Boomerang by blinkings

Photography • Aviation • posted on Apr 02, 2011

Open full image in new tab Zoom on image

Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.

Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.

Description

The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) Boomerang was a single seat fighter/army cooperation aircraft powered by a 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S3C4G Twin Wasp 14 cylinder twin row radial engine. Built in response to Australia's urgent need for fighter aircraft in WWII, the Boomerang utilised the design principles and construction techniques of the Wirraway advanced trainer, already in production at CAC. Such was the speed of its development that no actual prototype was produced. The first five production aircraft were already under construction before the first aircraft flew. From official approval by the Government to proceed with the Boomerang production to the time of the first official flight was a little over sixteen weeks, a remarkable achievement by world standards. The Boomerang still remains to this day the only fully Australian designed and built fighter aircraft to see production. Following the flight of the first Boomerang on 29th May 1942, a further 249 Boomerangs were constructed under four separate contracts between 1942 and 1945. Model designations were CA-12, CA-13, CA-19 and one CA-14 experimental turbocharged version. This same aircraft A46-1001 was later subjected to further major design changes and redesignated the CA-14A. The Boomerang was flown by Nos. 4, 5, 83, 84 and 85 Squadrons RAAF in a home-defence role, undertaking escort duties for shipping convoys and in operations against the Japanese. It excelled in low-level army cooperation work over the New Guinea jungles, tasks which included directing artillery fire, marking targets for P-40 Kittyhawks and Corsair aircraft and providing aerial protection for ground troops. Best viewed zoomed.

Comments (19)

)

kjer_99

1:22AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

That is a fine aircraft with a proud history.

)

blinkings

1:24AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

Agreed!

)

jayfar

2:45AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

This is a super shot and great info too.

)

beachzz

2:45AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

I am learning so much about all these aircraft--and you must be a great teacher, because I'm sure enjoying the lessons!!

)

durleybeachbum

3:50AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

I like these human-scale planes!

)

cfulton

4:38AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

Something to be proud of! Thanks for all the info - great POV! Clive

)

GARAGELAND

5:07AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

I had to laugh at the Boomerang name, what else would the Aussies call a fighter plane ? This really comes to life on the zoom!

)

chuter

6:55AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

Nice, I'd like to see one. You can still see the North American Aviation influence in it.

)

bimm3d

7:10AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

wonderful photo!!

)

bmac62

7:39AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

Superb...must be zoomed to really appreciate. Have never seen one before...going into my favorites right away.

)

kgb224

7:42AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

Outstanding photography my friend.

)

Faemike55

9:41AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

Fantastic shot and very interesting history Excellent

)

debbielove

10:40AM | Sat, 02 April 2011

Andrew! I was hoping.. wondering, if this aircraft I had read so much about during its rebuild and first flights in 'Flypast' Magazine would be at your show... AND here she is! An amazing feat of construction and planning!! AND it bloody worked! A Fave! Rob

)