How many Airtrainers did Australia buy?

Short answer

The RAAF ended up with 51 CT/4s: first 37 CT-4As from the initial production run, serials A19-027 to A19-063, and in 1981 another 14 that had been built for Rhodesia and never delivered. Twelve more went to the Ansett flying academy in Tamworth.

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

Sale of RAAF CT4 Trainers at Bankstown Aerodrome May 1993kenhodge13 (CC BY), vía commons

Two batches for the RAAF

Thirty-seven CT-4A Airtrainers were acquired for the RAAF among the first aircraft produced, serialled A19-027 to A19-063. Another fourteen were built for Rhodesia, but New Zealand Government policy prevented their delivery and they were stored for years, until in 1981 they were obtained for the RAAF with serials A19-064 to A19-077. In all, the Australian air force totalled 51 aircraft. Most were based at Point Cook, in Victoria, although one was assigned to the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU).

A design with Australian roots

Henry Millicer was chief aerodynamicist of the Australian Government Aircraft Factories. In the 1950s, he and several colleagues took part in a design competition sponsored by the Royal Aero Club of London to replace the de Havilland Chipmunk, and their proposal was developed into the Victa Airtourer. Millicer also designed a four-seat derivative, the Victa Aircruiser, whose prototype was built and flown in 1966. The CT/4 prototype made its first flight on 23 February 1972.

Other Airtrainer customers

Twelve aircraft went to the Ansett/British Aerospace flying academy, today BAE Systems, at Tamworth, New South Wales. The RNZAF had 19 aircraft built for it plus another batch of 13, and a batch of 24 went to the RTAF. Up to 2024, a total of 155 had been built.