Otto Borchert: Sir Lawrence Wackett

Artist: Otto Borchert

Nationality: Australian
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 14 by 12.5 inches
Overall Size: 24 by 20 inches
Medium: Oil on Canvas Panel

Lawrence J. Wackett served in the Australian Flying Corps in World War I, and was responsible for several inventions, among which was gun synchronisation equipment. He learned aircraft design and was Commanding Officer of the RAAF Experimental Section in Sydney from 1924. Among the Wackett designs produced were the Widgeon amphibian, and the Warrigal multi-purpose biplane (which became the first all-metal aircraft produced in Australia). Leaving the RAAF, he was with Sydney's Cockatoo Island Dockyard, and, by the mid-1930s, he was managing director of Tugan Aircraft Co. Ltd., Sydney. In 1936, when his company was building the twin-engined, high wing Gannet transport, he toured the USA with two RAAF officers. At that time negotiations were under way to set up what would become the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) and his task was to prepare a report and recommendations towards that end. Realising that a sophisticated, original design would be demanding much of the new industry, a suitable foreign design was sought for Australian construction. Wackett recommended the North American NA-16, which entered local production, with some modifications, as the CAC Wirraway, a trainer which saw front line service. Wackett remained a person of strong views and firm will. His judgment was viewed as sound, and his preferences shaped the industry. The Mustang, Avon Sabre and Mirage were among his recommendations which were taken seriously by the Government, to the benefit of the RAAF.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Combination Cover for the Australia Military Training Planes stamp issue of November 19, 1980.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06608

US$ Price: $1,400.00

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Shipping and handling will be added to the first payment. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-443-4225 from throughout U.S. and Canada.