Difference between revisions of "Boomerang Mk I (Great Britain)"

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{{Specs-Card|code=boomerang_mki}}
+
{{About
 +
| about = premium British fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = the other version
 +
| link = Boomerang Mk II (Great Britain)
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=boomerang_mki
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} British fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. This variant of the Boomerang represents a version which was designed and manufactured in Australia.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
−
=== Flight Performance ===
+
=== Flight performance ===
−
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 +
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 5,100 m)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 +
|-
 +
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 +
|-
 +
! Stock
 +
| 472 || 456 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 23.2 || 23.9 || 12.1 || 12.0 || rowspan="2" | 273
 +
|-
 +
! Upgraded
 +
| 513 || 491 || 21.4 || 22.3 || 18.2 || 14.9
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Details ====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | Features
 +
|-
 +
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
 +
|-
 +
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | Limits
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
 +
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 +
|-
 +
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 +
|-
 +
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 487 || 445 || 225 || ~12 || ~9
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
 +
|-
 +
| < 380 || < 370 || < 340 || > 323
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
 +
|-
 +
! Optimal altitude
 +
! 100% Engine power
 +
! WEP Engine power
 +
|-
 +
| 1,990 m || 1,100 hp || 1,188 hp
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Armour plates
 +
 
 +
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot.
 +
* 12.7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot, with 3 mm steel plate flaps around it.
 +
* 3 mm pentagonal steel box around the central fuel tank.
  
−
== Weaponry ==
+
;Fuel tanks (self-sealing)
−
=== Offensive weaponry ===
 
−
''Describe the offensive weaponry of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''
 
  
−
=== Suspended weaponry ===
+
* 1 behind the pilot
−
''Describe the aircraft's suspended weapons: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
* 1 in each wing's root (2 total)
  
−
=== Defensive weaponry ===
+
=== Modifications and economy ===
−
''Defensive weaponry with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.''
+
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
== Armaments ==
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 +
=== Offensive armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 +
{{main|Hispano Mk.II (20 mm)|Browning (7.7 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 +
 
 +
* 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, wing-mounted (60 rpg = 120 total)
 +
* 4 x 7.7 mm Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (1,000 rpg = 4,000 total)
 +
 
 +
== Usage in battles ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 +
 
 +
The Mk I Boomerang is not very fast for a fighter for its BR at roughly 460 km/h at sea level '''with WEP''', and it loses power very quickly starting at an altitude of 4,000 meters due to a lack of a supercharged engine. From this, it would be thought that the Boomerang isn't much of a capable fighter, as many of its opponents are capable of reaching 500 km/h at any altitude. Despite this, the Boomerang makes up for this as it possesses great manoeuvrability due to its good roll rate and decent Power/Weight ratio. However, Boom and Zoom tactics are also possible with the Boomerang if an altitude advantage is present, as its decent rip speed, lack of rudder-stiffness at high speed and good rate of climb allows it to make passes on any enemies unfortunate enough to be underneath it.
 +
 
 +
Therefore, the Boomerang is best played in a turn-fighting role, almost (though not to the same extent) as a British A6M, as even though the statistics claim a rather average turn time, at low altitude it is a turning-monster, capable of competing with even some Japanese fighters.
 +
 
 +
The armament of the Boomerang is also quite acceptable for its rank, with 2 x 20 mm Hispano cannons and 4 x 7.7 mm Browning machine guns, though the ammo of the Hispanos is rather limited at 120. On the other hand, the Browning's possesses 4000 ammo, which allows the Boomerang to stay in the air for extensive periods of time. Furthermore, this significant amount of Browning ammo can be used with marked success in a ground pounding role in Air RB matches, mirroring its success in this role in the Pacific theatre.
 +
 
 +
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
 +
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
 +
! colspan="3" | Radiator
 +
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
 +
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
 +
|-
 +
! Oil !! Water !! Type
 +
|-
 +
| Controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Separate || Controllable<br>2 gears || Not controllable
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Tight turn radius and good roll rate at low altitude
 +
* A large amount of secondary machine gun ammunition (4,000 rounds)
 +
* Large choice of ammo belts for both the cannons and machine guns
 +
* Decent climb rate
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* Poor performance at higher altitudes, most notably above 4,000 meters
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/index.php?title=Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
* Mediocre speed for a fighter aircraft (even for Rank II)
 +
* Sub-par acceleration above 300 km/h
 +
* Airframe causes aircraft to lose speed quickly in turns
 +
* Cannons only have 60 rounds in each gun (120 total)
 +
* Overheats very quickly when using WEP
 +
 
 +
== History ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
The Boomerang Mk I is the first variant of the CAC Boomerang, a fighter aircraft developed by Australia's Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Designed to equip the RAAF after the start of the Second World War, the aircraft was the first indigenously-built Australian fighter aircraft. The Boomerang was very underpowered due to the limited engine choices, meaning that it was considerably slower than its contemporaries. The aircraft saw limited active service during the Second World War in both frontline and secondary duties.
 +
 
 +
In the late 1930s, with Nazi Germany and Japan both rapidly increasing the size of their militaries, the Australian Air Force (RAAF) looked to acquire a new fighter aircraft to replace their obsolete squadrons of F2A Buffalos. Following the start of the war, the RAAF was hard-pressed for fighters: the UK, Australia's primary source for aircraft, was barely supplying enough aircraft for itself, while the USA dedicated almost all of its manufacturing capacity to producing aircraft for the USAAF and USN. As a result, Australia was forced to produce a new fighter indigenously.
 +
 
 +
The RAAF turned to the CAC, which had been created in 1936 through the merger of several Australian aircraft companies. The CAC was already producing the Wirraway, a training and general-purpose aircraft; the CAC decided to create a new fighter on the basis of the Wirraway, as this could be done quickly and efficiently. The Wirraway's rear fuselage, tail and wings were mated to a new forward fuselage which housed a 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney twin wasp engine. This prototype configuration first flew in May of 1942 and was later ordered into service as the Boomerang Mark I (contract number CA-12) - a total of 105 Boomerang Mk Is would be built during the war.
 +
 
 +
In service, the Boomerang proved to be very underpowered and much slower than most comparable allied fighters. In fact, the Boomerang never shot down a single enemy aircraft. The Boomerang proved to be more effective as a ground attack aircraft, replacing the lighter-armed Wirraway in this role: it was frequently used to drop ordnance or strafe enemy targets, or deploy smoke bombs to mark enemy targets. The Boomerang was retired soon after the war's end; five Boomerang Mk Is remain intact today, including two currently-airworthy aircraft.
 +
 
 +
{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
The CAC Boomerang was an Australian single-seat, single-engine fighter of mixed wood and aluminium construction.
 +
 
 +
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941 and subsequent events in the Pacific theatre of operations showed how unready Australia was for war. The country had fewer than two hundred military aircraft, most of them obsolete. At that time, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) only produced a trainer, the CAC Wirraway (a licensed version of the American NA-33). The License Agreement provided for modifications, so, in order to have fighter aircraft as soon as possible, the CAC decided to use the trainer as a basis for a new fighter.
 +
 
 +
The CA-12 (later called the Boomerang Mk.I) was created, the first domestically produced fighter to ever roll off Australian assembly lines. The CA-12 borrowed the Wirraway's landing gear, tail, and wing design and was powered by a license built American Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp engine, rated at 1,200 hp. The aircraft was armed with two 20 mm Hispano cannon and four 0.303 inch Browning machine guns and could carry four 9kg smoke bombs to mark targets, one 227kg bomb, or a 265 litre external fuel tank.
 +
 
 +
The CA-12 had high durability, good armament, and excellent handling characteristics at low level, although this performance deteriorated at height and the fighter's top speed was not at all competitive.
 +
 
 +
Mass production began in July 1942 and 105 Boomerang Mk I fighters were produced.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''Прекрасным дополнением к статье станут видеогайды, а также скриншоты из игры и фотографии.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=boomerang_mki Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|mJO2sLI_jwU|'''The Shooting Range #19''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 00:46 discusses the CAC Boomerang.}}
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
  
−
== Read also ==
 
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
 
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
−
''ETC.''
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
+
 
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/195733-commonwealth-aircraft-corporation-boomerang-mk-i/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
 +
 
 +
{{AirManufacturer Commonwealth}}
 +
{{Britain fighters}}
 +
{{Britain premium aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 06:40, 7 December 2022

This page is about the premium British fighter Boomerang Mk I (Great Britain). For the other version, see Boomerang Mk II (Great Britain).
▄Boomerang Mk I
boomerang_mki.png
GarageImage Boomerang Mk I (Great Britain).jpg
▄Boomerang Mk I
Britain flag.png Britain
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
3.3 3.0 2.7
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:1 150 Specs-Card-Eagle.png
Show in game

Description

The ▄Boomerang Mk I is a premium rank II British fighter with a battle rating of 3.3 (AB), 3.0 (RB), and 2.7 (SB). It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. This variant of the Boomerang represents a version which was designed and manufactured in Australia.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 5 100 m491 km/h
Turn time22 s
Max altitude10 356 m
EnginePratt & Whitney S3C4-G
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight4 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 5,100 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 472 456 10356 23.2 23.9 12.1 12.0 273
Upgraded 513 491 21.4 22.3 18.2 14.9

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
660 320 487 445 225 ~12 ~9
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 380 < 370 < 340 > 323
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
1,990 m 1,100 hp 1,188 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural660 km/h
Gear320 km/h
Armour plates
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of the pilot.
  • 12.7 mm Steel plate behind the pilot, with 3 mm steel plate flaps around it.
  • 3 mm pentagonal steel box around the central fuel tank.
Fuel tanks (self-sealing)
  • 1 behind the pilot
  • 1 in each wing's root (2 total)

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB844 Sl icon.png
RB4 754 Sl icon.png
SB1 379 Sl icon.png
Crew training6 900 Sl icon.png
Experts46 000 Sl icon.png
Aces320 Ge icon.png
Research Aces500 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 50 / 200 / 240 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 130 / 130 / 130 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Mods engine extinguisher.png
EFS
Mods ammo.png
bmg303_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg303_new_gun
Mods ammo.png
hispano_belt_pack
Mod arrow right 0.png
Mods gun camora mod.png
Mk.II year 1943

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 12 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannon
Ammunition120 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min
Weapon 24 x 7.7 mm Browning machine gun
Ammunition4 000 rounds
Fire rate1 000 shots/min
Main articles: Hispano Mk.II (20 mm), Browning (7.7 mm)

The Boomerang Mk I (Great Britain) is armed with:

  • 2 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons, wing-mounted (60 rpg = 120 total)
  • 4 x 7.7 mm Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (1,000 rpg = 4,000 total)

Usage in battles

The Mk I Boomerang is not very fast for a fighter for its BR at roughly 460 km/h at sea level with WEP, and it loses power very quickly starting at an altitude of 4,000 meters due to a lack of a supercharged engine. From this, it would be thought that the Boomerang isn't much of a capable fighter, as many of its opponents are capable of reaching 500 km/h at any altitude. Despite this, the Boomerang makes up for this as it possesses great manoeuvrability due to its good roll rate and decent Power/Weight ratio. However, Boom and Zoom tactics are also possible with the Boomerang if an altitude advantage is present, as its decent rip speed, lack of rudder-stiffness at high speed and good rate of climb allows it to make passes on any enemies unfortunate enough to be underneath it.

Therefore, the Boomerang is best played in a turn-fighting role, almost (though not to the same extent) as a British A6M, as even though the statistics claim a rather average turn time, at low altitude it is a turning-monster, capable of competing with even some Japanese fighters.

The armament of the Boomerang is also quite acceptable for its rank, with 2 x 20 mm Hispano cannons and 4 x 7.7 mm Browning machine guns, though the ammo of the Hispanos is rather limited at 120. On the other hand, the Browning's possesses 4000 ammo, which allows the Boomerang to stay in the air for extensive periods of time. Furthermore, this significant amount of Browning ammo can be used with marked success in a ground pounding role in Air RB matches, mirroring its success in this role in the Pacific theatre.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Separate Controllable
2 gears 		Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Tight turn radius and good roll rate at low altitude
  • A large amount of secondary machine gun ammunition (4,000 rounds)
  • Large choice of ammo belts for both the cannons and machine guns
  • Decent climb rate

Cons:

  • Poor performance at higher altitudes, most notably above 4,000 meters
  • Mediocre speed for a fighter aircraft (even for Rank II)
  • Sub-par acceleration above 300 km/h
  • Airframe causes aircraft to lose speed quickly in turns
  • Cannons only have 60 rounds in each gun (120 total)
  • Overheats very quickly when using WEP

History

The Boomerang Mk I is the first variant of the CAC Boomerang, a fighter aircraft developed by Australia's Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC). Designed to equip the RAAF after the start of the Second World War, the aircraft was the first indigenously-built Australian fighter aircraft. The Boomerang was very underpowered due to the limited engine choices, meaning that it was considerably slower than its contemporaries. The aircraft saw limited active service during the Second World War in both frontline and secondary duties.

In the late 1930s, with Nazi Germany and Japan both rapidly increasing the size of their militaries, the Australian Air Force (RAAF) looked to acquire a new fighter aircraft to replace their obsolete squadrons of F2A Buffalos. Following the start of the war, the RAAF was hard-pressed for fighters: the UK, Australia's primary source for aircraft, was barely supplying enough aircraft for itself, while the USA dedicated almost all of its manufacturing capacity to producing aircraft for the USAAF and USN. As a result, Australia was forced to produce a new fighter indigenously.

The RAAF turned to the CAC, which had been created in 1936 through the merger of several Australian aircraft companies. The CAC was already producing the Wirraway, a training and general-purpose aircraft; the CAC decided to create a new fighter on the basis of the Wirraway, as this could be done quickly and efficiently. The Wirraway's rear fuselage, tail and wings were mated to a new forward fuselage which housed a 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney twin wasp engine. This prototype configuration first flew in May of 1942 and was later ordered into service as the Boomerang Mark I (contract number CA-12) - a total of 105 Boomerang Mk Is would be built during the war.

In service, the Boomerang proved to be very underpowered and much slower than most comparable allied fighters. In fact, the Boomerang never shot down a single enemy aircraft. The Boomerang proved to be more effective as a ground attack aircraft, replacing the lighter-armed Wirraway in this role: it was frequently used to drop ordnance or strafe enemy targets, or deploy smoke bombs to mark enemy targets. The Boomerang was retired soon after the war's end; five Boomerang Mk Is remain intact today, including two currently-airworthy aircraft.


Archive of the in-game description

The CAC Boomerang was an Australian single-seat, single-engine fighter of mixed wood and aluminium construction.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941 and subsequent events in the Pacific theatre of operations showed how unready Australia was for war. The country had fewer than two hundred military aircraft, most of them obsolete. At that time, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) only produced a trainer, the CAC Wirraway (a licensed version of the American NA-33). The License Agreement provided for modifications, so, in order to have fighter aircraft as soon as possible, the CAC decided to use the trainer as a basis for a new fighter.

The CA-12 (later called the Boomerang Mk.I) was created, the first domestically produced fighter to ever roll off Australian assembly lines. The CA-12 borrowed the Wirraway's landing gear, tail, and wing design and was powered by a license built American Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp engine, rated at 1,200 hp. The aircraft was armed with two 20 mm Hispano cannon and four 0.303 inch Browning machine guns and could carry four 9kg smoke bombs to mark targets, one 227kg bomb, or a 265 litre external fuel tank.

The CA-12 had high durability, good armament, and excellent handling characteristics at low level, although this performance deteriorated at height and the fighter's top speed was not at all competitive.

Mass production began in July 1942 and 105 Boomerang Mk I fighters were produced.


Media

Skins
Videos
The Shooting Range #19 - Pages of History section at 00:46 discusses the CAC Boomerang.

See also

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  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
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External links


Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC)
Attackers  ▄Wirraway
Fighters  ▄Boomerang Mk I · ▄Boomerang Mk II

Britain fighters
Fury  Fury Mk I · Fury Mk II
Nimrod  Nimrod Mk I · Nimrod Mk II
Gladiator  Gladiator Mk II · Tuck's Gladiator Mk II · Gladiator Mk IIF · Gladiator Mk IIS
Sea Gladiator  Sea Gladiator Mk I
Hurricane  Hurricane Mk I/L · Hurricane Mk.I/L FAA M · Hurricane Mk IIB/Trop
Sea Hurricane  Sea Hurricane Mk IB · Sea Hurricane Mk IC
Martin-Baker  MB.5
Spitfire (early-Merlin)  Spitfire Mk Ia · Spitfire Mk IIa · Spitfire Mk.IIa Venture I · Spitfire Mk IIb · Spitfire Mk Vb/trop · Spitfire Mk Vb · Spitfire Mk Vc/trop · Spitfire Mk Vc
Spitfire (late-Merlin)  Spitfire F Mk IX · Spitfire LF Mk IX · Spitfire F Mk IXc · Plagis' Spitfire LF Mk IXc · Spitfire F Mk XVI
Spitfire (Griffon)  Spitfire F Mk XIVc · Spitfire F Mk XIVe · Prendergast's Spitfire FR Mk XIVe · Spitfire F Mk XVIIIe · Spitfire F Mk 22 · Spitfire F Mk 24
Seafire  Seafire LF Mk.III · Seafire F Mk XVII · Seafire FR 47
Typhoon  Typhoon Mk Ia · Typhoon Mk Ib · Typhoon Mk Ib/L
Tempest  Tempest Mk II · Tempest Mk V
Sea Fury  Sea Fury FB 11
Twin-engine fighters  Hornet Mk.I · Hornet Mk.III · Whirlwind Mk I · Whirlwind P.9
  Foreign:
Australia  ▄Boomerang Mk I · ▄Boomerang Mk II
France  ▄D.520 · ▄D.521
USA  ▄Martlet Mk IV · ▄Corsair F Mk II · ▄Hellcat Mk II · ▄Thunderbolt Mk.1 · ▄Mustang Mk IA

Britain premium aircraft
Fighters  Tuck's Gladiator Mk II · ▄Boomerang Mk I · ▄Boomerang Mk II · ▄D.520
  ▄Martlet Mk IV · ▄Corsair F Mk II · ▄Hellcat Mk II · ▄Thunderbolt Mk.1 · ▄Mustang Mk IA
  Hurricane Mk.I/L FAA M · Spitfire Mk.IIa Venture I · Spitfire F Mk IXc · Plagis' Spitfire LF Mk IXc · Spitfire F Mk XIVc · Prendergast's Spitfire FR Mk XIVe
  Typhoon Mk Ib · MB.5
Twin-engine fighters  Hornet Mk.I · Whirlwind P.9
Jet fighters  Attacker FB.2 · Hunter FGA.9 · Lightning F.53 · Meteor F Mk.8 Reaper · Sea Vixen F.A.W. Mk.2 · F-4J(UK) Phantom II · ▄MiG-21 Bison
Strike aircraft  ▄Wirraway · Beaufighter Mk I (40-mm) · Wyvern S4
  Harrier GR.1 · Strikemaster Mk.88
Bombers  ▄Avenger Mk II · ▄Boston Mk I · ▄Catalina Mk IIIa · ▄DB-7 · ▄Havoc Mk I · ▄Hudson Mk V · Swordfish Mk II

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