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Engineering Heritage Australia (Victoria)

Institution of Engineers, Australia         Engineering Heritage Branch

FISHERMANS BEND AVIATION:
and the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation

Thursday, 16th October 2003

Fishermans Bend was the location chosen for the establishment of aircraft manufacture when the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) was formed just prior to the Second World War. CAC was created by Essington Lewis, the managing director of BHP, who was concerned at Australia's position in the face of rising Japanese militarism. CAC was a syndicate involving BHP, ICI, Broken Hill Associated Smelters and GM-H.

The first aircraft produced at Fishermans Bend was the North American NA 16. Intended as a trainer aircraft, it was converted into a fighter, the ill-fated Wirraway that proved no match for the Japanese Zeros. Then followed a string of other aircraft produced by CAC, and the Government Aircraft Factory (GAF) that was subsequently located there, including the Beaufort bomber and the Beaufreighter.

The speaker Keith Meggs is a former RAAF fighter pilot and staff member of CAC and the Department of Civil Aviation. He has undertaken considerable research into the aircraft industry in Australia, and has written a book with the title "Australian Built Aircraft and the Industry" for which he is seeking a publisher.

Engineering Heritage Victoria on-line at:
          http://www.vicnet.net.au/~engherit/

If you would like to know more details or be added to our email list, contact:
          ehv@engineersaustralia.org.au