Wackett Widgeon
Encyclopedia
The Wackett Widgeon seaplanes were built by the Experimental Section of the Royal Australian Air Force
(RAAF) at Randwick, NSW during the mid- to late-1920s. They were single-engined amphibious biplanes of wooden construction. Although only two were built, they featured in several news-worthy aviation events of the time.
as an academic exercise in his spare time during 1923. Late in the same year the Air Board (which controlled and administered the RAAF) submitted a proposal to the Minister of Defence recommending the establishment of an Experimental Station at the Royal Australian Navy
Randwick Wireless Station. Following the submission of the proposal the Minister, Mr. Eric Kendall Bowden
, visited the Station for an inspection. Formal approval for the formation of the RAAF Experimental Section was given by the Minister of Defence in December, and at the same time approval was granted for the construction of a flying boat based on Wackett's design for delivery to the Civil Aviation Branch (a division of the Department of Defence Control responsible for all civil aviation).
Construction commenced at Randwick during March 1924, but proceeded slowly due to the need to overhaul much of the machinery in the workshop. By April 1925 construction was almost at the final assembly stage, allowing the components to be weighed. Their total weight varied by only 6.5 lbs compared to design calculations carried out 18 months prior at Victoria Barracks.
In June 1925 the Widgeon was subjected to a series of "searching tests" with satisfactory results, and the engine was run for the first time at Randwick following a delay caused by the late delivery of exhaust valves. The Widgeon was launched into Botany Bay
for the first time on 7 July. At this stage the Widgeon was a seaplane
, only able to take off and land on water – the removable wheels were only suitable for launching and ground handling. The Widgeon was given the registration G-AEKB (in disregard of the correct Australian registration template of G-AUxx) in honour of the supportive Minister for Defence, Eric Kendall Bowden.
The first attempt at a take-off from Botany Bay was made during the morning of 8 July, powered by a 240 hp Siddeley Puma engine, but further attempts were delayed until the afternoon because the water was too rough. At 3:30pm the aircraft was christened by Mrs. Wackett. There were rain storms reported in the area and during an attempted take-off in the afternoon, the Widgeon was observed to "swerve suddenly and hit a sandbank". A subsequent attempt ended in disaster when a heavy swell caused the aircraft to become airborne too early and stall
, nose-diving into the bay. The four occupants, Squadron Leader Wackett, Colonel H. Brinsmead (Controller of Civil Aviation), Sergeant Harry Becker and Sergeant T.L. "Jack" Cropp did not suffer any injuries. Upon first inspection, Col. Brinsmead suggested it would take around two weeks to repair the damage to the aircraft.
Repairs actually took much longer and modifications to improve the craft's handling were also made including a deeper step further aft, cutting away the side windscreens and new centre-section tanks faired into the airfoil instead of above the wings. Just under five months later on 3 December 1925 the Widgeon successfully completed its first flight from Botany Bay piloted by Squadron Leader Wackett, lasting ten minutes and reaching a height around 400 ft (121.9 m). Following a series of trials carried out by the Civil Aviation Branch, it was agreed that the Widgeon could be tested by the RAAF to assess its suitability as a training aircraft. Prior to its hand-over in June 1927 another series of modifications were carried out to convert the Widgeon for amphibious
operation (able to land and take off from both water and land). These included the addition of retractable landing gear, tail skid, dual controls, extra fuel tanks, an increase in dihedral from 3.5° to 4.75°, new deeper floats with less aileron interference, a wider windscreen, a gun-mount above the rear cabin entry, cabin side windows below the wing and a more powerful 300 hp ADC Nimbus
engine.
At the same time as these modifications were being carried out work commenced on a larger and improved aircraft, the Widgeon II. Taxiing tests of the Widgeon II were commenced on 16 February 1928 at Mascot aerodrome
and it flew for the first time on 21 February following a one-day delay due to engine problems. Following an extended flight from Melbourne
to Darwin
and back in 1928 to accompany flying boats of the RAF Far East Flight, a final series of improvements were made to the Wackett II. These included the addition of automatic wing leading edge slats
, a water rudder, an exhaust manifold ring, and metal rear-cabin structure; and the forward hull beam was increased by adding blisters to extend the chines.
. Bad weather on the return required a landing at Rose Bay
where the aircraft rode out stormy weather for three days on a mooring.
After this an attempt was made to take off at Rose Bay, but one wing was immersed in water and damaged. The aircraft had to be dismantled and returned to Randwick by truck.
A request was made to have the Widgeon I allotted to No. 101 Flight RAAF
(the flying boat unit). The unit was carrying out a survey of the Great Barrier Reef, and it was proposed to test the Widgeon I under operational conditions. The Widgeon was instead allotted to No. 1 Flying Training School
, where it would be assessed for suitability as a flying-boat training aircraft. The delivery flight from Mascot to RAAF Point Cook
took five-and-a-half hours non-stop, with fuel fed from tins into the fuselage tank then pumped to the wing tank.
In February 1928 the Air Board requested the use of the Widgeon II for RAAF trials with a positive response. Prior to its delivery to the RAAF, the Widgeon II flew in the Sydney Aerial Derby (with floats removed) and took third place in a field of 23 aircraft in the speed section at an average of 109 mph over a course of 42 miles.
The Widgeon II arrived at Point Cook and was handed over to the RAAF on 13 April 1928 after flying from Mascot.
In May 1928 the Widgeon II flew from Melbourne to Darwin with the intention of flying to Singapore to rendezvous with the Supermarine Southampton
flying boats of the Royal Air Force Far East Flight for the Australian leg of their "great flying-boat cruise". However the Widgeon II was not able to take off from Darwin on its first leg en-route to Singapore due to its heavy load and the hot tropical conditions. Instead Wackett flew the Widgeon II along the coast to Broome and met the Southamptons there on 1 June 1928. The Widgeon then accompanied the RAF Southamptons all the way to Melbourne, with stops at Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Perth, Ceduna and Adelaide. The arrival of the five flying boats in Melbourne on 29 June 1928 was a major event, with the pilots of each aircraft taken to St. Kilda pier to be greeted by the Minister of Defence, the Victorian Premier and the Lord-Mayor of Melbourne, among other dignitaries. Following the reception the aircraft took off and flew to Point Cook. The Widgeon II returned to Mascot a week later for modifications and then took part in aerial races at Penrith in January 1929.
On 31 March 1929, Charles Kingsford Smith
made a forced landing
about 220 miles WSW of Wyndham, Western Australia, an incident that became known as the Coffee Royal Affair. A number of aircraft were requested to conduct an aerial search for the missing airman and his crew; and the Widgeon II, which had been out of commission for several months due to modifications to enable trials aboard HMAS Albatross, was prepared for the long flight from Sydney. Wackett took off from Richmond air base on 6 April but returned after the Widgeon II was not able to climb sufficiently.
In July and August 1929 the Widgeon II embarked on HMAS Albatross for its voyage of the New Guinea area to conduct trials under tropical conditions. After arriving back in Melbourne aboard the Albatross the aircraft was handed over to the Civil Air Board. In October No. 1 Flight Training School at Point Cook was requested to determine the suitability of the Widgeon II for seaplane training. The Widgeon I had been used intermittently for flying training, however in October the Minster for Defence recommended that the Widgeon I be struck off strength since since the cost of extensive overhaul and repairs could not be justified. Around 17 February the airframe of the Widgeon I was burnt at Point Cook, after logging 99 hours of flying time.
Several companies expressed an interest in manufacturing or operating Widgeons but none of these plans came to fruition:
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
(RAAF) at Randwick, NSW during the mid- to late-1920s. They were single-engined amphibious biplanes of wooden construction. Although only two were built, they featured in several news-worthy aviation events of the time.
Development
The Widgeon was designed by Squadron Leader Lawrence James WackettLawrence Wackett
Sir Lawrence James Wackett KBE, DFC, AFC is widely regarded as "father of the Australian aircraft industry". He has been described as "one of the towering figures in the history of Australian aviation covering, as he did, virtually all aspects of activities: pilot, designer of airframes and...
as an academic exercise in his spare time during 1923. Late in the same year the Air Board (which controlled and administered the RAAF) submitted a proposal to the Minister of Defence recommending the establishment of an Experimental Station at the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
Randwick Wireless Station. Following the submission of the proposal the Minister, Mr. Eric Kendall Bowden
Eric Bowden
Eric Kendall Bowden was an Australian solicitor and politician.-Early life:The second son of John and Sarah Bowden, he was born in Parramatta, New South Wales, where his family had resided for four generations...
, visited the Station for an inspection. Formal approval for the formation of the RAAF Experimental Section was given by the Minister of Defence in December, and at the same time approval was granted for the construction of a flying boat based on Wackett's design for delivery to the Civil Aviation Branch (a division of the Department of Defence Control responsible for all civil aviation).
Construction commenced at Randwick during March 1924, but proceeded slowly due to the need to overhaul much of the machinery in the workshop. By April 1925 construction was almost at the final assembly stage, allowing the components to be weighed. Their total weight varied by only 6.5 lbs compared to design calculations carried out 18 months prior at Victoria Barracks.
In June 1925 the Widgeon was subjected to a series of "searching tests" with satisfactory results, and the engine was run for the first time at Randwick following a delay caused by the late delivery of exhaust valves. The Widgeon was launched into Botany Bay
Botany Bay
Botany Bay is a bay in Sydney, New South Wales, a few kilometres south of the Sydney central business district. The Cooks River and the Georges River are the two major tributaries that flow into the bay...
for the first time on 7 July. At this stage the Widgeon was a seaplane
Seaplane
A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
, only able to take off and land on water – the removable wheels were only suitable for launching and ground handling. The Widgeon was given the registration G-AEKB (in disregard of the correct Australian registration template of G-AUxx) in honour of the supportive Minister for Defence, Eric Kendall Bowden.
The first attempt at a take-off from Botany Bay was made during the morning of 8 July, powered by a 240 hp Siddeley Puma engine, but further attempts were delayed until the afternoon because the water was too rough. At 3:30pm the aircraft was christened by Mrs. Wackett. There were rain storms reported in the area and during an attempted take-off in the afternoon, the Widgeon was observed to "swerve suddenly and hit a sandbank". A subsequent attempt ended in disaster when a heavy swell caused the aircraft to become airborne too early and stall
Stall (flight)
In fluid dynamics, a stall is a reduction in the lift coefficient generated by a foil as angle of attack increases. This occurs when the critical angle of attack of the foil is exceeded...
, nose-diving into the bay. The four occupants, Squadron Leader Wackett, Colonel H. Brinsmead (Controller of Civil Aviation), Sergeant Harry Becker and Sergeant T.L. "Jack" Cropp did not suffer any injuries. Upon first inspection, Col. Brinsmead suggested it would take around two weeks to repair the damage to the aircraft.
Repairs actually took much longer and modifications to improve the craft's handling were also made including a deeper step further aft, cutting away the side windscreens and new centre-section tanks faired into the airfoil instead of above the wings. Just under five months later on 3 December 1925 the Widgeon successfully completed its first flight from Botany Bay piloted by Squadron Leader Wackett, lasting ten minutes and reaching a height around 400 ft (121.9 m). Following a series of trials carried out by the Civil Aviation Branch, it was agreed that the Widgeon could be tested by the RAAF to assess its suitability as a training aircraft. Prior to its hand-over in June 1927 another series of modifications were carried out to convert the Widgeon for amphibious
Amphibious aircraft
An amphibious aircraft or amphibian is an aircraft that can take off and land on either land or water. Fixed-wing amphibious aircraft are seaplanes that are equipped with retractable wheels, at the expense of extra weight and complexity, plus diminished range and fuel economy compared to planes...
operation (able to land and take off from both water and land). These included the addition of retractable landing gear, tail skid, dual controls, extra fuel tanks, an increase in dihedral from 3.5° to 4.75°, new deeper floats with less aileron interference, a wider windscreen, a gun-mount above the rear cabin entry, cabin side windows below the wing and a more powerful 300 hp ADC Nimbus
ADC Nimbus
-See also:-Bibliography:* Lumsden, Alec. British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.-External links:*...
engine.
At the same time as these modifications were being carried out work commenced on a larger and improved aircraft, the Widgeon II. Taxiing tests of the Widgeon II were commenced on 16 February 1928 at Mascot aerodrome
Sydney Airport
Sydney Airport may refer to:* Sydney Airport, also known as Kingsford Smith International Airport, in Sydney, Australia* Sydney/J.A. Douglas McCurdy Airport, in Nova Scotia, Canada...
and it flew for the first time on 21 February following a one-day delay due to engine problems. Following an extended flight from Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
to Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
and back in 1928 to accompany flying boats of the RAF Far East Flight, a final series of improvements were made to the Wackett II. These included the addition of automatic wing leading edge slats
Leading edge slats
Slats are aerodynamic surfaces on the leading edge of the wings of fixed-wing aircraft which, when deployed, allow the wing to operate at a higher angle of attack. A higher coefficient of lift is produced as a result of angle of attack and speed, so by deploying slats an aircraft can fly at slower...
, a water rudder, an exhaust manifold ring, and metal rear-cabin structure; and the forward hull beam was increased by adding blisters to extend the chines.
Operational history
The Civil Aviation Branch completed tests on the Widgeon I in April 1926 and following a request from the RAAF it was converted to amphibious operation. In April 1927 the Widgeon I provided an escort to the Duke and Duchess of York as they left Sydney Harbour aboard HMS RenownHMS Renown (1916)
HMS Renown was the lead ship of her class of battlecruisers of the Royal Navy built during the First World War. She was originally laid down as an improved version of the s. Her construction was suspended on the outbreak of war on the grounds she would not be ready in a timely manner...
. Bad weather on the return required a landing at Rose Bay
Rose Bay, New South Wales
Rose Bay is a harbourside, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Rose Bay is located 7 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government areas of Waverley Municipal Council and Woollahra Council .Rose Bay has views of both the Sydney...
where the aircraft rode out stormy weather for three days on a mooring.
After this an attempt was made to take off at Rose Bay, but one wing was immersed in water and damaged. The aircraft had to be dismantled and returned to Randwick by truck.
A request was made to have the Widgeon I allotted to No. 101 Flight RAAF
No. 101 Flight RAAF
No. 101 Flight RAAF was a Royal Australian Air Force fleet co-operation flight. The Flight was formed on 1 July 1925 and was equipped with Fairey III amphibian aircraft. These aircraft were replaced with Supermarine Seagull IIIs in 1926. Aircraft from No. 101 flight operated from the Royal...
(the flying boat unit). The unit was carrying out a survey of the Great Barrier Reef, and it was proposed to test the Widgeon I under operational conditions. The Widgeon was instead allotted to No. 1 Flying Training School
No. 1 Flying Training School RAAF
No. 1 Flying Training School was a flying training school of the Royal Australian Air Force . It was one of the Air Force's original units, dating back to the service's formation in 1921, when it was based at RAAF Point Cook, Victoria. The school underwent a number of reorganisations during its...
, where it would be assessed for suitability as a flying-boat training aircraft. The delivery flight from Mascot to RAAF Point Cook
RAAF Williams
RAAF Williams comprises the two bases of Point Cook and Laverton. Both establishments previously existed as separate RAAF Bases until 1999 when they were amalgamated to form RAAF Williams...
took five-and-a-half hours non-stop, with fuel fed from tins into the fuselage tank then pumped to the wing tank.
In February 1928 the Air Board requested the use of the Widgeon II for RAAF trials with a positive response. Prior to its delivery to the RAAF, the Widgeon II flew in the Sydney Aerial Derby (with floats removed) and took third place in a field of 23 aircraft in the speed section at an average of 109 mph over a course of 42 miles.
The Widgeon II arrived at Point Cook and was handed over to the RAAF on 13 April 1928 after flying from Mascot.
In May 1928 the Widgeon II flew from Melbourne to Darwin with the intention of flying to Singapore to rendezvous with the Supermarine Southampton
Supermarine Southampton
-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Supermarine Aircraft since 1914 . London: Putnam, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-800-3....
flying boats of the Royal Air Force Far East Flight for the Australian leg of their "great flying-boat cruise". However the Widgeon II was not able to take off from Darwin on its first leg en-route to Singapore due to its heavy load and the hot tropical conditions. Instead Wackett flew the Widgeon II along the coast to Broome and met the Southamptons there on 1 June 1928. The Widgeon then accompanied the RAF Southamptons all the way to Melbourne, with stops at Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Perth, Ceduna and Adelaide. The arrival of the five flying boats in Melbourne on 29 June 1928 was a major event, with the pilots of each aircraft taken to St. Kilda pier to be greeted by the Minister of Defence, the Victorian Premier and the Lord-Mayor of Melbourne, among other dignitaries. Following the reception the aircraft took off and flew to Point Cook. The Widgeon II returned to Mascot a week later for modifications and then took part in aerial races at Penrith in January 1929.
On 31 March 1929, Charles Kingsford Smith
Charles Kingsford Smith
Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith MC, AFC , often called by his nickname Smithy, was an early Australian aviator. In 1928, he earned global fame when he made the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia...
made a forced landing
Forced landing
A forced landing is a landing by an aircraft made under factors outside the pilot's control, such as the failure of engines, systems, components or weather which makes continued flight impossible. For a full description of these, see article on Emergency landing...
about 220 miles WSW of Wyndham, Western Australia, an incident that became known as the Coffee Royal Affair. A number of aircraft were requested to conduct an aerial search for the missing airman and his crew; and the Widgeon II, which had been out of commission for several months due to modifications to enable trials aboard HMAS Albatross, was prepared for the long flight from Sydney. Wackett took off from Richmond air base on 6 April but returned after the Widgeon II was not able to climb sufficiently.
In July and August 1929 the Widgeon II embarked on HMAS Albatross for its voyage of the New Guinea area to conduct trials under tropical conditions. After arriving back in Melbourne aboard the Albatross the aircraft was handed over to the Civil Air Board. In October No. 1 Flight Training School at Point Cook was requested to determine the suitability of the Widgeon II for seaplane training. The Widgeon I had been used intermittently for flying training, however in October the Minster for Defence recommended that the Widgeon I be struck off strength since since the cost of extensive overhaul and repairs could not be justified. Around 17 February the airframe of the Widgeon I was burnt at Point Cook, after logging 99 hours of flying time.
Accidents
On 6 January 1930 the Widgeon II crashed into Port Phillip Bay off Point Cook, killing all three occupants including Captain Hugh Grosvenor, who was the heir of Lord Stalbridge and had been planning a flight from Australia to England.Variants
- Widgeon I – original version with capacity for two crew and four passengers (one produced)
- Widgeon II – improved and enlarged version with capacity for two crew and six passengers (one produced)
Operators
- Civil Aviation Branch of the Department of Defence
- Royal Australian Air Force No.1 Flight Training School
Several companies expressed an interest in manufacturing or operating Widgeons but none of these plans came to fruition:
- A.G. Simpson of Air Transport Ltd indicated his willingness to fund the construction of a Widgeon.
- A company formed by Lt. Col. T.W. White expressed an interest in operating three Widgeons on routes from Townsville to Mackay; Adelaide to Port Lincoln; and Geelong to Launceston (all coastal towns); however this never eventuated.
- The Commonwealth Shipping Board placed a request with the Department of Defence for the construction of six Widgeons.
