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The Wackett Widgeon seaplanes were built by the Experimental Section of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Randwick, NSW during the mid- to late-1920s. They were single-engined amphibious biplanes of wooden construction. Although only two were built, they featured in several newsworthy aviation events of the time. ==Development== The Widgeon was designed by Squadron Leader Lawrence James Wackett as an academic exercise in his spare time during 1923.〔Meggs 2009, p. 282〕 Late in the same year the Air Board (which controlled and administered the RAAF) submitted a proposal to the Minister of Defence recommending the establishment of an Experimental Station at the Royal Australian Navy Randwick Wireless Station. Following the submission of the proposal the Minister, Mr. Eric Kendall Bowden, visited the Station for an inspection.〔(''Sydney Morning Herald'' (Wednesday 28 November 1923) "Aviation. Sydney-Adelaide service may commence soon" p. 16 ) retrieved 2010-06-24〕 Formal approval for the formation of the RAAF Experimental Section was given by the Minister of Defence in December, and at the same time approval was granted for the construction of a flying boat based on Wackett's design for delivery to the Civil Aviation Branch (a division of the Department of Defence Control responsible for all civil aviation).〔 Construction commenced at Randwick during March 1924, but proceeded slowly due to the need to overhaul much of the machinery in the workshop. The aircraft was built to craftsman standards, with all planking in Queensland maple fixed with boat-builder's copper nails and brass screws. The rear upper fuselage was installed as a detachable inverted wooden dinghy.〔Owers, Colin A. ''Wackett's Winged Warriors: Australia's Widgeon flying-boat and amphibian'' Air Enthusiast No. 77 September/October 1998 pp38-44〕 By April 1925 construction was almost at the final assembly stage, allowing the components to be weighed. Their total weight varied by only 6.5 lbs compared to design calculations carried out 18 months prior at Victoria Barracks.〔Meggs 2009, p. 284〕 In June 1925 the Widgeon was subjected to a series of "searching tests" with satisfactory results,〔(''The Argus'' (Monday 15 June 1925) "Testing new flying boat" p. 15 ) retrieved 2010-06-24〕 and the engine was run for the first time at Randwick following a delay caused by the late delivery of exhaust valves. The Widgeon was launched into Botany Bay for the first time on 7 July.〔(''Sydney Morning Herald'' (Thursday 9 July 1925) "The Widgeon. Fails to fly, dives into Botany Bay" p. 10 ) retrieved 2010-06-24〕 At this stage the Widgeon was a seaplane, only able to take off and land on water – the removable wheels were only suitable for launching and ground handling. The Widgeon was given the registration G-AEKB (in disregard of the correct Australian registration template of G-AUxx〔("Registration markings of Australian aircraft", Airways Museum website ), retrieved 2010-06-24〕) in honour of the supportive Minister for Defence, Eric Kendall Bowden. The first attempt at a take-off from Botany Bay was made during the morning of 8 July, powered by a Siddeley Puma engine, but further attempts were delayed until the afternoon because the water was too rough. At 3:30pm the aircraft was christened by Mrs. Wackett. There were rainstorms reported in the area and during an attempted takeoff in the afternoon, the Widgeon was observed to "swerve suddenly and hit a sandbank". A subsequent attempt ended in disaster when a heavy swell caused the aircraft to become airborne too early and stall, nosediving into the bay. The four occupants, Squadron Leader Wackett, Colonel H. Brinsmead (Controller of Civil Aviation), Sergeant Harry Becker and Sergeant T.L. "Jack" Cropp did not suffer any injuries. Upon first inspection, Col. Brinsmead suggested it would take about two weeks to repair the damage to the aircraft.〔(''Brisbane Courier'' (Thursday 9 July 1925) "A nose dive. Nearly a disaster" p. 9 ) retrieved 2010-06-24〕 Repairs actually took much longer and modifications to improve the craft's handling were also made including a deeper step further aft, cutting away the side windscreens and new centre-section tanks faired into the airfoil instead of above the wings. Just under five months later on 3 December 1925 the Widgeon successfully completed its first flight from Botany Bay piloted by Squadron Leader Wackett, lasting ten minutes and reaching a height of about .〔Meggs 2009, p. 285〕 Following a series of trials carried out by the Civil Aviation Branch, it was agreed that the Widgeon could be tested by the RAAF to assess its suitability as a training aircraft. Prior to its handover in June 1927 another series of modifications were carried out to convert the Widgeon for amphibious operation (able to land and take off from both water and land). These included the addition of retractable landing gear, tailskid, dual controls, extra fuel tanks, an increase in dihedral from 3.5° to 4.75°, new deeper floats with less aileron interference, a wider windscreen, a gun-mount above the rear cabin entry, cabin side windows below the wing and a more powerful ADC Nimbus engine. At the same time as these modifications were being carried out work commenced on a larger and improved aircraft, the Widgeon II. Taxiing tests of the Widgeon II were commenced on 16 February 1928 at Mascot aerodrome〔(Morning Herald'' (Friday 17 February 1928) "Widgeon II. Ground test at Mascot Aerodrome" p. 12 ) retrieved 2010-06-24〕 and it flew for the first time on 21 February following a one-day delay due to engine problems.〔(''Brisbane Courier'' (Wednesday 22 February 1928) "Widgeon II. Successful trial" p. 15 ) retrieved 2010-06-24〕〔(''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (Wednesday 22 February 1928) "Widgeon II. In the air" p. 16 ) retrieved 2010-06-24〕 Following an extended flight from Melbourne to Darwin and back in 1928 to accompany flying boats of the RAF Far East Flight, a final series of improvements were made to the Wackett II. These included the addition of automatic wing leading edge slats, a water rudder, an exhaust manifold ring, and a metal rear-cabin structure. The forward hull beam was increased by adding blisters to extend the chines. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Wackett Widgeon」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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