CAC Boomerang

CAC Boomerang

The CAC Boomerang was a World War II-era fighter aircraft developed and produced in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation between 1942 and 1945.

Prompted by Japan’s entry into the conflict, the Boomerang was fast-tracked to fulfil the Royal Australian Air Force’s urgent need for a domestically built combat aircraft.

It holds the distinction of being the first fully Australian-designed and manufactured military fighter.

Several variants were constructed under production designations CA-12, CA-13, CA-14, and CA-19, each incorporating incremental improvements.

Despite its rugged reliability and agility at lower altitudes, the Boomerang’s performance was limited by its powerplant, which underperformed at high elevations and rendered it slower than many contemporary fighters.

Operationally, the Boomerang saw limited air-to-air combat.

Initially assigned to home defence units, it freed up more capable fighters for deployment abroad.

Later in the war, it found a niche as a close air support platform, working alongside Allied ground forces, and was also employed in roles such as reconnaissance and air-sea rescue.

CAC Boomerang Variant Overview

CA-12 (Boomerang Mk I)

Role

First production single-seat fighter

Production Quantity

105 units

Serial Range

A46-1 to A46-105

Features

Based on the CAC Wirraway trainer airframe

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S3C4-G Twin Wasp radial engine (1,200 hp)

Armament

2 × 20 mm Hispano cannons, 4 × .303 Browning machine guns

Designed for rapid domestic production during early WWII

Performance

Max speed

305 mph (491 km/h)

Service ceiling

29,000 ft (8,800 m)

Operational Use

Primarily in home defence and army cooperation roles

CA-13 (Boomerang Mk II)

Role

Improved fighter variant

Production Quantity

95 units

Serial Range

A46-106 to A46-200

Enhancements Over CA-12

Minor aerodynamic and structural refinements

Introduction of “porcupine” flame-damping exhausts (from A46-125 onward)

Wooden wing-tips replaced aluminium ones for weight savings

Operational Use

Continued service in tactical support and reconnaissance

CA-14

Turbo-Supercharged Prototype

Role

High-altitude interceptor prototype

Quantity

1 aircraft (Serial A46-1001)

Engine

Pratt & Whitney R-1830 fitted with General Electric B-2 turbo-supercharger

Modifications

Revised cowling and intercooler system

Removed top-mounted carburettor scoop for cleaner airflow

Improved climb rate and ceiling

Performance

Top speed

422 mph (679 km/h)

Ceiling

41,000 ft (12,500 m)

Outcome

Despite impressive performance, not adopted due to availability of superior Allied fighters

CA-14A

Modified CA-14 Prototype

Role

Refined version of CA-14

Modifications

Square-cut tail and rudder for improved directional stability

Additional aerodynamic tweaks and cooling enhancements

Continued use of turbo-supercharged engine

Status

Remained a test-bed

not produced in quantity

CA-19

Tactical Reconnaissance Variant

Role

Fighter-reconnaissance aircraft

Production Quantity

49 units

Serial Range

A46-201 to A46-249

Features

Based on CA-13 airframe

Equipped with vertical F.24 camera in fuselage for battlefield photography

Retained full armament for self-defence and target marking

Operational Use

Used by RAAF No. 4 and No. 5 Squadrons in New Guinea, Bougainville, and Borneo

Frequently paired with RNZAF Corsairs for target marking and artillery spotting

Nicknamed “Jungle Scouts” for their low-level reconnaissance missions

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