VH-URP Cockatoo Docks &
Engineering LJW.6 Codock (c/n 1)
This indigenous Australian light transport
was designed by Lawrence J. Wackett specifically for famed
aviator
Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. It was a
one-off, but did provide engineering knowledge for the
later
production of a slightly larger machine, the Tugan Aircraft LJW.7
Gannet, (See
VH-UVY).
Both aircraft are often
referred to as Wackett aircraft,
since the Tugan company was taken over by
the Commonwealth Aircraft
Company in early 1937, and further designs by this illustrious
engineer
were
referred to as Wackett aircraft. VH-URP was
powered by two 160 hp Napier Javelin
engines.
The photo above, from the Geoff
Goodall collection shows the Codock when it was operated by
Northern Airlines, parked
outside their hangar. Note the large titles under the
wing spelling
"NEWCASTLE", one of the towns on the airline's route
network. The image from my own
collection (below) shows it
later in the 1930s. In fact, this may have been taken after it
had been
sold to the College of Civil
Aviation for use as a ground instruction machine. VH-URP was
officially
stricken from the register in May
1940. Finally, I am indebted to Anthony Cleary for the (separate)
reproduction taken from a
1934 magazine showing VH-URP advertising scheduled services between
Newcastle and
Sydney. In order that this may be read in its
entirety I have retained the full size of it
and it may be viewed on this link.
.