Aircraft History
Built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Wirraway serial number unknown. Assigned to 24 Squadron based at Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul.

Mission History
On January 20, 1942, one of the original eight Wirraways that took off from Vunakanau Airfield to intercept a formation of over a hundred Japanese aircraft attacking Rabaul.

Wreckage
During the 1970s, the fuselage frame with the pilot's seat intact was display near the Catholic mission atop Japanese 60kg bomb casing on until at least the early 1980s.

Display
Moved to the Kokopo War Museum for display.  According to the museum display, it has not been possible to confirm this airframe's serial number. However there is a strong possibility that it might be the wreckage of Wirraway A20-71 that crashed on take off on January 20, 1942. Or, one of 24 Squadron's other Wirraways that was abandoned at the airfield.

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Last Updated
April 19, 2021