Australian-Built Aircraft and the Industry, By Keith Meggs

[GTX]

Hi folks,

A while back I mentioned this set of books both here and on SecretProjects.  A few weeks ago I spoke with the author, Keith Meggs to see where their at.  The books are still coming and shouldn't be too much longer.  The shear size of the project has delayed things to date. 

As previously mentioned, Keith is recording the details of those who are interested in purchasing a copy so that he may personally inform them when exactly it is available. If you are interested, please send me your details so that I may pass them onto Keith (he doesn't have an e-mail address or indeed even a computer - lucky fuzzy bunny!!!).

To remind you, here are the details of the books:


An encyclopedic, four-volume work on every aircraft type proposed, designed or manufactured in Australia from 1884 to the mid-1980s!

Overview

The four volumes in the series cover every known powered aircraft designed or built, from Lawrence Hargrave's experiments in the 1880s through to Keith's self imposed cutoff point in the mid-1980s.

The books lists over 540 aircraft types as well as detailed histories of the companies involved in their construction. Coverage is multi-faceted being technical, operational, historical, industrial, sociological, biographical, and political. Each volume contains numerous photographs and technical drawings, many of which have never before been seen outside the original source. The drawings include many originals from the early Australian aircraft projects.

Exhaustive research was undertaken to unearth the details of negotiations between Australian companies and those in Britain and the USA, most of which are assumed to have been irretrievably lost in the countries of origin, with no mention of them elsewhere. These include production proposals for the Vultee Vengeance, Grumman Panther, Bristol Buckingham, North American F-100, Avro 10, Concordia and the Republic F-105.

All volumes are superbly indexed and cross-referenced with the main text reinforced by extensive and detailed endnotes.

The volumes in detail:

Volume 1:

In this volume, the author has turned his attention to all aspects of aviation from 1884 to 1939 via 14 chapters each packed with a wealth of detailed writing, photographs, and technical drawings never previously seen.

Lawrence Hargrave and George Taylor
Early Experimenters
John Duigan 1 and Further Experimenters
World War 1 Aircraft Design and Building Activity
Australian Aircraft and Engineering Company
1924 Lightplane Competitions
Lasco, Qantas, and West Australian Airways
Randwick Experimental Section
Individual Builders,1918-1930
AMSCo, the MSB,and H.V. McKay
Individual Builders, 1931-1939
GAC, Cockatoo, and Tugan
De Havilland Part 1
Industry Design and Developmental Proposals Between the Wars

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Volume 2:

Chapter 15 is devoted entirely to the history of The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, a company, which has played such a huge part in the Australian aviation industry

'CAC' as it was affectionately known by the thousands who worked there was formed in 1936 and was predominantly involved in trainer and fighter production, right through to part-production of the French designed Mirage in the 1980's.

It developed into the most experienced and productive aircraft design organisation in Australia, originating imaginative world-class design proposals in all categories, most of which foundered because of lack of orders from military and civil operators, or from Government developmental sources.

CAC was also the major engine production centre in Australia, beginning with the Single Row Wasp for the Wirraway, through to the General Electric-F404 for the Hornet.

Apart from the thousands of production aircraft processed, the design projects undertaken, and the production programs investigated by CAC included the following:- Grumman Panther, supersonic fighters, Sabreliner, four engined fighter, Warrior air-superiority fighter, CA30-2F Macchi development, GAC-100 airliner, Boeing CH-47c Chinook, Yakovlev Yak-40, Grumman Tomcat, Lockheed Orion, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and many others.

The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation was taken over by Hawker de Havilland on 1 July 1986


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Volume 3:

Chapter 16 covers the Government-established facility set-up to manufacture the Bristol Beaufort for World War II and which went on to manufacture the Beaufighter and the Lincoln bomber.

The organisation underwent various title changes, including Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) and Government Aircraft Factory (GAF). The latter is probably best-known for its design and production of the twin-engined Nomad utility aircraft, sold world-wide.

On 1 July, 1987 GAF was removed from its public service umbrella and became AeroSpace Technologies Australia (ASTA), which in turn became a subsidiary of Boeing. This chapter also covers the production undertaken for the aircraft industry by the WWII Annexes established by the Government.

Chapter 17 concerns the second part of the Australian de Havilland story, starting with its production of the DH84 Dragon and continuing through the Mosquito to its postwar work on the Vampire and Drover, plus its own projects and proposals.

The latter included a Chipmunk look-alike, a Twin-Merlin transport, an original jet trainer, a four engined airliner, and Sea Venom production. Military helicopter work became a major part of company production and overhaul, plus engine and propeller overhaul at its Lidcome plant.


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Volume 4:

Chapter 18 sees us at the outbreak of war, the Aeronautical Engineering Branch of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) prepared a number of preliminary designs for aircraft types needed desperately by the Royal Australian Air Force, but the requirement was met from imports before detailed work began.

Modification of contemporary aircraft types to suit military roles was another major task undertaken by DCA, as well as the development of the `Flying Jeep' (Skywards) which was based on the Cierva C30A autogyro.

To meet the urgent need for transport aircraft by the RAAF, and for civil commitments, investigations were carried out on all sorts of aircraft from the Avro 10, the Norseman, the Curtiss Caravan, and the Commando, plus a number of local designs - the allotment of C-47's by the United State Army Air Force (USAAF) overcame the shortage.

Firms like Clyde Engineering, and Aircraft Development tried to obtain contracts to build Oxfords, Ansons, and the Bellanca 28-90B, but developments took another direction.

The war also brought a rash of proposals from smaller firms anxious to participate in the obvious need for an expanded Air Force, and many had, or obtained alliances with English or American firms with the hope of a licence production arrangement.

However, none were acceptable to the RAAF and they were all stillborn, but nonetheless, the proposals, negotiations, and principles so involved, are covered in detail.

This chapter also includes a representative selection of major redesigns to various aircraft types, and of re-engine projects, over an extended period, plus the work done by the two major airlines, after World War II, towards upgrading their fleets.

Chapter 19 looks at the Post-war period, there was a resurgence of interest in training and personal aircraft, and the work of eight companies so involved is covered, with their products including the Victa Airtourer, the Yeoman Cropmaster, and the Transavia Airtruck.

Chapter 20 deals primarily with the postwar homebuilding movement and the formation of the Ultralight Aircraft Association, which became the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia. It is divided into four parts, covering the latter's aircraft types, the minimum-aircraft movement, individual aircraft projects, and rotary-wing projects.


By the way, in case you are interested, here is a little about Keith Maggs, the author:

Keith Meggs began work at Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation early in 1943 as a teenager, and began gliding at the end of 1945.

In August 1948 he joined the Royal Australian Air Force for flying training, and subsequently flew Mustangs and later Meteor Mk.8 jets in the Korean War, earning the DFM and AAM. Following this he flew Vampires in Australia and Malta.

Keith rejoined the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in 1957 working for several years on Sabres and the Ceres cropduster.

He then joined the Department of Civil Aviation as an Air Traffic Controller before taking up freelance charter flying, which lasted some 25 years and culminated in a grand total of 19,460 hours attained on 109 types of aircraft.

A foundation member of the Aviation Historical Society of Australia in 1959, Keith has been President since 1988.

Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

An update folks - Keith rang me last night.  The first 2 volumes should be available in the next few months (hopefully).  They are now sorting out the printing/publishing.

Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Ok folks, its been a while, but the first book is almost here.  I (and hopefully a few of you) received this recently:




If anyone would like a pdf copy to place an order, please let me know.

Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Woohoo!!!  Vol. 1 is on its way .  Only problem is that I won't see it until after my return from o/s .

Regards,

Greg

[PALG]

This is great news, just when i am looking for a belated bday gift for my father. 

However, I need something in the interim - what are the best of the other publications that have been written independently or otherwise, about Australian aviation? Preferably with the main focus on the CAC and the might-have-been projects such as that post war piston fighter whose name momentarily eludes me?

I've definately seen them mentioned here before but i just cant remember what they were.

I dont think such a purchase would  be at the cost of Keith's work at all - rather, it will whet my father's appetite for more and he could look into the 4 volume work down the road.

[GTX]

Vol 1 (2 books!!!) arrived today - stunning work.  If you have any interest in Australian designed/built aircraft this is a must!

If you want a contact to purchase, just let me know.

Regards,

Greg

[elmayerle]

Alas, the spirit is willing but the exchequer is lacking.  I'd love to buy the series but the cash just isn't there for now.

[PALG]

Hi GTX

Is there any word on when Volume 2 will be released ?

[GTX]

Not yet - though I understand it will be this year.  As soon as I hear more I will advise.

Regards,

Greg

[GTX]

Folks,

Some news re the follow on volumes - received this yesterday from the publishing team:

I am currently in the process of finishing-off Volume Two —  to be ready for printing.
The script is done, the time consuming process is completing the photograph layout.
I anticipate Volume Two to be ready for the printers about mid-year.
Many aviation enthusiasts like yourself are eagerly awaiting the CAC story -- about an amazing company with a 50-year history.  It is not far off, but keep on saving, it will cost more than Volume One.

The script for Volumes Three and Four is also 98% complete — only the photograph layout remains to be completed.

Happy reading, from Michael
for
Finger-Four Publishing.

Regards,

Greg

[PALG]

Thanks GTX. 

Being in publishing (albeit in a different field) i am guessing that could mean actually publishing sometime atfer mid-year, but never mind.

It'll be a well-overdue bday present for my father but very worth it i am sure.