Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation photo album [PRG 247/143] • Photograph
CA-4 A23-1001 Woomera.
The fuselage and engines of the CA-4 A23-1001 CAC Woomera, a three-seat strike-reconaissance and dive-bomber, under construction at the CAC factories in Fishermans Bend.
CA-4 A23-1001 Woomera.
Front view of the CA-4 A23-1001 CAC Woomera, prototype of a three-seat strike-reconaissance and dive-bomber, completed and ready for testing at the CAC factories in Fishermans Bend, Victoria.
CA-4 A23-1001 Woomera.
Three-quarter front view of the CA-4 A23-1001 CAC Woomera, prototype of a three-seat strike-reconaissance and dive-bomber, completed and ready for testing at the CAC factories in Fishermans Bend, Victoria.
CA-11 A23-1 Woomera.
Rear view of the CA-11 A23-1 CAC Woomera, a three-seat strike-reconnaissance and dive-bomber, under construction in the factories of the CAC in Fishermans Bend, with desks and offices visible in bottom right corner. The extended canopy and moulded perspex sighting turret, where the gunner would sit to operate the remotely-controlled rear nacelle guns, are visible and are additions to the C-11, differing from the original design of the CA-4 A23-1001 prototype of the Woomera. The A23-1 aircraft was delivered to the RAAF in November 1944 after extensive testing by the CAC, but by this time American bombers were in plentify supply and further production of the Woomera was discontinued, and in 1946 approval was granted for the A23-1 to be converted to parts. The single engine fighter aircraft in the background are CA-12 Boomerang aircraft under construction.
CA-11 A23-1 Woomera.
Front view of the CA-11 A23-1 CAC Woomera, a three-seat strike-reconaissance and dive-bomber, completed and ready for testing at the factories of the CAC in Fishermans Bend. Under the wing are two fuel drop tanks or possibly dummy bombs, and the improved nose armament is clearly visible, differing from the original design of the CA-4 A23-1001 prototype of the Woomera.
CA-4 A23-1001 Woomera.
Front view of the CA-4 A23-1001 CAC Woomera, prototype of a three-seat strike-reconaissance and dive-bomber, completed and ready for testing in a hangar at the CAC factories in Fishermans Bend, Victoria.
A46 CAC Boomerang.
Employees working on an A46 CAC Boomerang quarantined for inspection at the CAC factories. After Japan entered WWII in December 1941 the Boomerang, the first single-seat interceptor and ground-attack fighter aircraft designed and built in Australia, intended for home defence, was ordered for production in February 1942. The first test flight occurred in May 1942 and a total of 250 Boomerangs were built, being delivered to the RAAF from July 1942 to February 1945. Boomerangs were eventually replaced by Kittyhawks and Spitfires.
A46 CAC Boomerang.
Close-up view of the front of a completed CAC Boomerang at the CAC factories, Fishermans Bend.
A46 CAC Boomerang.
Rear view of a completed CAC Boomerang at the CAC factories, Fishermans Bend.
CAC aircraft under construction.
Men working on the Wirraway production line, attaching the wings to the fuselage, with CA-6 Wackett Trainers in the background.
A46 CAC Boomerangs under construction.
Employees working on CAC Boomerangs in the CAC factories, Fishermans Bend.
Motor of a CAC aircraft.
Close-up view of the motor and engine installation details for the CA-4 Wackett Bomber aircraft, at the CAC factories, Fishermans Bend.
A46 CAC Boomerang.
Three-quarter front view of a CAC Boomerang in a hangar at the CAC factories, Fishermans Bend.
CA-12 A46 CAC Boomerangs.
Employees working on five CAC Boomerangs in a row at the CAC airfield in Fishermans Bend, awaiting their propeller spinners. The aircraft second from the right is CA-12 A46-5, construction number 828, which was delivered to the RAAF in October 1942. The aircraft suffered extensive damage while running into a building at the end of a landing run in January 1943 and approval to convernt to components was given in April 1944. The other planes depicted are also likely to be CA-12 types, possibly A46-6, 7, 8 and 9, which were also delivered to the RAAF in October 1942.
CA-12 A46 CAC Boomerangs.
Five CAC Boomerangs in a row at the CAC airfield in Fishermans Bend, awaiting their propeller spinners. The aircraft second from the right is CA-12 A46-5, construction number 828, which was delivered to the RAAF in October 1942. The aircraft suffered extensive damage while running into a building at the end of a landing run in January 1943 and approval to convernt to components was given in April 1944. The other planes depicted are also likely to be CA-12 types, possibly A46-6,7,8 and 9, which were also delivered to the RAAF in October 1942.
A46 CAC Boomerangs.
Eight CAC Boomerangs at the CAC airfield in Fishermans Bend, most awaiting their propeller spinners. Half way down the right side the CA-11 A23 CAC Woomera is visible in the far background.
A46 CAC Boomerang.
One man in the cockpit and another standing on the wing of an A46 CAC Boomerang with the propeller in motion, on the airfield at the CAC factories, Fishemans Bend.
A46 CAC Boomerang.
Greg Board, CAC test Pilot in the cockpit of an A46 CAC Boomerang preparing for take-off for a test flight at the CAC airfield, Fishermans Bend. The propeller is in motion.
A46 CAC Boomerang taking off.
A46 CAC Boomerang taking off at the CAC airfield, Fishermans Bend for a test flight. The engine is under full power.
CA-13 A46-163 CAC Boomerang in flight.
The CA-13 A46-163 CAC Boomerang in flight by test pilot Greg Board, wearing his characteristic white flying suit. A46-163 was delivered to the RAAF in December 1943, served with 5 Squadron and was converted to components in January 1946.
CA-12 A46 CAC Boomerangs in formation.
Six CA-12 A46 CAC Boomerangs flying in formation. A46-47 was delivered to the RAAF in March 1943, served with 83 Squadron and No. 2 (Fighter) Operational Training Until (No. 2 OTU), and was cannibalized to repair A46-100 and A46-146. A46-10 was delivered to the RAAF in November 1942, and served with No. 2, 1 and 8 OTU. A46-8 was delivered to the RAAF in October 1942, and served with No. 2 and 1 OTU. A46-13 was delivered to the RAAF in November 1942, served with No. 2 OTU, and after being involved in a number of accidents, approval was given to convert to components in November 1943. A46-14 was delivered to the RAAF in November 1942, served with No. 2 OTU, and was involved in a mid-air collision with A46-44 over Cullulleraine, Victoria, destroying the aircraft and killing one of the pilots. A46-36 was delivered to the RAAF in February 1943, served with No.2 and 8 OTU, and on 7 December 1944 was involved in a mid-air collision with A46-32 while both were carrying out section combat exercises near Parkes, NSW, killing one of the pilots.
CA-13 A46-163 CAC Boomering in flight.
The CA-13 A46-163 CAC Boomerang in flight over land. A46-163 was delivered to the RAAF in December 1943, served with 5 Squadron and was converted to components in January 1946.
Employees of the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation with the last CAC Boomerang.
Group photo of employees of the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation gathered around the final Boomerang built by the CAC, CA-19 A46-249, at the CAC factories in Fishermans Bend, Victoria. One of the employees standing on the right wing of the aircraft is holding a flag that reads 'This is IT' with a picture of an Aboriginal Boomerang across the top. A46-249 was delivered to the RAAF in February 1945 and issued to the Department of Aircraft Production (DAP).
CA-12 A46 CAC Boomerangs.
Five CAC Boomerangs in a row at the CAC airfield in Fishermans Bend, awaiting their propeller spinners. The aircraft second from the right is CA-12 A46-5, which was delivered to the RAAF in October 1942. The aircraft suffered extensive damage while running into a building at the end of a landing run in January 1943 and approval to convernt to components was given in April 1944. The other planes depicted are also likely to be CA-12 types, possibly A46-6,7,8 and 9, which were also delivered to the RAAF in October 1942.
CA-14 CAC Boomerang.
Front view of an CA-14 CAC Boomerang turbo supercharged version,at the airfield of the CAC factories, Fishermans Bend.
A46 CAC Boomerang.
Employees making repairs on an A46 CAC Boomerang at the airfield of the CAC factories in Fishermans Bend. According to a researcher, this is a CA14 Boomerang showing the exhaust driven turbo charger in the rear of the fuselage.
Pilot of an A46 CAC Boomerang.
Pilot climbing into the cockpit of a CA-14 Boomerang turbo charged version, for a test flight at the CAC airfield, Fishermans Bend. It is characterised by the large air intake for the turbo charger just behind the cockpit.
A46 CAC Boomerang take-off.
An A46 CAC Boomerang about to take off at the CAC airfield, Fishermans Bend. According to a researcher, this aircraft is a CA14 Boomerang which is the turbo charged version. Only one was built.
A46 CAC Boomerang propeller.
Close up view of the propeller of an A46 CAC Boomerang on the airfield at the CAC factories, Fishermans Bend. According to a researcher, this photo shows the experimental 10 bladed cooling fan of the CA14 Boomerang. It rotates at 3 times the speed of the propeller by way of epicycle gearing.
A68 Mustang in flight.
An A68 CAC Mustang in flight. In 1943 the Australian government arranged for the CAC to manufacture the Mustang Mk IV (P-51D), an American fighter aircraft. The first CAC Mustangs were built mainly from imported parts, and while 200 Mustangs were produced, it was April 1945 before the first Australian production Mustang was flown, and thus the RAAF Mustangs were not used during WWII but were assigned to Japan for occupation duties in 1946, and some took part in the Korean War from June 1950 until April 1951.