Wackett Widgeon

There were two Widgeons built, following on from initial designs carried out by Squadron Leader Lawrence Wackett in his spare time. Authorised for production by the RAAF experimental section by the Australian Defence Minister one Eric Kendall Brown, the Widgeon I was powered by a 270 h.p. Siddeley Puma engine and was registered in honour of the minister's support G-AEKB. The first flight was due for the morning of 8th July 1925 but bad weather prevented a "take off" until the afternoon. When it did start it's take off run it hit a sand bank and sank, fortunately none of the crew of four were injured. Take off did eventually happen after extensive repairs had been completed, on 3rd December 1925 when Squadron Leader Wackett flew from Botany Bay at a height of 400 ft for ten minutes. Later after conversion to an amphibian and replacement of the engine with a 300 h.p. ADC Nimbus it was decided that after an estimate of an overhaul and repairs that the costs would not be justifiable and so the plane was struck off charge and then on 17th February after logging up some 99 hours flying time the Wackett was burnt out.

Span 29'3 3 /4" Length 29'6 3 /4" Height 14 3 /4" Wing area 324 sq ft. Empty weight 2,900 lb Gross weight 3,960 lb
Maximum Speed 103 mph Endurance 3 hours Service ceiling 11,000 ft.
Details for Widgeon Mk I. Mark II Widgeon was larger and able to carry six instead of four.

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So why not tell us some so we can appreciate this a /c in Canada?

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Buy a copy of Keith Meggs' book:
Australian-Built Aircraft and the Industry, Volume One 1884 to 1939,
from Finger-Four Publishing, PO Box 918, Seymour Vic 3661,
for $235 posted within Australia,
and it will tell you all you need to know about the RAAF Widgeon.

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