Moorabbin Air Museum


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CAC CA-12 Boomerang A46-25

CAC Boomerang AircraftClick on image for larger version
Formed in October 1936, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation had completed over 430 Wirraways, and nearly 90 Wackett Trainers, when in December 1941, Japanese forces attacked the US Navy at Pearl Harbour.

Although already at war with Germany in Europe, the entry of Japan in the Pacific brought the threat of invasion directly to Australia, which had little in the way of modern aircraft based at home.

Three days after the attack, Fred David, Chief Engineer at CAC, sketched a drawing of a single seat fighter, using the most powerful engine available in production in Australia, and using as many Wirraway components as possible to allow for rapid production. On 21 December 1941, detailed design began, and just over 22 weeks later on 29 May 1942 the first aircraft had test flown. 

Fred David, as a German Jew, had previously worked for Heinkel in Germany, and later the Japanese Aircraft Company before fleeing Japan as a refugee as it established military links with Nazi Germany. As such Fred David was considered officially as an “unfriendly” alien, and was required to report to the police every fortnight.

It is ironic that development of Australia’s “stopgap” fighter was due to the efforts of a man technically treated as the “enemy”.

A total of 250 Boomerangs were built by CAC, and due to the later availability of fighter aircraft from the UK and USA, the Boomerang was not required to face the technically superior Japanese fighters at high altitude. Instead it was employed in Army co-operation duties where its manoeuverability at low level and 20mm Cannon made it ideal for strafing and target marking.

The Museum’s example was delivered in January 1943 and served with No 83 Squadron, finally being written off in 1945. It’s remains were discovered in Queensland in 1986 by Hawker de Havilland Victoria, who acquired it, and later donated it to the Museum in 1994.

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TECHNICAL DATA

Engine:      


Length:       

Span:               

Height:            

Weight:           

Speed:             

Range:            





14 Cylinder radial 1200HP Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp

25 feet   6 inches 

36 feet   0 inches

10 feet   6 inches

5,373 pounds (empty)

190 mph   (cruise)

930 miles 





(7.77 m)

(10.97 m)

(3.20 m)

(2,437 kg)

(305 kmh)

(1,496 km)
Picture









Frame is currently offsite and undergoing a major restoration. Photo taken June 2013.

 © 2022 Australian Aircraft Restoration Group. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • News
  • History
  • Birthdays & Functions
  • Events
  • membership
  • Museum Collection
    • ENGINES >
      • ADC Cirrus II
      • ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY >
        • Armstrong Siddeley Genet
        • Armstrong Siddeley Python
        • Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba
        • Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah
      • Bristol Hercules
      • J.A.P. V4 Engine (1910)
      • Junkers Jumo
      • Kelly and Lewis V8 (1915)
      • PRATT AND WHITNEY >
        • Pratt & Whitney R1340 Wasp
        • Pratt & Whitney R1830 Twin Wasp
        • Pratt & Whitney R2000 Twin Wasp
        • Microturbo Cougar 022 Turbojet
      • ROLLS ROYCE >
        • Rolls Royce Avon
        • Rolls Royce Dart
        • Rolls Royce Derwent
        • Rolls Royce Kestrel
        • Rolls Royce Merlin
        • Rolls Royce Nene
      • SNECMA Atar
      • Warner Scarab
    • COMMONWEALTH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION >
      • CAC Avon Sabre A94-910
      • CAC Bell Kiowa Army Helicopter
      • CAC Boomerang A46-25
      • CAC CA31 Trainer
      • CAC Ceres VH-WOT
      • CAC Macchi MB326H A7-054
      • CAC P-51D Mustang
      • CAC Wackett A3-22
      • CAC Pazmany PL4 VH-XAP
      • CAC Winjeel A85-418
      • CAC Wirraway A20-10
    • D.A.P / G.A.F. AIRCRAFT >
      • DAP Mk21 Beaufighter
      • DAP Beaufort
      • GAF Canberra
      • GAF Jindivik
      • GAF Lincoln
      • GAF Mirage
      • GAF N22 Nomad
    • Naval / Military >
      • AACA 10 Wamira
      • B.E. 2A (Wings Only)
      • Bristol Sycamore
      • Consolidated PBY Catalina
      • Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk
      • De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth
      • De Havilland DH115 Vampire
      • De Havilland Sea Venom
      • Fairey Firefly
      • Fairey Gannet
      • General Dynamics F-111C
      • Gloster Meteor
      • Miles Messenger
      • NZ Aerospace Industries CT-4
      • Westland Wessex
    • Commercial Aircraft >
      • Boeing B737-200
      • Bristol Freighter
      • de Havilland DH104 Dove
      • Douglas DC-2
      • Douglas DC-3
      • Douglas DC-9 Flight Simulator
      • Vickers Viscount
    • Other Aircraft >
      • Ansett Link Trainer
      • Auster Aiglet
      • BA Swallow II
      • BAE Systems Kingfisher
      • Cavelier
      • Cessna 310
      • de Havilland Gipsy Moth
      • Dauphin 2 Helicopter
      • Desoutter II
      • Evans VP Volksplane
      • Flying Flea
      • Link Trainer
      • McKenna Heath Parasol
      • Percival Proctor
      • Periera Osprey 2
      • Sanders Veenstra Thermite
      • Southern Cross SC-1
      • ULA Wombat
      • Victa AirTourer 100
      • Yeoman Cropmaster
    • Gliders >
      • Bensen Gyrocopter
      • Duigan Replica >
        • The Duigan Family
        • Ready Models
        • The Duigan History
        • The Duigan History 2
        • The Duigan History 3
        • The Duigan History 4
      • Heron Primary Glider
      • Koltai Ornithopter
      • Skycraft Scout
  • ONLINE SHOP
    • **New**
    • Airplane Toys >
      • Airplane Toys
      • Gliders & Kites
      • Soft Toys
      • R/C Aircraft
    • Apparel
    • MODELS >
      • Starter Model Kits
      • Model Kits
      • Assembled Models
      • Metal Earth Model Kits
    • Building Bricks >
      • Airfix Quick Build
      • Sluban Building Bricks
      • Other Building Bricks
    • Souvenirs >
      • ANAM Souvenirs
      • RAAF Centenary Souvenirs
      • Pencil Sharpeners
      • Bumper Stickers
      • Coffee Mugs
      • Patches
      • Badges
      • Key Rings
      • Posters
    • Childrens Costumes
    • Books >
      • New Books
      • Pre Loved Books
    • Tins
    • Raffle Tickets
    • Gift Passes
    • **Sale**
  • Supporting the Museum
    • Our Supporters
  • Getting There
  • Contact the Museum