Tugan Gannet
The Tugan Gannet, later called after its designer Lawrence Wackett as Wackett Gannet, was a transport aircraft manufactured in Australia by Tugan Aircraft.
History and construction
The Gannet was was a small twin-engined airliner of the 1930s. She was not only the first Australian aircraft that reached the production stage, but also the first Australian aircraft that was used by the Royal Australian Air Force. The Gannet was a abgestrebter braced high-wing monoplane of conventional design with two engines, which were mounted in nacelles on the wings. The spur wheel landing gear was not retractable. The wing consisted of a plywood construction and were covered with fabric. The body was made of welded steel tubes, and was also covered with fabric. The prototype first flew in 1935. During flight testing, it was destroyed in a crash, the pilot and the passengers were killed, yet then began series production.
The aircraft were used by Butler Air Transport between Sydney and Broken Hill and at least one flew for Ansett Airways in 1943. Machines used by the RAAF were used as survey aircraft 1935-1942 and thereafter converted to medical aircraft. The last RAAF Gannet were scrapped in 1946.
Military use
- Australia Australia