Australia's CAC Boomerang fighter

Photos

CAC Boomerang fighter:	CAC Boomerang fighter:	CAC Boomerang fighter:
CAC Boomerang fighter:	CAC Boomerang fighter:

Design

CAC developed the Boomerang as an answer to the possibility of a Japanese invasion of Australia.^1,2 Lawrence Wackett was the head designer for Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation.² Development was rushed to get it produced as quickly as possible and within five months it was designed, built, and flown.^1,2

However, the Boomerang didn't see service until March 1943, by which time P-40 Kittyhawks and Supermarine Spitfires were being delivered.¹

Borrowed

It took many of it's components features from the Wirraway.^1,2

Prototype

The first CA-12 flew on May 19, 1942 / May 29, 1942².¹

Production

• CAC CA-12: 105¹
• CAC CA-13: 95¹
• CAC CA-19: 49¹
• CAC CA-14/A: 1¹
• Total: 250^1,2
  • Manufacturer: Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation²
  • Production: ? - February 1945¹, Mid 1943 - ?²

Variants

• CAC CA-14/A: Had turbo charged engine.¹

Usage

Operational Training Units first received the CA-12s in October 1942.^1,2

Five Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadrons were equipped with the Boomerang.¹

Operational

The first squadron to become operational with Boomerangs was on April 4, 1943.²

First Battle

On May 16, 1943, three Mitsubishi G4Ms were intercepted by two Boomerangs.² No planes were shot down.²

Army Cooperation

Once Britain and the United States was able to supply fighters for the Royal Australian Air Force the Boomerang was relegated to support.²

The Boomerang's maneuverability and armament made it an ideal close support aircraft.¹ It was able to show excellent service in New Guinea and Bougainville.¹

Specifications

	CAC Boomerang1	CAC Boomerang CA-12 (A46)2
Type	Fighter1, Army cooperation1	Fighter2
Crew	11	12
Engine (Type)	Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S3C4 Twin Wasp1	Pratt & Whitney R-1830 S3C4-G Twin Wasp2
Cylinders	Radial 141	Radial 142
Cooling		Air2
HP	1,2001	1,2002
Propeller blades	31
Dimensions
Span	36'1 10.97 m1	36' 3"2
Length	25' 6"1 7.77 m1	25' 6"2
Height	10' 6"1 3.2 m1	11' 6"2
Wing area
Weight
Empty	5,373 lb1 2,437 kg1
Loaded	7,699 lb1 3,492 kg1	7,699 lb2
Maximum load	8,249 lb1 3,742 kg1
Performance
Speed @ 7,400'		302 mph2
Speed @ 15,500' / 4,725 m	305 mph1 491 kph1
Cruising speed	190 mph1 305 kph1
Climb	2,150'/minute1 655 m/minute1
Service ceiling	34,000'1 10,363 m1	29,000'2
Range	930 miles1 1,496 km1	930 miles2
Maximum range with drop tanks	1,600 miles1 2,575 km1
Armament		2: 20 mm2 4: MG2
Wings	2: 20 mm1 4: 0.303" MG1
Bombs		500 lb2
Smoke bombs under wings	4: 20 lb1 4: 9 kg1