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Post by corsair67 on Sept 7, 2006 18:52:22 GMT 12
Hot off the presses.......er, e-mail! ;D
The Temora Aviation Museum is excited to announce that an airworthy Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Boomerang has been acquired as part of the collection.
The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) Boomerang is a single seat fighter aircraft powered by a 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S3C4G Twin Wasp 14 cylinder twin row radial engine.
Built in response to Australia's urgent need for fighter aircraft in WWII, the Boomerang utilised the design principles and construction techniques of the Wirraway. From official approval by the Government to proceed with the Boomerang production to the time of the first official flight was a little over sixteen weeks, a remarkable achievement by world standards.
To this day the Boomerang remains the only fully Australian designed and built fighter aircraft to see production. A total of 249 Boomerangs were built between 1942 and 1945.
Boomerang VH-MHR was meticulously restored by previous owner Matt Denning of Queensland, who began the project as a teenager - completing it 27 years later. The restored aircraft flew for the first time on 14 February 2003 and has been a popular participant at many airshows since.
Matt Denning stated that "I couldn't think of a better home for the Boomerang to go to. The Temora Aviation Museum is so professionally run and managed, is proudly Australian in its presentation of our aviation heritage, and is located in a region far from the corrosive effects of the coastline. I've had a terrific run with the operation of the Boomerang since its first post-restoration flight 3 1/2 years ago, keeping it flying for more than double the time that this aircraft was operated by the RAAF. The Boomerang can continue to honour for many generations to come the Australian men and women from the WWII era who designed, built, maintained and flew this significant product of Australian ingenuity and resourcefulness".
Temora Aviation Museum Chief Executive Kenny Love stated “The Museum is extremely fortunate to be able to acquire the Boomerang. The aircraft is in excellent condition and it is a testament to the time and effort that Matt devoted to the project. The Boomerang will be maintained in flying condition and will continue to serve as a tribute to all Veterans who worked and fought to defend Australia during WWII. I can’t wait to see it flying in formation with our two Spitfires, Lockheed Hudson and Wirraway on our September Flying Weekend. Matt will be able to continue his association with the Boomerang and fly the aircraft during Museum displays”.
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Post by planeimages on Sept 7, 2006 19:37:06 GMT 12
That explains a lot of things. It couldn't go to a better home if Matt wanted to sell the aeroplane.
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Post by Calum on Sept 7, 2006 20:35:33 GMT 12
Temora is certainily accumluating well this year, the Sabre, Spitfire and now a Boomarang. I really need to get of my butt and drive down there for an airshow.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 7, 2006 20:42:30 GMT 12
It's all those dizzy broads spending their husband's hard earned money in the Westfield shopping centres - God bless 'em.
As Mr Lowy owns so many of our malls, I wish he'd set up a NZ Flight and base some of his warbirds in this country.
Good news that the Boomerang is in a safe place at a good home.
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Post by xr6turbo1 on Sept 8, 2006 7:22:54 GMT 12
WOW thats a great addition to the collection, must get over to Australia for a look  |
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Post by Kereru on Sept 8, 2006 8:28:27 GMT 12
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Post by Kereru on Sept 8, 2006 9:01:24 GMT 12
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Post by Calum on Sept 8, 2006 9:47:21 GMT 12
They actually made 2 fighters, although the 2nd one never made it into production. Teh performance of the protoype though proved that it would likely have been the best performing piston engined fighter built. Unfortunately the Aussies were about 2-3 years to late and jets had come onto the scene. The aircraft was the CA-15. Sometimes called the Kangaroo |
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Post by corsair67 on Sept 8, 2006 11:37:47 GMT 12
This certainly is a fantastic acquisition for the museum, but in a way it is also kind of sad that Matt is giving her up as he really has put a lot of love into that Boomerang. But by the same token it is excellent that Matt will still be coming to fly his baby on the flying days. I'd recommend a visit to Temora to anyone who hasn't been before - great atmosphere at the show (usually no more than about 1500 people at each flying day - unless Hornets are visiting!), the pilots are all really friendly and don't mind answering any "silly" questions that you might have, and plus there are a some good pubs and an RSL Club to get hammered at after the show - and really, what more could anyone want in life?  The construction of the Boomerang involved many different companies, and I believe that Holden built the engines while the NSW and VIC Rail workshops also built some of the components for the aircraft too! |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 8, 2006 15:17:41 GMT 12
Something that has always puzzled me, is the colour scheme 100% accurate on that Boomerang? I ask in regards to the nickname 'Suzy Q', was that carried on a wartime aircraft? The only Suzy Q I'm aware of is the late 960's song by Creedence Clearwater Revival and other artists. Is it a modern addition to a genuine scheme (like Lodestar 'Flew The Coop')?
The Aussies built a twin engined fighter too, almost as ugly as the Kangaroo.
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Post by corsair67 on Sept 8, 2006 15:36:17 GMT 12
This information taken from Matt's website explains the background to it all - "WHY SUZY-Q?
Most people are curious as to why this name appears on the Boomerang’s side cowl. Firstly it has nothing to do with the owner’s liking or otherwise of the 70’s pop star Suzi Quatro and her musical ability. It is actually the wartime name given to Boomerang A46-122 by its assigned pilot Paul Bash who spent most of his RAAF service life with 83 Squadron.
Paul first flew Boomerangs with No.2 Operational Training Unit at Mildura, Victoria during his advanced fighter pilot training. His log book records his second Boomerang flight as diving at 420 mph which certainly had the adrenalin flowing. Shortly after completion of training and joining 83 Squadron at Strathpine Queensland he was, on the 19th September 1943 in his own remarks from his logbook "allotted beaut new kite CA13-122 my own beaut a/c Suzy-Q". Apparently Paul had seen the name on a visiting US bomber, liked it, and decided to adopt it for his own assigned aeroplane.
Some other logbook remarks from his flying in the Brisbane region in Suzy-Q show practice interception on Vultee Vengeances, practice dogfighting with a USAAF Aeronca (which was too good in turns!), collecting the tree tops over Bribie Island during practice gunnery when one cannon stopped firing and causing a wing to drop, formation flight over Brisbane for a Loan Rally, interceptions of B-24 Liberator bombers, straffing the wreck of the Rufus King with explosive ammo,etc. The most interesting entries are on the 8th November 1943 when he flew the squadrons ‘hack’, a Moth Minor A21-8, under the Story Bridge with the unit’s german shepherd mascot in the front cockpit, followed a few days later on the 11th November when he flew his Boomerang Suzy-Q UNDER the Story Bridge and proceeded to beat up downtown Brisbane on the morning of his section’s departure for the Northern Territory. Two other Boomerangs also participated in this event.
Paul spent many hours flying from bases at Gove and Milingimbi Island in A46-122 throughout the first half of 1944 locating and escorting shipping convoys in some horrendous weather conditions, often with minimal visibility in continuous showers over the open ocean. Other flights show scrambles in an attempt to intercept unidentified aircraft flying at high level over the base but with no ultimate contact made. By August 1944 it was time for the squadron to move to southern NSW and the Boomerangs were ferried to Camden. Paul spent several months at the School of Army Co-operation at Canberra, before returning to 83 Squadron, which by this time had relocated to Menangle Park south west of Sydney. His logbook shows another entry on the 26th January 1945 Old Suzy-Q back after 6 months, showing an obvious affinity that he had for A46-122. Paul also flew other Boomerangs within the squadron as well, on one occasion flying A46-129 under the Sydney Harbour Bridge .. and getting away without being reported!
Some of his last flying in A46-122 involved Navy co-op with HMS Hood and other destroyers, HMAS Hobart during a brief stint back in the Brisbane region, co-op with Catalina flying boats and mock dogfights with Royal Navy Fireflies and Hellcats. His last flight in “Suzy-Q” was recorded on the 23 March 1945 when he flew her in formation with other 83 Squadron Boomerangs for a Sydney Loan Rally. By the end of that month Suzy-Q had been ferried to No.6 Aircraft Depot at Oakey, QLD for her final flight ( final at least for the next 58 years!)." The website is - www.boomerang-flight.com/indexf.htm |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 8, 2006 16:50:12 GMT 12
Amazing, thanks Craig. So there was also an American bomber of that name. Cool.
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Post by planeimages on Sept 8, 2006 18:28:23 GMT 12
A photographic tribute to Matt Denning and his Boomerang.  Matt starts the Boomerang for a display at Temora October 2005   Take off at Temora  In formation with Spitfire and Hudson over Temora  Almost back on the deck. Matt reaches out with the starboard wheel on landing after a display at Temora  The price of fame. Adoring fans. Temora Aviation Museum has an apron walk for the crowd at the end of each day’s flying.   Boomerang canon detail  Close up of Canon.  Machine gun ports give distinctive note in flight.  Pitot tube. Cranked to remove position error?  My what a big fan you have.  Underwing detail. No red dots in the centre to avoid misidentification by friendlies.  Cowl flaps open  Matt receives a calendar from Glenn  More fans to meet  Matt poses for the camera on the Boomerang’s wing at Temora  The camouflage changes colour in different light  And this is the office  Beautifully-restored instrument panel  Matt scans the skies for a Zero  One step backwards……oops.  One small step…  Matt and Simone chat with David Lowy, Lars Larsen and friends  Simone and Matt with the Boomerang  David Lowy AM, with Matt and Simone and the Boomerang. |
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AJ
Flight Sergeant
Posts: 28
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Post by AJ on Sept 8, 2006 20:35:03 GMT 12
Great photos! Good to see it go to Termora where she will be well looked after.
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Post by planeimages on Sept 8, 2006 21:09:34 GMT 12
I wouldn't be surprised to see Matt still doing the flying. He has a great relationship with the museum.
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Post by yak2 on Sept 8, 2006 23:50:28 GMT 12
Gee Dave, I think you must have had a dose of angry pills. First you slam Steve Irwin, and follow this up by bagging the CA15! Only one prototype of the Kangaroo was built, and the end result was compromised with the intended aircooled radial being substituted with an imported Griffon. A Rolls Royce engineer at the time reputedly claimed it was the best Griffon installation he had seen. As a long range interceptor, the numbers were quite impressive. However the end of the war and emergence of jet turbines, meant that it was not developed as a type. Not the prettiest aircraft, but in the history of aviation a number of ugly protypes have subsequently turned out OK. The Corsair is one example. Not sure about a twin engined fighter Dave, but CAC developed the Woomera as a light/torpedo bomber. It incorporated a number of interesting features including remote controlled guns in the engine nacelles for rear defensive armament. This apparently caused tailplane flutter which was eliminated by increasing tailplane dihedral. I think around 10 were built before priorities changed in favour of other types. CAC was very innovative and part owned by BHP and Rolls Royce. The latter company's interest being the local manufacture under licence of the Merlin ( for the Mustang and Lincoln) and later the Avon (Sabre and Canberra). Prior to this they had produced Pratt & Whitney engines for the Wirraway, Boomerang and Beaufort. They also developed the Cicada, a small (450 HP)aircooled radial engine intended to power the Winjeel, but it was never put into production either, and finally built SNECMA Atar under licence for the Mirage. Their aircraft designs that never proceeded included a supersonic interceptor similar to the English Electric Lightning, but with side by side engines, and a swing wing supersonic trainer, the mockup of which resides in the Ballarat Air museum. CAC shared the Fishermans Bend airfield during WW2 with the Department of Aircraft Production (Beauforts and Beaufighters), which became Government Aircraft Factory ( Lincolns, Canberra's, Mirages, Jindiviks and Nomads). The airfield closed in the 1950's, and lies beneath what is now the southern part of the Westgate Bridge. GAF became ASTA (F/A 18's), and then sold off to become a major Boeing plant.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 9, 2006 0:37:11 GMT 12
Gee Dave, I think you must have had a dose of angry pills. First you slam Steve Irwin, and follow this up by bagging the CA15! But the CA-15 is ugly, just look at it. Like a deformed Mustang. Impressive, awesome, amazing, YES. Yet ugly. Just like the Vildebeest.  Not the prettiest aircraft, but in the history of aviation a number of ugly protypes have subsequently turned out OK. The Corsair is one example. I agree. I have no qualms with it being a potentially effective fighter or that it's figures were good on paper. I'm sure it would have acquitted itself very well if put into production. Not sure about a twin engined fighter Dave, but CAC developed the Woomera as a light/torpedo bomber. Yes, you have me there, I was confusing myself between the Woomera and a totally different aircraft in image my head, which was British. So not a twin Aussie fighter, sorry. |
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Post by yak2 on Sept 9, 2006 11:12:03 GMT 12
It was not just good on paper. Its demonstrated performance was superior to most first generation jet aircraft. Top speed was over 500 mph, with a range of 2400 miles. If it had been fitted with the P&W R2800 as planned, the extra 300 HP over the Griffon possibly would have further improved these numbers. Too bad it was scrapped. There was a CA 15 fuselage frame on display in the Aviation Department of the RMIT in the 1970's, but that may not have been from the prototype. Also at RMIT at that time was the NA P51D used as the pattern aircraft for local manufacture. It was still on its gear and apparently had very few flying hours, but to save space some little treasure had decided to cut the outer wings off! Where is it now? Vildebeest......that is one great looking machine!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 9, 2006 12:29:40 GMT 12
"Vildebeest......that is one great looking machine! "
Yay, we agree on something! Milions wouldn't on this issue but we know they have no taste in aircraft.
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Post by yak2 on Sept 9, 2006 12:55:53 GMT 12
Great idea for a new thread Dave. Nominate the most ugly aircraft with an Oz/NZ connection. You kick it off, but only include the CA15 and/or Woomera at great personal risk!
Rob
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