single-seat single engined biplane sport aircraft
Comments: Designed for Denzil MacArthur-Onslow as an entry in the Australian Aero Club's 1924 Lightplane Competition at Richmond (NSW). No Certificate of Airworthiness was issued, but the aircraft was required to pass an airworthiness inspection by the Technical Committee of the Club.

  Brumby Aircraft Australia
Brumby LSA
First flight:
Designer:
Description: 2 seat single-engined low-wing trainer and light sport aircraft
Comments: Developed from the Goair Trainer. LSA = Light Sport Aircraft

1. Brumby Aircraft Australia website
Butler ABA-1 Butler
ABA Monoplane
First flight: 07/10/1930
Designer: Cecil Arthur Butler
Description: Single engine single-seat strut-braced high wing parasol aircraft.
Comments: Registration VH-UPE was allocated but a Certificate of Airworthiness was never granted as the aircraft was damaged on its flight from Cootamundra to Melbourne for inspection and trials.
 
Butler
BAT-2
First flight: 22/07/1937
Designer: Cecil Arthur Butler
Description: Two seat (side-by-side) single engine strut-braced high wing cabin monoplane aircraft.
Comments: Only 1 produced (VH-ARG)
 
  Carpenter/Air
TWA-4
First flight: 16/04/1939
Designer: Thomas William Air
Description: Two seat (tandem) single engined low-wing monoplane aircraft
Comments: Constructed by J.C. "Cliff" Carpenter. Only 1 produced (VH-ACP).
 
Cockatoo Dockyards & Engineering
LJW.6 Codock
First flight: 06/03/1934
Designer: Lawrence Wackett
Comments: Twin engined high wing airliner. Design was commissioned by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Only 1 produced (VH-URP).
1. Flight magazine November 16, 1933

2. VH-URP on Ed Coates photo collection

CAC Boomerang
Image: Australian War Memorial
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Boomerang (CA-12, 13 & 14)
First flight: 29/05/1942
Design team:
Chief design engineer: Fred David
Boomerang design engineer: Alan Bolton
Chief draftsman: Ernie Jones
Flight testing and aerodynamics: Ian Fleming
Detail aerodynamics: Joe Solvey
Stressing: Doug Humphries
Armament: Lionel Stern
CA-14A powerplant modifications: Colin Bellwood
Project engineer: Maurie Lodge

Comments: Single seat low wing fighter aircraft. Utilised some Wirraway and Woomera components.
1. ADF Serials website entry

2. Elliptical wings article by Gary Sunderland, including the Fred David story

3. Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Boomerang restoration A46-73

4. Wikipedia article

CAC CA-15 Prototype Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
CA-15
First flight: 03/1946
Designer: Fred David
Comments: Single seat piston-engined fighter aircraft.
Comments: Sometimes referred to as the "Kangaroo", but this was not an official name.
1. Wikipedia article
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Ceres (CA-28)
First flight: 1958
Designer: Ian Ring (Chief Designer) and J.C. Humphries
Comments: Single seat agricultural aircraft. Designed to  use some Wirraway components.
1. Wikipedia article
CAC CA-6 Wackett A3-22 on display at Moorabbin Air Museum Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Wackett (CA-2 & 6)
First flight: 19/09/1939
Designer: Lawrence Wackett
Comments: 2 seat advanced training aircraft.
1. Wikipedia article
CAC Winjeel Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Winjeel (CA-22 & 25)
First flight: 03/02/1951
Designer: Ian Ring (Chief Designer)
Comments: 2 seat advanced training aircraft. 
1. ADF Serials website entry

2. Wikipedia article

CAC Wirraway Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Wirraway (CA-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10A, 16)
First flight: 27/03/1939
Designer: 
Description: 2 seat low-wing military advanced trainer
Comments: Licensed version of the North American NA-33 trainer for production in Australia.
1. ADF Serials website entry

2. Wikipedia entry

3. Historical Aicraft Restoration Society Wirraway project

CAC Woomera Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Woomera (CA-4 & CA-11)
First flight: 19/09/1941
Designer: Lawrence Wackett
Description: Prototype twin engined bomber.
1. ADF Serials website entry

2. Wikipedia article

Corby
Starlet
First flight: 
Designer: John Corby
Comments: Single seat low wing home-built sport aircraft.
 
Whitney Boomerang Dean Wilson Aviation
Whitney Boomerang
First flight: 06/07/2006
Desigher: C. W. "Bill" Whitney
Description: 2 seat side by side tandem wing training aircraft.
Comments:
1. Dean Wilson Aviation website

2. Wikipedia entry

DHA Drover De Havilland Australia
DHA-2 Drover
First flight: 23/01/1948
Designer: Martin Warner
Description: 3-engined feeder airliner
Comments: Based on the twin engined De Havilland Dove.
1. Australian Aviation Museum Bankstown  website

2. VH-ADN on Ed Coates photo collection

3. Wikipedia article

4. Flight magazine November 25,1960

5. Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Drover page

Eagle Aircraft
Eagle 150
First flight: March 1988 (Eagle 150A)
Designer: Graham Swannell & John Roncz
Description: Single engined 2 seat side by side tandem wing training aircraft.
1. Wikipedia entry
Explorer 500T prototype
Image: Aeronautical Engineers Australia website, used with permission
Explorer Aircraft Corporation
Explorer 350
Explorer 500T
First flight:
Designer: Graham Swannell
Description: Prototype for an 8-seat utility aircraft.
Comments: Prototype built in Australia, has since gone into production in the USA. Explorer 350 is piston-engined prototype.
1. Wikipedia entry

2. Explorer Aircraft website

Fawcett 120
Image: Australian Aviation Museum website
Fawcett Aviation
Fawcett 120
First flight: 11/1954
Designer: Luigi Pellarini
Description: Prototype 4 seat high wing training and touring aircraft
Comments: Only 1 produced. Originally powered by Gypsy Major engine, converted to horizontally-opposed 4 cylinder engine.
1. Australian Aviation Museum Bankstown website
Ford Silver Centenary
Image: ABC news
Ford
Silver Centenary
First flight: 01/07/1930
Designer: Selby Ford
Description: Open cockpit 2 seat passenger biplane
Comments: Home-built by Selby Ford in Beverly, Western Australia. Only 1 built (VH-USC). Restored by Rod Edwards (grandson of Selby Ford) and Rob Felton in 2006-2007, returning to the air August 2007.
1. Wikipedia entry

2. Airways Museum & Civil Aviation Historical Society

3. Photo gallery at Grubby Fingers aircraft illustration website

4. ABC news story

  Fox
Fox Biplane
First flight: 07/05/1931
Designer: Reg and Francis Fox
Description: Single engined two-seat biplane
Comments: Certificate of Airworthiness was never granted by Civil Aviation Board, but the aircraft made many flights around Melbourne and Geelong.
 
General Aircraft Company
Genairco
First flight: 19/12/1929
Designer: George Boehm, Albert Royal and E.J. "Jack" Smith
Description: Single engined open cockpit 3 seat passenger biplane aircraft
Comments: The design of the Genairco was based on the De Havilland DH60 Moth, but the Genairco was larger, carried an extra person and was 600 lbs heavier.
1. Wikipedia entry

2. VH-UOF on Ed Coates photo collection

3. VH-UOG on Ed Coates photo collection

4. VH-UOH on Ed Coates photo collection

5. VH-UOS on Ed Coates photo collection

6. VH-UZR on Ed Coates photo collection

General Aircraft Company
Cabin version Genairco
First flight: 30/06/1932
Designer:George Boehm, Albert Royal and E.J. "Jack" Smith
Description: Enclosed cabin single engine 3 seat biplane aircraft
1. VH-UOJ on Ed Coates photo collection

2. VH-UUI on Ed Coates photo collection

3. VH-UUK on Ed Coates photo collection

Gippsland Aviation GA-200 Gippsland Aeronautics
Fatman (GA-200)
First flight: 1991
Designer: Colin Nicholson (Chief Designer)
Description: 2 seat low wing agricultural aircraft.
1. Gippsland Aeronautics website
Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan Gippsland Aeronautics
GA8 Airvan
GA8-TC Airvan
First flight: 03/03/1995
Designer: Colin Nicholson (Chief Designer)
Description: 8 seat single engined high wing utility aircraft
Comments: GA8-TC is offered with a turbocharged engine
1. Wikipedia entry
2. Gippsland Aeronautics website
Goair Trainer Goair
Goair Trainer
First flight: 07/1995
Designers: Philip Goard and Mark Redford
Description: 2 seat low wing training aircraft.
Comments: The Goair Trainer has been developed into the Brumby (see above)
1. Image on 1000 Aircraft Photos
GAF Pika Government Aircraft Factory
Pika
First flight: 08/1951
Designer: 
Description: Single engined low wing experimental research aircraft. Comments: Manned prototype for the Jindivik RPV.
1. ADF Serials website entry

2. Flight magazine April 25, 1952

3. Flight magazine August 26, 1955

4. Flight magazine February 17, 1961

Government Aircraft Factory
N22 & N24 Nomad
First flight: 23/07/1971
Designer: 
Description: Twin engined high wing STOL feeder airliner & utility aircraft.
1. Wikipedia entry

2. Flight International August 3, 1972

3. Flight International March 29, 1973

4. Flight International October 14, 1978

Jabiru ST-3 Jabiru Aircraft Pty. Ltd.
J120
J160C
J170C
First flight: 
Designer: 
Description: 2 seat single engine high wing training & aircraft.
1. Jabiru company website
Jabiru SP Jabiru Aircraft Pty. Ltd.
UL-D
First flight: 
Designer: 
Description: 2 seat high wing training and sport aircraft (can be home-built from a kit or factory built).
1. Jabiru company website
Jabiru J200 Jabiru Aircraft Pty. Ltd.
J230D
First flight:
Designer: 
Description: 2 seat high wing training and sport aircraft (can be home-built from a kit or factory built).
1. Jabiru company website
Jabiru J400 Jabiru Aircraft Pty. Ltd.
J430
First flight: 16/03/2002 (in 2-seater configuration)
Designer: 
Description: 4 seat high wing training and sport aircraft (home-built from a kit).
1. Jabiru company website

Image © Ben Danneker, used with permission
Kingsford Smith Aviation Services
KS-1
KS-2 (shown in photo)
First flight: 28/03/1957
Designer: C.W. (Bill) Smith
Description: Single seat agricultural aircraft (conversion of the Wackett trainer, with hopper replacing front seat). Only 1 produced (VH-AJH).
1. Wikipedia entry

2. Log of VH-AJH from Queensland Aviation Museum

Kingsford Smith Aviation Services
Cropmaster (KS-3)
First flight: 29/11/1957
Designer: C.W. (Bill) Smith
Description: Single seat agricultural aircraft (conversion of the Wackett trainer, with hopper replacing rear seat).
1. Wikipedia entry

2. Log of VH-AJH from Queensland Aviation Museum

Kingsford Smith Aviation Services PL-7 Tanker Kingsford Smith Aviation Services
Tanker (PL7)
First flight: 20/09/1956
Designer: Luigi Pellarini
Description: Single engined single seat agricultural biplane.
1. Flight magazine August 23, 1957
Larkin Aviation Supply Co. (LASCo)
Lascondor
First flight: 23/03/1930
Designer: William Stancliffe Shackleton
Description: 3 engined 4 place high wing feeder airliner.
1. Wikipedia article

2. VH-UMY on Ed Coates photo collection

Larkin Aviation Supply Co. (LASCo)
Lascoter
First flight: 18/05/1929
Designer: William Stancliffe Shackleton
Description: Single engined high wing survey & utility aircraft.
1. Wikipedia entry

2. Flight Magazine March 14, 1930

  McKenzie
Silver Wings
First flight: 22/04/1926
Designer: Gotthilf "George" McKenzie
Description: Single engined two-seat biplane
 
RAAF Experimental Section
Widgeon I and II
(Widgeon II shown in photo)
First flight: Widgeon I - 03/12/1925
Widgeon II - 21/02/1928
Designer: Lawrence Wackett
Description: Single engined amphibious biplane
1. Wikipedia article
RAAF Randwick Wackett Warrigal II RAAF Experimental Section
Warrigal I and II
First flight:
Designer: Lawrence Wackett
Description: Two-seat single-engined general-purpose biplane
 
  Reid
Flying Fox
First flight: 1924
Designer: R.W. Reid
Description: Single-seat single engined biplane sport aircraft
Comments: Designed as an entry in the Australian Aero Club's 1924 Lightplane Competition at Richmond (NSW). No Certificate of Airworthiness was issued, but the aircraft was required to pass an airworthiness inspection by the Technical Committee of the Club. Constructed by Smith & Waddington Ltd.
 
  Tugan Aircraft
Genairco Cabin Biplane
First flight: 1934
Designer:
Description: Single-engined biplane
Comments: Last Genairco cabin biplane produced. Modified cabin area compared with Genairco-built models.
1. VH-URH on Ed Coates photo collection
Transavia
Airtruk (PL-12, PL-12U, T-320)
Skyfarmer (T-300, T-300A, T-400)
First flight: 22/04/1965
Designer: Luigi Pellarini
Description: Single-engined agricultural sesquiplane
Comments:
1. Wikipedia article

2. VH-TRN at Powerhouse Museum

Tugan LJW.7 Gannett Tugan Aircraft
LJW.7 Gannet
First flight:
Designer: Lawrence Wackett
Description: Twin-engined high wing passenger aircraft
Comments:
1. VH-UVY on Ed Coates photo collection

2. VH-UUZ on Ed Coates photo collection

3. VH-UVU on Ed Coates photo collection

4. VH-UXE on Ed Coates photo collection

5. VH-UYE on Ed Coates photo collection

6. VH-UZW on Ed Coates photo collection

Victa Airtourer 100 Victa
Airtourer
First flight: 10/04/1959
Designer: Henry Millicer
Description: Two-seat single engined training and light sport aircraft
1. Victa Airtourer Association

2. Fligh International April 1965

Victa Aircruiser Victa
Aircruiser
First flight: 18/07/1966
Designer: Henry Millicer
Description: Four-seat single engined training and light sport aircraft
Comments: Developed from the Airtouer. Only 1 constructed (VH-MVR). Design rights were sold to Aero Engine Services Limited (AESL) in New Zealand, who redesigned the Aircruiser and placed it into production as the CT-4 Airtrainer.
1. Wikipedia entry
Victa R2 - click image for more details
Image © Ken McGowan. Used with permission
Victa
R2
First flight:
Designer: Luigi Pellarini
Description: Four-seat single engined touring aircraft
1. More details on the Victa R2

2. Flight magazine August 12, 1960

  Wackett
Warbler
First flight:
Designer: Lawrence Wackett
Description: Two-seat single-engined pusher parasol monoplane sport aircraft
1. Flight Magazine February 12, 1925
  Wonga First flight: 04/06/1930
Designer: L.J.R. Jones
Description: Single engined four-seat high wing aircraft
Comments: Constructed by Nigel P. Boulton and L.J.R. Jones. First Australian-designed aircraft with a welded-steel fuselage framework
 
YA-1 Cropmaster 250 Yeoman Aviation
YA-1 Cropmaster 250
YA-1 Cropmaster 250R
First flight:
Designer: C.W. (Bill) Smith
Description: Single-seat low wing agricultural aircraft
Comments: Based on the CAC Wackett trainer, the Cropmaster was fitted with a new metal wing and empennage, more powerful engine and redesigned fuselage.
1. VH-ABY on Ed Coates photo collection

First created January 2003 - Last edited 24 June 2010