The CAC Wirraway (Aboriginal for “challenge”) was the company’s first venture and was essentially a licence-built North American NA-16-2K trainer.

CAC WIRRAWAY MARK III (CA-16 CONTRACT). The ultimate version of the Wirraway general-purpose aircraft. Powered by a geared Pratt & Whitney R-1340 S3H1-G Wasp engine driving a 10ft-diameter propeller. CAC purchased a total of 61 Wirraways and dismantled them for parts to feed the Ceres production programme

CA28-2/VH-CEB was upgraded to Type B standard following spreading trials at Tamworth, and is depicted here as it was in December 1958 when it was purchased by Airfarm Associates. Type B changes included a cowled and geared engine, “No 3” canopy, and ten-spoke Mustang wheels with disc brakes.

The first prototype Ceres (c/n CA28-1) as it appeared when it was rolled out at the CAC factory at Fishermans Bend on December 14, 1957. The machine carried the civil registration VH-CEA but was not actually officially registered until August 13, 1958.

Representative of the production Ceres Type C, CA28-13/VH-CEO is depicted here as it appeared after rolling out of the CAC factory in January 1961. It first flew on February 15 the same year and was later acquired by Super Spread Aviation, with which it was registered VH-SSF. It made its last flight in January 1997.

The penultimate Ceres produced, CA28-20/VH-CEV is seen here in its distinctive Airfarm Associates livery in front of the company’s hangar at Tamworth in September 1974. Note the red and yellow winged tractor-loader above the painted logo on the hangar - this was Airfarm’s mascot, created by company founder Basil Brown.

The second prototype at Bankstown in July 1958. The aircraft is in its original Type A configuration, as rolled out of the factory, with an uncowled Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine modified for direct-drive, despite the reduction-gear housing attached to the front of the crankcase.

Ceres CA28-16/VH-CER of Marshall’s Spreading Service at Albury, New South Wales, in November 1963. The aircraft spent its entire career with Marshall’s, until being written off in an accident at Weule on March 2, 1967. It is seen here in standard Type C configuration apart from the standard (rather than high-solidity) propeller blades.

Constructed by CAC from the wreckage of CA28-1, CA28-18/VH-SSV was acquired by Airfarm Associates from Super Spread Aviation in September 1964. Presenting a convenient perch for a pair of magpies at Tamworth in March 1966, it is seen here in its factory paint scheme. Note the spray-boom along the trailing edge of the flaps.

The fifth Ceres Type C produced, CA28-10/VH-SSY was owned by more companies than any other Ceres, operating with Super Spread Aviation, Airfarm Associates, Airland Limited, Rural Helicopters, Agro Air and Aerotechnics. Seen here in Airland colours at Cootamundra in November 1974, CA28-10 remains airworthy today.

Superphosphate streams from the spreader mounted on CA28-2/VH-CEB during cropdusting trials at Fishermans Bend.

An excellent study of CA28-2/VH-CEB during flight trials of the spreading system in December 1958, with a CAC-designed spreader attached to the hopper gate.

The first prototype in flight over CAC’s factory airstrip sometime during April-June 1958. At the controls is CAC test pilot Roy Goon, who had flown Boomerangs with the RAAF during the war. Note the temporary extended pitot tube under the starboard wingtip and the original curved windscreen configuration, altered in June 1958.

Building the prototype Ceres: Left: The starboard wing of the first prototype well into its conversion process from Wirraway wing to Ceres wing. The RAAF roundel and yellow training band are still evident; Right: the Wirraway centre section mounted in a jig, under conversion for one of the two prototypes, with the leading edge towards the floor and underside towards the camera;

Building the prototype Ceres: the first prototype nears completion, in Aircraft Factory No 1 circa December 1957, before its first roll-out;

The fourth Ceres to be built, CA28-4/VH-CED, was sold to Aerial Farming of New Zealand in December 1959, to be re-registered ZK-BPU in its new home country. Here it is seen being flown on a top-dressing mission by Bob Divehall of Aerial Farming circa January 1960. It was written off after a non-fatal accident in April 1970.

Building the prototype Ceres: the finished article, CA28-1, on display in the early summer sunshine in front of the CAC factory on December 14, 1957.

Another photograph of CA28-1 beside the factory on December 14, 1957.

Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-28 Ceres Type C

CAC CA-28 CERES TYPE A. Powered by a direct-drive P&W R-1340 S3H1-GMD Wasp driving a 9ft 6in-diameter propeller. Exposed tailwheel mechanism and deep hopper outlet with single gate. Curved "No 1” windscreen configuration. Two built: c/ns CA28-1 and CA28-2
CAC CA-28 CERES TYPE B. Powered by a geared P&W R-1340 S3H1-G Wasp driving a 10ft-diameter propeller. Fitted with twin oil coolers, enclosed tailwheel mechanism and shallow hopper outlet with twin gates. Flat "No 3” windscreen configuration. Aircraft c/ns CA28-3 to CA28-5 produced in this configuration; c/ns CA28-1 and CA28-2 converted thus
CAC CA-28 CERES TYPE C. Shown as produced by the factory. Powered by a geared R-1340 S3H1-G Wasp driving a 10ft-diameter high-solidity propeller. Fitted with twin oil coolers, enclosed tailwheel mechanism and hopper outlet with twin gates. Second rear-facing seat and air intake at base of fin. Aircraft c/ns CA28-6 to CA28-21 produced in this configuration; c/n CA28-2 converted thus
CERES TYPE C (MODIFIED). Shown as modified by several operators, fitted with blown sliding canopy, sheet-metal side panels and CAC P-51 Mustang tailwheel on an exposed strut