FLIGHTPATH | 45Current Airworthy Restoration Projects
The Wirraway is still a rare bird, with only
four aircraft operating on a regular basis in
Australia, and none overseas. But the out-
look is bright for the historic type as there
are at least 11 airworthy restoration projects
under way at present. Several of these can
be described in detail as follows:
The Historic Aircraft Restoration Society
are carrying out the airworthy restoration
of A20-99 (C/N 97) in a joint venture with
Eric Lundberg. Rob Greinert, Jay Lazarus,
Jack Smid, Bill Smith and Jason Cockayne
have all worked on the project and numer-
ous volunteers have helped to keep the
project moving along, including Geoff For-
est who worked on the engine cowls and Ge-
off Cuthbert who sorted and sourced parts.
Geoff Eastman from Geelong assisted with
some hard-to-find parts. The engine was
overhauled by Historic Aircraft Engines in
Brisbane and Mary Ellen Conrado from Tuc-
son, Arizona assisted with specialist fabric
covering work. The craftsmanship dis-
played on the restoration shows the high
standard for which the HARS team have be-
come known.
Well-known aviation conservationist and
pilot Ian Whitney is currently working on a
long-term restoration of A20-395 (C/N 596)
at his Romsey workshop. The aircraft is an-
other that was saved by Pearce Dunn. Ian
has reserved VH-IVS for this aircraft once it
is completed.
Former president of the Antique Aero-
plane Association of Australia Matt Grigg is
also working on a long-term airworthy Wir-
raway restoration. The fuselage structure
from A20-222 (C/N 222) forms the basis for
Matt’s project, complemented by a large col-
lection of original parts, with new parts be-
ing produced as required. When the Wirra-
way originally entered service it featured
several cutting-edge technologies for its
time, and Matt has used today’s cutting-
edge CAD-CAM technology to reproduce
several important load-bearing fittings. The
intention is to restore the aircraft to its orig-
inal CA-7 configuration, with extensive re-
search undertaken to ensure authenticity.Matt’s attention to detail required the
sourcing of correct hardware and primer/
paint finishes, and he is now able to provide
these products to other restorers. The regis-
tration VH-NBG is reserved for this aircraft.
Also in Victoria, Jason Stagg is working
on an airworthy restoration based on some
of the remains A20-404 (C/N 605) following
its recovery in stages from Lake Glenmaggie
where it crashed in March 1942. Also sourc-
ing many extra parts from other aircraft,
Jason is including a good amount of rare and
original detail in his restoration.
With these newly restored aircraft re-
turning to the air and a good number of Wir-
raways conserved in museums (see page 4
for the latest Wirraway news) the legacy of
this unique aircraft which has touched the
lives of thousands of Australians is assured.
[The author is currently researching
and writing a comprehensive new book
about the Wirraway. Contributions, cor-
rections and additions related to this ar-
ticle would be most welcome, via the
Flightpath office.]ABOVE: Three Wirraways, A20-695 (VH-MFW), running up ready to depart Tocumwal on
the RAAF’s 90th Anniversary Pilgrimage. The Temora Aviation Museum’s VH-BFF in overall
foliage green with Paul Bennett in VH-WWY A20-81 which is finished as -176. [Rob Fox]LE F T: Seen in 2012, Wirraway A20-395 is undergoing
a long-term restoration by Ian Whitney. [Wayne Harder]