CAC Winjeel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAC_Winjeel

The CAC CA-25 Winjeel is an Australian-designed and manufactured three-seat
training aircraft. Entering service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)
in 1955 as a basic to advanced trainer, it served in this role until 1975.
Later, it was used in the Forward Air Control (FAC) role for target marking
until 1994, after which it was retired from RAAF service.

The Winjeel (Aboriginal for "young eagle") was developed by the Commonwealth
Aircraft Corporation at Fishermans Bend in Victoria to satisy RAAF technical
requirement No.AC.77 issued in 1948. Designed to replace both the Tiger Moth and
the CAC Wirraway, the first two prototype CA-22 aircraft were flown in February
1951. However, it proved a very stable aircraft making it almost impossible to
spin, and with this being a required part of pilot training the tail had to be
redesigned as a result. Sixty two production CA-25 aircraft were subsequently
built and given the fleet serials A85-401 to A85-462.


Role
Trainer aircraft

National origin
Australia

Manufacturer
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation

First flight
23 February 1955

Introduction
1955

Retired
1995

Status
Some examples now privately owned or in museums

Primary user
Royal Australian Air Force

Number built
2 (CA-22)
62 (CA-25)

The first aircraft flew in February 1955, and deliveries began that September.
The first Winjeel entered service with No. 1 Basic Flying Training School (1
BFTS) at Uranquinty, near Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. The last aircraft was
delivered in August 1957. For most of its service life, the Winjeel was used as
a basic trainer at RAAF Base Point Cook in Victoria, after 1 BFTS was
transferred there in 1958. The Winjeel remained in service with the RAAF as a
basic trainer until 1968, when the Macchi MB-326 replaced it in this role as
part of the RAAF's adoption of an "all through" jet training concept. The
failure of this concept ultimately ensured that the Winjeel was retained in the
training role until 1975, when it was replaced by the New Zealand-built PAC
CT/4A Airtrainer.

After this, a few Winjeels were used in the Forward Air Control (FAC) role.
Initially operated by No. 4 Flight, they were equipped with smoke bombs for
target marking. By 1994 there were 14 in service with No. 76 Squadron based at
RAAF Base Williamtown, but later that year they were replaced by the Pilatus
PC-9 and subsequently retired. Examples of the aircraft remain in flying
condition in private ownership as well as museum displays around Australia.

Specifications

General characteristics
Crew: two
Capacity: two seats side by side under rearward-sliding canopy with provision
for a third seat in rear of cabin
Length: 29 ft 0?1/2 in (8.55 m)
Wingspan: 38 ft 7?1/2 in (11.77 m)
Height: 9 ft 1 in (2.77 m)
Wing area: 249 sq ft (23.1 m2)
Airfoil: NACA 23015 at root, NACA 23010 at tip
Aspect ratio: 6.0:1
Empty weight: 3,289 lb (1,495 kg)
Loaded weight: 4,265 lb (1,939 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-2 Wasp Junior nine cylinder radial
engine, 445 hp (332 kW)

Performance
Maximum speed: 186 mph (162 knots, 291 km/h)
Cruise speed: 165 mph (143 knots, 265 km/h)
Stall speed: 53 mph (46 knots, 85 km/hr) (flaps down)
Endurance: 3.5 hours at 158 mph (137 kn; 254 km/h)
Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,490 m)
Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)

Take-off run to 50 ft (15 m): 1,110 ft (340 m) (standard temperature)
Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): 1,000 ft (305 m)




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