Index
About Sir Lawrence James Wackett
Sir Lawrence James Wackett (1896 – 1982)
DFC, AFC, MID (1914 – 1918), BSc,
William Charles Kernot Memorial Medal (1959),
Oswald Watt Gold Medal (1974)
Sir Lawrence Wackett was born on 2nd of January 1896.
He was educated at the Duntroon Military Academy, and was later chosen as a member of the newly formed Australian Flying Corps. In the “Great War”, Wackett served in Palestine and Europe, and was noted for his innovative methods and courageous actions. During his service, he was promoted to Major, and awarded two Air Force medals for bravery under fire.
In 1923, Wackett retired from operations in the RAAF. He studied aircraft design and headed an agency known as the RAAF Experimental Station to produce aircraft in Australia. Wackett designed the Widgeon I and II flying-boat in 1924 as well as the Warragal I and II landplanes. In World War 2, Sir Lawrence Wackett designed the Wirraway fighter, of which over 700 units were produced. Later, a trainer for the Empire Air Training Scheme was designed and named after Wackett. Mustangs, Sabres and Mirages were produced under License at CAC in Melbourne.
Sir Lawrence Wackett has been one of the pioneers of Australian Aviation History.