Mudgee Airshow June 1995

Rob Greinert acquired Wirraway 458, eventually forming a syndicate comprising six members, including Jack Curtis, Doug Haywood, Iain McLeay, Owen and Ray Seaver (and later, Brian Parkinson).

The aircraft was lovingly restored and became the third airworthy Wirraway registered by August 17 1994. VH-WRX participated in a number handling displays at various airshows throughout Australia (Family Days at Nowra were among Owen's favourites).

The Wirraway also made an appearance disguised as a Douglas Dauntless dive bomber in the movie THE THIN RED LINE(1998). Owen completed roughly forty flying hours for the movie, with all but a few minutes relegated to the cutting room floor.  While Owen was involved in the filming of the movie he was required to perform a great deal of low level flying and was thrilled to have the opportunity to demonstrate the best of his skills.

About the Wirraway

The Wirraway was a licence built variant of the North American NA-33 Texas/Harvard/SNJ series.  Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney S1H1-G Wasp 9 cylinder radial engine rated at 600Hp, the CA-16 Wirraway had a maximum speed of 205 miles per hour and a cruising speed of 182 miles per hour at a maximum ceiling of 23,000 feet.  Their range was 850 miles (on a 92 gallon tank).

With a wing span of 43 feet, length of 27 feet 10 inches, and height of 12 feet 9 inches, they weighed 3,980 lb and 6,595 lb when fully laden. The armament consisted of two .303 Browning machine guns with one fixed on a Vickers machine gun swivel.