A23-1001, the sole CA-4, was lost when it exploded in midair near Kilmore, Victoria, on January 15, 1943. A fuel leak was the suspected cause. Work had already started on a production version, the CA-11 Woomera. 105 were ordered, then trimmed to 20 and finally only the first, A23-1, was completed and flown. It and the incomplete aircraft were sold for scrap. Photo from: State Library of South Australia

Unofficially dubbed the Kangaroo, the CA-15 was developed as a replacement for the P-51 Mustang then in production in Australia as the Commonwealth CA-17/18. The CA-15 was powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffin engine. Flew in 1946 by which time it was clear the jet fighter was the future. The RAAF opted to stick with the proven Mustang until DH Vampires were delivered in 1949. A62-1001 was scrapped c.1950. Photo from: Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation

The only Beaufighter powered by Wright GR-2600 engines, The nacelles extended past the trailing edge of the wings to accommodate the larger engines. Conversion was a safeguard against disruption to the supply of Bristol Hercules engines for Australian-made Beaufighters. Performance was poorer than Hercules-powered aircraft and engine supply was not disrupted, so the project was dropped. A19-2, a British-built aircraft and a combat veteran, was scrapped. Photo from: National Archives of Australia

Crashed Lakes Entrance, Victoria, on December 17, 1950.

Prototype Wackett when fitted with a DH Gipsy Major engine. Performance poor so refitted with a Gipsy Six. Heavier engine improved performance but at expense of a higher stalling speed and longer take-off run. Warner Scarab radial selected for production model (CA-6). The delays meant the RAAF adopted the DH82 Tiger Moth as its main trainer. 200 CA-6s were delivered to the RAAF compared with 1085 DH82.

The prototype Drover with a Lincoln built at Fishermans Bend and the first jet aircraft in Australia, Vampire F1 A78-1.

This is the former GAF/CAC aerodrome at Fisherman's Bend, Melbourne. The partially completed Westgate Bridge indicates this photo was taken c.1965-66. The remains of the runways can still be seen but the aircraft factories themselves are out of shot to the left. Opened in 1935, with higher performance aircraft appearing in the 1950s the Fishermans Bend aerodrome became too constrained. In 1953 Avalon aerodrome, on the Geelong road, was opened for test flying the new generation of jet aircraft. The Fishermans Bend aerodrome itself closed in 1957.

A73-60 photographed being converted by GAF to maritime reconnaissance as a Mk31 with a lengthened nose to accommodate additional crew and equipment. In 1956 -60 was fitted with rocket rails and used for armament acceptance trials with ARDU. Withdrawn from use in 1961. Used for fire fighting training.

CAC photo of the Ceres production line. VH-CEQ was withdrawn from the register in March 1961 without flying while a buyer was found. It finally flew in December that year and was restored to the register the next month as VH-WAX.

A73-62 was the first new Lincoln delivered with an extended nose to provide room for additional crew and equipment needed for maritime reconnaissance operations. The final 12 Australian-built Lincolns (of 73) were modified before delivery and eight others were returned by the RAAF to Government Aircraft Factory for conversion, including the prototype. -62 was withdrawn from use in 1961. The location of the photo is believed to the GAF factory at Fisherman's Bend in inner-city Melbourne. The airstrip closed in 1957. This is an official photo by GAF.