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CAC Ceres

April 11, 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.

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

Development edit

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]

 
A Ceres on display at the Museum of Transport & Technology, Auckland

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 edit

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

See also edit

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References edit

  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ a b c d Dannecker, Ben (December 2005). "From the Cockpit - CAC Ceres". Pacific Flyer. .: 33–34. ISSN 1441-1121.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1959). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1959-60. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company. pp. 85–86.

Further reading edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to CAC Ceres.
  • Buckmaster, Derek (2017). Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Ceres: Australia's Heavyweight Crop-Duster. Glen Iris: Derek Buckmaster. ISBN 978-0-9945713-0-4.
  • Grant, James Ritchie (Spring 1994). "Sword into Ploughshare: Australia's Ceres Crop-duster". Air Enthusiast. No. 53. pp. 76–77. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Wilson, Stewart (1991). Wirraway, Boomerang & CA-15 in Australian Service. Aerospace Publications. p. 206. ISBN 0-9587978-8-9.

April 11, 2024
ceres, commonwealth, aircraft, ceres, crop, duster, aircraft, manufactured, australia, commonwealth, aircraft, corporation, between, 1959, 1963, aircraft, development, wirraway, trainer, world, ceresca, ceres, wangaratta, victoria, march, 1988role, agricultura. 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 CA 28 CeresCA 28 Ceres at Wangaratta Victoria in March 1988Role Agricultural aircraftManufacturer Commonwealth Aircraft CorporationFirst flight 1958 see Development Introduction 1959Produced 1959 1963Number built 21Developed from CAC Wirraway Contents 1 Development 2 Specifications 3 See also 4 References 5 Further readingDevelopment editIn 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 nbsp A Ceres on display at the Museum of Transport amp Technology AucklandThe 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 amp 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 editData from Sword into Ploughshare 3 Jane s all the World s Aircraft 1959 60 4 General characteristicsCrew 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 amp Whitney R 1340 S3H1 G 9 cyl air cooled radial piston engine 600 hp 450 kW Propellers 3 bladed variable pitch propellerPerformance 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 AUWSee also edit nbsp Aviation portalRelated development CAC WirrawayAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Ayres Thrush Cessna 188 de Havilland Canada DHC 2 Beaver Grumman Ag Cat PAC Fletcher PZL Mielec M 18 Dromader Transavia PL 12 Airtruk Zlin Z 37 CmelakReferences edit 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 amp Company pp 85 86 Further reading edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to CAC Ceres Buckmaster Derek 2017 Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Ceres Australia s Heavyweight Crop Duster Glen Iris Derek Buckmaster ISBN 978 0 9945713 0 4 Grant James Ritchie Spring 1994 Sword into Ploughshare Australia s Ceres Crop duster Air Enthusiast No 53 pp 76 77 ISSN 0143 5450 Wilson Stewart 1991 Wirraway Boomerang amp CA 15 in Australian Service Aerospace Publications p 206 ISBN 0 9587978 8 9 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title CAC Ceres amp oldid 1192434759, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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