Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Boomerang Restoration

A46-1 under production. Note the straight overturn truss that featured on the first 5 aircraft. From the 6th aircraft the overturn truss bent downward to the rear. Aircraft also has smooth tyres that were replace with treaded tyres due to landing braking problems on grass strips. Frame tubes thicker walled and larger diameter than Wirraway frame tubes.

A46-1 has work on the altered leading edge prior to fitting the tube frame to the mounting bolts. Whilst the rear bolt pickups are in the same position as the Wirraway, the front ones are forward of the spar where the Wirraway are rear of the spar.

A46-1: Proto-typing the wooden covering frame work and radio shack shapes. P&W R1830-90B (later CAC built S3C4G equivalent) engine installation under way.

A46-1: Poor quality photo showing the fabrication of the wooden covering, with the radio shack forward metal bow in place. The corrugations on the wing centre section are actually anti slip mats. Wheels have been retracted.

A46-1 trialling the installation of the exhaust extractor system, before the installation of the exhaust dish pan assembly. A pattern of the radio shack "D" mould has been installed to check shaping prior to manufacture of metal panels. Behind A46-1 is the frame of the second aircraft with fin and stabilisers fitted. Another wooden covering is inverted in a cradle behind this. The structure to the top right is a jig for the construction of the wooden covering.

Further shot of A46-1. The second aircraft A46-2 is now beside #1 to the top right.

Boomerang carby cowl under experimental fitting. This the early version that had the intake inside the front cowl ring. Later changed to sit on top of the ring.

Boomerang cowl discussion into the later version carby scoop. Note the highly technical anti-tilt timber under the prop shaft.

A46-1 in advanced stage of build. Note the early roundels on fuselage side and under wing, three colour fin flashes and the protruding lower oil cooler scoop. Carby scoop now more prominent. No Spinner fitted.

A46-1: Note the centre flipper doors for the undercarriage. These were deleted in future production.

A46-1 Boomerang during construction. Oxygen door at roundel and hydraulics door beside technician.

Poor quality photo of A46-1 taken at same time. The 'A1' shown on the fin was a factory batch code, the letter indicating the month batch and the number indicating which aircraft within that monthly batch.

A46-1 from the rear whilst under construction. In original photo test pilot Ken Frewin stands in front of the port gun bay pointing at the front of the aircraft. A 23 year old Alan Bolton (Design Engineer) is directly under the port stabiliser tip. Ironically a Hudson is in the photo. The Hudson engine cowling were used as the design for the Boomerang cowls as both aircraft used P&W R1830 engines.

A46-1 having camouflage paint applied to newly fitted cannon shroud.

A46-1 having paint applied to cannon shroud.

A46-1 Boomerang having camouflage paint applied.

A46-1 having paint applied. Outer wings not yet fitted. Centre section still suspended on cables. Technician well into Oxygen door.

A46-1 Boomerang. More paint please. Aircraft still suspended on cables.

A46-1 prepared for outer wing installation. The undercarriage out rigger and hydraulic ram are in place. Centre section suspended on cables.

Poor quality photo of A46-1 slung on cables from the centre section lifting points the main undercarriage mounting blocks, for trialling retract tests. A hydraulic pump is on the right side with lines leading into the hydraulic system to allow ground cycling. Wheels are retracted. No Spinner/backing plate is installed as early in service these were not included and were introduced later. The early lower oil cooler scoop is prominent.

A46-1 being rolled outside for engine run tests. Note early oil cooler scoop and undercarriage flipper doors. No spinner at this time. Smooth profile tyres in use.

A46-1 Boomerang being towed out for engine run tests. Typical raining Melbourne day.

A46-1 Boomerang being readied for engine run. RAAF pilot inspects aircraft prior to running the engine. Note the early 'flat' exhaust. Flipper doors visible.

A46-1 Boomerang with engine running. Note early 'flat' exhaust.

A46-1 rolled outside. Note the early flat exhaust with the flame damper flutes, the Yellow/blue/white/red fuselage roundel typical of British fighters of that time.

Poor quality photo of A46-1 with the wooden fuselage covering removed for work on internal components. Note the main 70 gallon fuel tank filler pipe protruding upward to the rear. This is attached to an opening in the wooden covering behind the radio shack that's installed over the top of the overturn truss. A spinner is now included. Still features early roundel under wing and fin flash. The CAC bird has been applied to the rudder.

A46-1 Boomerang started up by test pilot Ken Frewin prior to initial test flight. Note the undercarriage flipper doors and early lower oil cooler scoop.

A46-1 Boomerang being readied for test flight.

A46-1 Boomerang taxies out for first flight.

A46-1 landing after it's initial test flight. Aircraft features the undercarriage flipper doors and no spinner. Early 4 colour roundel fitted to fuselage.

A46-1 in an in-between stage. The prop doesn't have the spinner, the fuselage roundel still features the early British style . The fin still carries the red/white/blue fin flashes. The upper engine cowl features the revised carby intake. The oil cooler scoop is still in its original form protruding down from the lower engine cowl.

A46-1 after it's modification of the lower chin cowl and removal of the yellow outer ring and the red dot in the fuselage roundel. The under wing roundel still features the red dot. The upper carby intake is in its original form with the intake inside the cowl ring for some reason. The spinner has been added.

A46-2 off the production line. Also features the lower oil cooler scoop and red dot in the fuselage and wing roundels, with the yellow ring removed. Still has the red/white/blue fin flashes. This aircraft appears to also have the gun sight fitted.

A46-2 Boomerang taxies in after test flight. No Flipper doors but still features the lower oil cooler scoop. Red dot in roundel still used at this time.

A46-3 with the revised upper and lower engine cowls. Still has red dot in fuselage roundel, but red flash is removed from fin. The blue and white flashes later became the same 11 inches wide. No spinner is fitted. Eight inch stove pipe exhaust fitted.

A46-4 in an interesting pose. It is securely held down by concrete weights with the wheels chocked. It is possible that the aircraft was having its guns sighted as it appears in flying attitude. No spinner fitted. Red dot in the fuselage roundel removed but remains in under wing roundel. The Blue/White fin flashes are now both the same 11 inches wide.

Boomerang under test. This still comes from a film made of the trials of the Boomerang.

Boomerang showing no cannon or machine gun ports in wings.

Boomerang testing early version of the flame damper "pineapple" exhaust to not have as many exit flutes.