Lawrence Wackett

Lawrence J. Wackett served in the Australian Flying Corps in World War 1, and was responsible for several inventions, among which was gun synchronisation equipment. He learned aircraft design and was Commanding Officer of the RAAF Experimental Section in Sydney from 1924. Among the Wackett designs produced were the Widgeon amphibian, and the Warrigal multi-purpose biplane (which became the first all-metal aircraft produced in Australia).
Leaving the RAAF, he was with Sydney's Cockatoo Island Dockyard, and, by the mid-1930s, he was managing director of Tugan Aircraft Co. Ltd., Sydney.
In 1936, when his company was building the twin-engined, high wing Gannet transport, he toured the USA with two RAAF officers. At that time negotiations were under way to set up what would become the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and his task was to prepare a report and recommendations towards that end.
Realising that a sophisticated, original design would be demanding much of the new industry, a suitable foreign design was sought for Australian construction. Against a general expectation that a British aircraft would be the automatic choice, Wackett recommended the North American NA-16, which entered local production, with some modifications, as the CAC Wirraway, a trainer which in the event saw front line service.
Wackett remained a person of strong views and firm will. His judgment was viewed as sound, and his preferences shaped the industry. The Mustang, Avon Sabre and Mirage were among his recommendations which were taken seriously by the Government, to the benefit of the RAAF. Sir Lawrence died on March 18, 1982, aged 86.