CAC Ceres: Difference between revisions

CA-28 Ceres
CA-28 Ceres
	CA-28 Ceres at Wangaratta, Victoria, in March 1988
General information
Type	Agricultural aircraft
Manufacturer	Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Number built	21
History
Manufactured	1959-1963
Introduction date	1959
First flight	1958 (see Development)
Developed from	CAC Wirraway

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Latest revision as of 20:54, 28 November 2024

The Commonwealth Aircraft CA-28 Ceres was a crop-duster aircraft manufactured in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) between 1959 and 1963. The aircraft was a development of the Wirraway trainer of World War II.

Development

In the 1950s, most crop-dusting aircraft in Australia were conversions of military types that met with varying success. Two CAC types so converted were the Wackett and the Wirraway. Neither type was successful as a crop duster, the Wackett because it was underpowered and the Wirraway because it was not designed for low-level slow-speed flight. Following a market survey conducted together with ICI^{[clarification needed]}, CAC determined there was a need for a purpose-built aircraft optimized for agricultural work. Once the board approved the project, a number of surplus Wirraways were purchased from the RAAF for use in the production of this new aircraft.^[1]

The design that emerged, although superficially similar to the Wirraway, was really a new type that used some Wirraway components, rather than a conversion. The only major components used in both types without alteration were the tail group and the landing gear. The fuselage was completely new, with a 41-cubic-foot (1.16 m³) hopper installed between the engine and the high-mounted single-seat cockpit. The Wirraway wing was substantially altered for use in the Ceres. The outer wing panels had slotted trailing-edge flaps and fixed leading edge slats, while the centre-section was substantially altered to accommodate the hopper, the greater weight of the Ceres, the different flaps (the Wirraway had split flaps,) and the new type's fixed landing gear with CAC Mustang main wheels,^[2] as opposed to the Wirraway's retractable gear, although the same landing gear legs were used however. The increase in wingspan and wing area of the Ceres compared to the Wirraway was also incorporated in the centre section, and the result was an aircraft with much more docile stalling characteristics than those of the Wirraway.^[2] The engine was the same, a Pratt & Whitney R-1340, but altered so that it was direct drive rather than geared as on the Wirraway.^[2] The three-bladed variable-pitch propeller was also different, having a wider chord and smaller diameter compared to the Wirraway, to suit the Ceres different operating regime and the direct-drive engine.^[2]

The Ceres prototype first flew in February 1958, in the hands of CAC test pilot Bill Scott, and the first production aircraft was delivered in April 1959. After five aircraft had been built, provision was made for a rear-facing seat behind the cockpit, housed under an extended canopy, which was the only major design change during production. The CAC hoped to sell at least fifty aircraft, but production of the Ceres ended in July 1963 after 21 aircraft had been built, although one could be more accurately described as a rebuild, because it was manufactured using parts salvaged from the first aircraft, which had crashed in 1961. The Ceres succumbed to the popularity of more modern and economical designs such as the Piper Pawnee and PAC Fletcher.

Ceres aircraft survive in small numbers, with two still registered to fly in Australia, and examples in museums in Australia and New Zealand, the latter being a survivor of the six Ceres exported to that country. Recently, with the popularity of the Wirraway as a warbird, and the scarcity of Wirraway components, Ceres wings have been "de-converted" for use in Wirraway restorations. However, because of the substantial differences between the two types, that has proved to be troublesome.

Specifications

Data from Sword into Ploughshare,^[3] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1959-60 ^[4]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Capacity: 2,380 lb (1,080 kg) max payload / 40 cu ft (1.1 m³) hopper
Length: 30 ft 9 in (9.36 m)
Wingspan: 46 ft 11 in (14.3 m)
Height: 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
Wing area: 312 sq ft (29.0 m²)
Empty weight: 4,400 lb (1,996 kg)
Gross weight: 6,720 lb (3,048 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 7,350 lb (3,334 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340 S3H1-G 9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine, 600 hp (450 kW)
Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch propeller

Performance

Cruise speed: 105 kn (121 mph, 194 km/h) at4,950 lb (2,250 kg)
Operating speed: 96.5 kn (111.1 mph; 178.7 km/h) with max payload
Stall speed: 63.9 kn (73.5 mph, 118.3 km/h) at max AUW
Ferry range: 450 nmi (520 mi, 830 km) with 80 imp gal (96 US gal; 360 L) fuel
Rate of climb: 725 ft/min (3.68 m/s) at max AUW
Take-off to 50 ft (15 m): 2,185 ft (666 m) with max payload
Landing from 50 ft (15 m): 585 ft (178 m) at 5,500 lb (2,500 kg) AUW

References

^ CAC purchased a total of 61 surplus Wirraways. For example, a batch of 5 purchased on 2 May 1958: Sales Advice SV.40232. National Archives of Australia Series A705, 9/86/296
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Dannecker, Ben (December 2005). "From the Cockpit - CAC Ceres". Pacific Flyer. .: 33–34. ISSN 1441-1121.
^ Grant, James Richie. "Sword into Ploughshare:Australia's Ceres crop-duster". Air Enthusiast. No. Fifty–three, Spring 1994. Key Publishing. pp. 76–77. ISSN 0143-5450.
^ Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1959). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1959-60. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company. pp. 85–86.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
 <!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
-{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
+{{Infobox aircraft
   |name=CA-28 Ceres
   |image=CAC-28 Ceres 1988.jpg
-  |caption=CA-28 Ceres at Wangaratta, Victoria, in March 1988
+  |caption=CA-28 Ceres at [[Wangaratta]], Victoria, in March 1988
-}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
   |type=[[Agricultural aircraft]]
   |manufacturer=[[Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation]]
   |designer=
-  |first flight=1958 (see Development)
+  |first_flight=1958 (see Development)
-  |introduced=[[1959 in aviation|1959]]
+  |introduction=[[1959 in aviation|1959]]
   |retired=
   |status=
-  |primary user=
+  |primary_user=
-  |more users=
+  |more_users=
   |produced=1959-1963
-  |number built=21
+  |number_built=21
   |unit cost=
-  |developed from= [[CAC Wirraway]]
+  |developed_from= [[CAC Wirraway]]
-  |variants with their own articles=
+  |variants=
 }}
-|}
 The '''Commonwealth Aircraft CA-28 Ceres''' was a crop-duster aircraft manufactured in [[Australia]] by the [[Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation]] (CAC) between 1959 and 1963. The aircraft was a development of the [[CAC Wirraway|Wirraway]] trainer of [[World War II]].
 ==Development==
-In the 1950s most crop-dusting aircraft in Australia were conversions of military types that met with varying success. Two CAC types so converted were the [[CAC Wackett|Wackett]] and the Wirraway. Neither type was successful in this role, the Wackett because it was underpowered and the Wirraway because it was not designed for low-level slow-speed flight. Following a market survey conducted together with ICI, CAC determined there was a need for a purpose-built aircraft optimized for agricultural work. Once the board approved the project a number of surplus Wirraways were purchased from the RAAF for use in the production of this new aircraft.<ref>CAC purchased a total of 61 surplus Wirraways. For example, a batch of 5 purchased on 2 May 1958: Sales Advice SV.40232. National Archives of Australia Series A705, 9/86/296</ref>
+In the 1950s, most crop-dusting aircraft in Australia were conversions of military types that met with varying success. Two CAC types so converted were the [[CAC Wackett|Wackett]] and the Wirraway. Neither type was successful as a crop duster, the Wackett because it was underpowered and the Wirraway because it was not designed for low-level slow-speed flight. Following a market survey conducted together with ICI{{huh?|date=December 2021}}, CAC determined there was a need for a purpose-built aircraft optimized for agricultural work. Once the board approved the project, a number of surplus Wirraways were purchased from the RAAF for use in the production of this new aircraft.<ref>CAC purchased a total of 61 surplus Wirraways. For example, a batch of 5 purchased on 2 May 1958: Sales Advice SV.40232. National Archives of Australia Series A705, 9/86/296</ref>
-[[File:CAC Ceres at MOTAT June 2012.JPG|thumb|left|A Ceres on display at [[MOTAT]] in Auckland]]
+[[File:CAC Ceres at MOTAT June 2012.JPG|thumb|left|A Ceres on display at the [[Museum of Transport & Technology]], [[Auckland]]]]
-The design that emerged, while superficially similar to the Wirraway, was really a new type that used some Wirraway components rather than a conversion. The only major components used in both types without alteration were the tail group and the landing gear. The fuselage was completely new, with a {{convert|41|ft3|m3|2|adj=on}} [[Chute (gravity)|hopper]] installed between the engine and the high-mounted single-seat cockpit. The Wirraway wing was substantially altered for use in the Ceres. The outer wing panels had slotted trailing-edge [[Flap (aircraft)|flaps]] and fixed [[leading edge slats]], while the centre-section was substantially altered to accommodate the hopper, the higher weights of the Ceres, the different flaps (the Wirraway had split flaps) and the new type's fixed landing gear with [[P-51 Mustang|CAC Mustang]] main wheels<ref name="BD">Dannecker, Ben. "From the Cockpit - CAC Ceres". ''Pacific Flyer'' magazine, December 2005, p33-34. ISSN 1441-1121.</ref> as opposed to the Wirraway's retractable gear (the same landing gear legs were used however). The increase in wingspan and wing area of the Ceres compared to the Wirraway was also incorporated in the centre-section, and the end result was an aircraft with much more docile [[stall (flight)|stalling]] characteristics than those of the Wirraway.<ref name="BD"/> The engine was the same type, a [[Pratt & Whitney R-1340]], but altered so that it was direct-drive instead of geared as on the Wirraway.<ref name="BD"/> The three-bladed variable-pitch propeller was also different, being of wider [[Chord (aircraft)|chord]] and smaller diameter compared to the Wirraway's to suit the Ceres' different operating regime and the direct-drive engine.<ref name="BD"/>
+The design that emerged, although superficially similar to the Wirraway, was really a new type that used some Wirraway components, rather than a conversion. The only major components used in both types without alteration were the tail group and the landing gear. The fuselage was completely new, with a {{convert|41|ft3|m3|2|adj=on}} [[chute (gravity)|hopper]] installed between the engine and the high-mounted single-seat cockpit. The Wirraway wing was substantially altered for use in the Ceres. The outer wing panels had slotted trailing-edge [[flap (aircraft)|flaps]] and fixed [[leading edge slats]], while the centre-section was substantially altered to accommodate the hopper, the greater weight of the Ceres, the different flaps (the Wirraway had split flaps,) and the new type's fixed landing gear with [[P-51 Mustang|CAC Mustang]] main wheels,<ref name="BD">{{cite journal|last1=Dannecker|first1=Ben|title=From the Cockpit - CAC Ceres|journal=Pacific Flyer|date=December 2005|volume=.|pages=33–34|issn=1441-1121}}</ref> as opposed to the Wirraway's retractable gear, although the same landing gear legs were used however. The increase in wingspan and wing area of the Ceres compared to the Wirraway was also incorporated in the centre section, and the result was an aircraft with much more docile [[stall (flight)|stalling]] characteristics than those of the Wirraway.<ref name="BD"/> The engine was the same, a [[Pratt & Whitney R-1340]], but altered so that it was direct drive rather than geared as on the Wirraway.<ref name="BD"/> The three-bladed variable-pitch propeller was also different, having a wider [[chord (aircraft)|chord]] and smaller diameter compared to the Wirraway, to suit the Ceres different operating regime and the direct-drive engine.<ref name="BD"/>
-The Ceres prototype first flew in February 1958 in the hands of CAC test pilot Roy Goon<ref name="BD"/> and the first production aircraft was delivered in April 1959. After five aircraft had been built provision was made for a rearward-facing seat behind the cockpit, housed under an extended canopy. This was the only major design change during production. CAC had hoped to sell at least fifty aircraft, but production of the Ceres ended in July 1963 after 21 aircraft had been built (one could perhaps be more accurately described as a rebuild, as it was manufactured using parts salvaged from the first aircraft, which crashed in 1961). The type succumbed to the popularity of more modern and economical designs such as the [[Piper Pawnee]] and [[PAC Fletcher]].
+The Ceres prototype first flew in February 1958, in the hands of CAC test pilot Bill Scott, and the first production aircraft was delivered in April 1959. After five aircraft had been built, provision was made for a rear-facing seat behind the cockpit, housed under an extended canopy, which was the only major design change during production. The CAC hoped to sell at least fifty aircraft, but production of the Ceres ended in July 1963 after 21 aircraft had been built, although one could be more accurately described as a rebuild, because it was manufactured using parts salvaged from the first aircraft, which had crashed in 1961. The Ceres succumbed to the popularity of more modern and economical designs such as the [[Piper Pawnee]] and [[PAC Fletcher]].
-The Ceres survives in small numbers, with two still registered to fly in Australia and examples in museums in [[Australian National Aviation Museum|Australia]] and [[Museum of Transport and Technology|New Zealand]], the latter being a survivor of the six Ceres exported to that country. Recently, with the popularity of the Wirraway as a [[Warbird]] and the scarcity of Wirraway components, Ceres wings have been "de-converted" for use in Wirraway restorations; because of the substantial differences between the two types this has proved to be rather troublesome.
+Ceres aircraft survive in small numbers, with two still registered to fly in Australia, and examples in museums in [[Australian National Aviation Museum|Australia]] and [[Museum of Transport & Technology|New Zealand]], the latter being a survivor of the six Ceres exported to that country. Recently, with the popularity of the Wirraway as a [[warbird]], and the scarcity of Wirraway components, Ceres wings have been "de-converted" for use in Wirraway restorations. However, because of the substantial differences between the two types, that has proved to be troublesome.
 ==Specifications==
-{{Aircraft specifications
+{{Aircraft specs
+|ref=Sword into Ploughshare,<ref name="Grant p77">{{cite magazine |last1= Grant|first1=James Richie  |title=Sword into Ploughshare:Australia's Ceres crop-duster |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |publisher= Key Publishing|issue=Fifty-three, Spring 1994 |pages=76–77|issn= 0143-5450}}</ref> Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1959-60 <ref name=JAWA59-60>{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1959-60 |editor1-last=Bridgman |editor1-first=Leonard |year=1959 |publisher=[[Sampson Low, Marston & Company]] |location=London |pages=85–86}}</ref>
-|ref=Sword into Ploughshare<ref name="Grant p77">Grant 1994, p. 77.</ref>
+|prime units?=kts
-|plane or copter?=plane
+<!--
-|jet or prop?=prop
+        General characteristics
+-->
 |crew=1
+|capacity={{cvt|2380|lb}} max payload / {{cvt|40|cuft}} hopper
-|payload=2,380 lb (1,080 kg) (max payload)
-|length main=30 ft 8 in
+|length m=9.36
-|length alt=9.36 m
+|span m=14.3
+|height m=2.74
-|span main=46 ft 11 in
+|wing area sqft=312
-|span alt=14.30 m
+|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
-|height main=9 ft
+|airfoil=
-|height alt=2.74 m
+|empty weight lb=4400
-|area main=312 ft²
+|gross weight lb=6720
-|area alt=28.98 m²
-|empty weight main=4,400 lb
+|max takeoff weight lb=7350
+|fuel capacity=
-|empty weight alt=1,995 kg
-|loaded weight main=6,720 lb
-|loaded weight alt=3,048 kg
-|max takeoff weight main=7,350 lb
-|max takeoff weight alt=3,334 kg
 |more general=
+<!--
-|engine (prop)=[[Pratt & Whitney R-1340]] S3H1-G
+        Powerplant
-|type of prop=nine-cylinder air-cooled [[radial engine]]
+-->
-|number of props=1
+|eng1 number=1
-|power main=600 hp
+|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney R-1340 S3H1-G]]
-|power alt=447 kW
+|eng1 type=9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine
-|max speed main=111 mph
+|eng1 hp=600
-|max speed alt=97 knots, 179 km/h
-|max speed more=(max payload)
-|cruise speed main=
-|cruise speed alt=
-|stall speed main=75 mph
-|stall speed alt=65 knots, 118 km/h
-|ferry range main=518 miles
-|ferry range alt=450 [[nautical mile|nmi]], 834 km
-|ceiling main=
-|ceiling alt=
-|climb rate main=
-|climb rate alt=
-|loading main=<!-- lb/ft²-->
-|loading alt=<!-- kg/m²-->
-|power/mass main=<!-- hp/lb-->
-|power/mass alt=<!-- W/kg-->
-|more performance=
+|prop blade number=3
+|prop name=variable-pitch propeller
+|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
+|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
+|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
+|prop dia note=
+<!--
+        Performance
+-->
+|max speed kmh=
+|max speed mph=
+|max speed kts=
+|max speed note=
+|cruise speed kts=105
+|cruise speed note= at{{cvt|4950|lb}}<br>
+*'''Operating speed:''' {{cvt|96.5|kn|mph km/h}} with max payload
+|stall speed kts=63.9
+|stall speed note=at max AUW
+|never exceed speed kmh=
+|never exceed speed mph=
+|never exceed speed kts=
+|never exceed speed note=
+|range km=
+|range miles=
+|range nmi=
+|range note=
+|ferry range nmi=450
+|ferry range note=with {{cvt|80|impgal|USgal l}} fuel
+|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
+|ceiling m=
+|ceiling ft=
+|ceiling note=
+|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
+|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
+|climb rate ftmin=725
+|climb rate note=at max AUW
+|time to altitude=
+|wing loading kg/m2=
+|wing loading lb/sqft=
+|wing loading note=
+|fuel consumption kg/km=
+|fuel consumption lb/mi=
+|power/mass=
+|more performance=<br>
+*'''Take-off to {{cvt|50|ft}}:''' {{cvt|2185|ft}} with max payload
+*'''Landing from {{cvt|50|ft}}:''' {{cvt|585|ft}} at {{cvt|5500|lb}} AUW
+|avionics=
 }}
@@ Line 101: / Line 129: @@
 ==References==
-{{Commons category}}
-;Notes
 {{Reflist}}
-;Bibliography
+==Further reading==
-* {{cite book |last=Buckmaster |first=Derek |title=Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Ceres: Australia's Heavyweight Crop-Duster |year=2017 |publisher=Derek Buckmaster |location=Glen Iris |page=256 |isbn=978-0-9945713-0-4 }}
+{{Commons category}}
-* {{cite magazine |last1= Grant|first1=James Richie  |title=Sword into Ploughshare:Australia's Ceres crop-duster |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |publisher= Key Publishing|issue=Fifty-three, Spring 1994 |pages=76–77|issn= 0143-5450}}
-* {{cite book |last= Wilson |first= Stewart |title=Wirraway, Boomerang & CA-15 in Australian Service |year=1991 |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location= |page=206 |isbn=0-9587978-8-9 }}
+* {{cite book |last=Buckmaster |first=Derek |title=Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Ceres: Australia's Heavyweight Crop-Duster |year=2017 |publisher=Derek Buckmaster |location=Glen Iris |isbn=978-0-9945713-0-4 }}
+*{{cite magazine|last=Grant|first=James Ritchie|title=Sword into Ploughshare: Australia's Ceres Crop-duster|magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]] |date=Spring 1994|issue=53 |pages=76–77 |issn=0143-5450}}
-<!--==External links==-->
+* {{cite book |last= Wilson |first= Stewart |title=Wirraway, Boomerang & CA-15 in Australian Service |year=1991 |publisher=Aerospace Publications |page=206 |isbn=0-9587978-8-9 }}
+{{Texan family}}
 {{Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation}}
 [[Category:Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation aircraft|Ceres]]
-[[Category:Australian agricultural aircraft 1950–1959]]
+[[Category:1950s Australian agricultural aircraft]]
 [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
 [[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
+[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1958]]
+[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]
+[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]

v t e Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) aircraft
Type Number	CA-1 CA-2 CA-3 CA-4 CA-5 CA-6 CA-7 CA-8 CA-9 CA-10 CA-11 CA-12 CA-13 CA-14 CA-15 CA-16 CA-17 CA-18 CA-19 CA-20 CA-21 CA-22 CA-23 CA-24 CA-25 CA-26 CA-27 CA-28 CA-29 CA-30 CA-31 CA-32 CA-33 CA-34 CA-35 CA-36
Name	Boomerang Ceres Mustang Sabre Wackett Winjeel Wirraway Woomera

Latest revision as of 20:54, 28 November 2024

Development

Specifications

See also

References

Further reading