Colour Challenge: Blue Friday / History lesson!

This historic aircraft was designed, built and test flown by Sir Lawrence Wackett in 1942. It first saw service as an R.A.A.F. training aircraft during the WWII. After the was it was sold off as surplus stock.

In 1962 the aircraft disappeared on a flight from Melbourne to Perth. It was found in 1965 in the remote Great Victoria Desert. Tragically the body of the owner pilot, Mr Jim Knight, was never recovered.

The remains of the aircraft were salvaged and brought to Alice Springs in 1977. Restoration of the aircraft to static display level commenced in 1981-82 through a grant of $12,000 provided by the Northern Territory Government. The Wackett was finally restored by Mr Dave Simpson of Alice Springs. The restoration project involved the fitting of new wings, perspex, tail plane and rudder. (The original wooden wings were replaced with metal for financial and practical purposes).

Registration: VH-BEC
Designed: Sir Lawrence Wackett
Manufactured: Commonwealth Aircraft Corp
Country: Australia
Date: 1942
Structural: Alloy fuselage, frame and cladding, Originally timbered main and tail planes, fabric covered.
Engine: Warner Super Scarab 7 cylinder air cooled 175 h.p radial engine.