Tag: CAC Boomerang

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Special Hobby to Release CAC Boomerang Mk.I/II With Five Liveries

Special Hobby is preparing to release a CAC Boomerang Mk.I/II model kit in 1/72 scale.

The type was designed and built in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation from 1942 to 1945, marking the nation’s first domestically produced combat plane. Hastily developed after Japan’s entry into World War II using components from the CAC Wirraway trainer, the stubby, maneuverable Boomerang achieved a top speed of about 305 mph but underperformed in altitude and speed compared to contemporaries. Armed with two 20mm cannons and four .303 machine guns, it saw limited air-to-air success, instead excelling in ground attack, reconnaissance, and army cooperation roles in the Pacific theater, including New Guinea and Bougainville, where its rugged build absorbed heavy damage.

The upcoming release (SH72539) includes resin cast wheels and exhaust and two sprues consisting of plastic and clear parts. Marking options will be included for five machines, one machine from each RAAF squadron that flew the Boomerangs in combat. Four machines are camouflaged in green and brown scheme with light blue undersurfaces, the fifth machine is green all over.

As of this writing a final release date has not been announced. Click below to check out livery profiles.

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Kermit Weeks Details Restoration of CAC Boomerang Damaged During WW2

Shortly after completing a video series detailing his trip to Vintage V-12s, Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks is back with a new installment of “Kermie Cam” that sees him in Australia checking up on his CAC Boomerang project.

The aircraft (S/N A46-174) was originally built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and delivered to the RAAF in January 1944, serving with 4 Squadron. In May of that year, the machine suffered a ground loop at Cape Gloucester Airfield in Papua New Guinea (pictured above) and was deemed too far gone to repair, resulting in its remains being abandoned at Nadzab.

In the 1970s, Charles Darby visited the site and discovered remnants of roughly 30 aircraft, including the center section of A46-174, which was salvaged. In the 1980s Kermit Weeks acquired the machine and placed it on display prior to beginning restoration. In 2015, the aircraft arrived at Matt Denning’s shop at Caboolture Airport, Queensland, where work is now underway.

Kermit’s visit to the site will be presented in four parts, all of which will appear here as they become available. Click below to check out the series as well as an additional photo of the aircraft following its accident.

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