The CAC Boomerang, a Detailed Guide - Valiant Wings Airframe Album

[Julien]

The CAC Boomerang, a Detailed Guide

Valiant Wings Airframe Album

The CAC (Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation) Boomerang has the distinction of being the first combat aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia.

Historically at the Start of WWII Australia relied on British manufactured Aircraft, and to a lesser degree some USAAF supplied aircraft. CAC examined the possibility of designing and manufacturing their own fighter, this was a fairly big challenge as only two aircraft were in production at the time locally, the Bristol Beaufort and the CAC Wirraway which was based on the North American Harvard.

CAC recruited Fred David who had worked for Heinkel in pre war Germany as well as Mitsubishi & Aichi in Japan. Technically he was an interned enemy alien but this seems to have been overlooked due to his excellent technical knowledge.

Authorisation to proceed was given in December 1941, and when presented to the Australian Government it was quickly accepted. Given the speed of manufacture no real prototypes were even produced. The first aircraft was flown in May 1942. The type went operational with the OTU in October 1942, and with the first operational squadron (no 84) in March 1943. This time frame may seem very quick but at this time there was a great threat of invasion looming from the Japanese, this must have given great impetus to all involved.

Once the RAAF received faster types from the RAF & USAAF the Boomerang would go onto to become an excellent Army Co-operation aircraft, what we would now call ground attack. In all 250 aircraft were built.

Written by Richard A. Franks, this book has been designed as a useful guide for all those modellers who have an interest in this fighter, aside from the modelleing information it provides a look at a period in the aviation history of Austrailia not widely mentioned.

The clearly defined sections cover pretty much every aspect of the Boomerangs history. The sections include:-

Chapters

• Technical Description -This is an extensive selection of images and diagrams, this section includes;
  • Fuselage (Cockpit interior, canopy, Main & Aft fuselage, fuel, hydraulics, oil & oxygen systems.
  • Undercarriage (Main, Tail Wheel & Brake system)
  • Tail (Tailplanes, Vertical Fin & Rudder)
  • Wings (Wings & Undercarriage Bays)
  • Engine (Engine, Cowling, Exhaust & Propeller)
  • Weapons & Drop Tanks (Armament, Ordnance & Sighting)
  • Electrical Equipment (Radio & Misc Electrical)
  • Misc (Access panels & Misc Equipment)
• Evolution - A full look at the evolution of the Boomerang.
• Camouflage and Markings - A comprensive look at this subject including colour profiles
• Survivors - A look at those aircraft still with us.
• The Alley Cat 1:32 Boomerang - a look at the the new 1:32 Kit from Alley Cat.

Appendices

• Boomerang Kit List - All scales
• Boomerang Accessory List - All scales
• Boomerang Decal List - All scales
• Serial numbers - A list of ALL Boomerangs built
• Bibliography

Conclusion
There can be no doubt when reading this book that a lot of time and research has been done to provide such a detailed study of this aircraft, its design, building and use. Rarely for me have I read a title cover to cover instead of skimming through it like some reference books.

Since researching for this review it has been brought to my attention that whilst Richard Hourigan is mentioned as a contributor, and actually provided a lot of information to the author, he wasnt able to proof read the final draft. Apparently there are a number of typos, factual errors and incorrect colour profiles, which have been pointed out by Mr Hourigan who actually owns a Boomerang, so should know what hes talking about. It has also been stated that the selection of photographs are excellent and most of the colour profiles are correct.

Therefore, if you are interested in the Boomerang, Australian Aircraft History, Pacific Theatre Operations; or even just something different then I can happily recommend this book.

Review sample courtesy of


To purchase the Alley Cat Kit mentioned in book follow this link

[Tom R]

Apparently there are a number of typos, factual errors and incorrect colour profiles

I have just read this book and discussed it with some Aussie colleagues. I think the quote above should read - There are a very large number of typos, factual errors and spurious color information.....

There is a good review here on Page 2 of the Aussie version of Britmodeller by 'Boomerologist'

http://www.aussiemodeller.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6605&start=10

Edited October 27, 2013 by Tom R