alan2 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Its been quite a while since the C.R.A.P.S ( Civilian Registered Aircraft Preservation Society) museum has had an exibition . We were lucky enough to get hold of a Boomerang and handed it over to the Military Aircraft Department of the Museum . So M.A.D.C.R.A.P.are proud to present there latest addition to their collection ...the Commomwealth Aircraft Corporation Boomerang....with thanks to Flight Replicas for handing this over. ................................................ The CAC Boomerang was a World War II fighter aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia between 1942 and 1945. The Boomerang was significant as the first combat aircraft designed and built entirely in Australia. Following the Japanese air raids on Darwin in northern Australia on 19 February 1942, the need for interceptors became an urgent issue for Australian defense. A shortage of available fighters prompted the rapid development and pressing into service of the Boomerang - an impressive feat as the Australian aviation industry had never designed fighters before, or built them. Once production was underway, however, the rapid arrival of Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks from the USA, and later, Spitfires from RAAF returning from the Europe theatre of operation, however, meant that the urgency of Boomerang production soon diminished, although production of limited numbers continued throughout WWII thanks to the Boomerang’s unique capabilities. In contrast to the European or North African theatre of operations, the ground war in the jungles of the southwest Pacific was quite often a series of small unit actions fought at very close quarters by widely dispersed forces with no clear front lines. It was in this type of combat that the Boomerang found its niche throughout WWII, as a superb close ground support aircraft. With good range, heavy armament, and excellent low-level handling characteristics, the aircraft could avoid ground fire in even rough terrain and still inflict heavy damage. The extensive armour plating protected the pilot, the aircraft's simple wood and aluminum airframe capable of absorbing a great deal of battle damage, the ability to drop target-marking smoke bombs for other attack forces, plus two cannons and four machine guns, made for a very effective lowlevel combat aircraft. Flying in pairs, Boomerang tasks included bombing,strafing, close infantry support and artillery spotting. RAAF No. 4 Squadron and No. 5 Squadron flew Boomerangs in New Guinea, the Solomon Islands Campaign and Borneo Campaign, with marked success, their operations requiring very close contact with the enemy. The partnership between 5 Squadron Boomerangs and Royal New Zealand Air Force Corsair fighter-bombers during the Bougainville Campaign is just one noted example of the achievements of this outstandingly effective combat aircraft. ............................................................ Miaden flight from Coffs Harbour then over to the playground of curryong, Victoria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Emms Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Thanks for the story there and some fine shots. cheers Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amentiba Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Cool to have some informations about it, thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo32 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 fantastic set there,thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean (PC Aviator) Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Great shots. Love the formation shot of the three aircraft with the high camera angle. Excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Love your work mate, great to see some true Aussie warbirds over FTX land Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan2 Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 Thanks Guys, a tough little bird. Particularly honoured with the presence of Lord Flashheart- Squadron Commander RFC. How do you do Sir ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Thanks Guys, a tough little bird. Particularly honoured with the presence of Lord Flashheart- Squadron Commander RFC. How do you do Sir ! Hahaa, just finished watching Blackadder goes forth again. Some real gems, Flashheart is from the episode 'Private Planes' Lord Flasheart: All right men, let's do-oo-oo it! The first thing to remember is: always treat your kite [Flashheart taps the picture of the Sopwith Camel with his cane] Lord Flasheart: like you treat your woman! [Flashheart whips the air with his cane] Lieutenant George: How, how do you mean, Sir? Do you mean, do you mean take her home at weekends to meet your mother? Lord Flasheart: No, I mean get inside her five times a day and take her to heaven and back. Captain Blackadder: I'm beginning to see why the suffragette movement want the vote. Lord Flasheart: Hey! Any girl who wants to chain herself to *my* railings and suffer a jet movement gets *my* vote! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan2 Posted May 26, 2011 Author Share Posted May 26, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugdani Posted May 27, 2011 Share Posted May 27, 2011 Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxter Posted May 28, 2011 Share Posted May 28, 2011 Holy smoke, really magic stuff. Cheers and thanks for sharing, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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