Ian Baker Restoring CAC Boomerangs

Warbirds Online recently visited CAC Boomerang restorer, Ian Baker at his new base in Mittagong NSW. Regular readers will be aware of Ian’s 3 Boomerangs, CA-12s A46-89 and A46-90 and CA-13 A46-140. The two CA-12s are being restored by Ian to airworthy status and it is his intention to retain both of these aircraft.

Ian has also been working on the CA-13 A46-140, a survivor, which was little known until it was discovered in the USA amongst a collection of spare parts which were originally used to rebuild Guido Zuccoli’s A46-206a rare CA-19 Boomerang. This aircraft is for sale and Ian is providing a very comprehensive kit of parts to allow this aircraft to be completed to static or flying condition including ‘new build’ wings.

Since our last visit A46-140 has had a lot of work completed on the fuselage.  The wooden shell of the fuselage is nearly ready for cladding and many of the internal fittings are now complete including the seat and some of the controls. There has been considerable interest in the aircraft since it was first offered for sale and it is anticipated that a sale will take place in the not too distant future. There are not too many complete Boomerang projects available, especially CA-19s so this is an excellent opportunity for someone.

Ian’s own Boomerang projects are also making steady progress despite Ian’s recent relocation to Mittagong. On the day of our visit we were able to view Boomerang A46-89 in Ian’s workshop and a great deal of work has been performed on this airframe since we last saw it.  Many of the fuselage panels, undercarriage gear doors and other metal fixtures have been restored or built from scratch using original components as patterns. Ian is a very skilled engineer and the quality of his work is excellent.

Ian has also taken the two center sections (North American Harvard Mk 4 units, which are easily converted to Boomerang specifications) out of storage and will shortly begin work on them – there is an additional unit to be included in the sale of A46-140.

Boomerang A46-89 has also had the framework for its wooden fuselage shell largely completed and is awaiting its ply skin to be attached. The shell will then be removed whilst the fuselage interior is completely fitted out.

Ian has now acquired a new spacious workshop in Mittagong and this will allow him to accommodate his Boomerangs and other Aviation work. This will in turn speed up progress on the aircraft and allow for the larger components to be laid out and worked on. Warbirds Online will continue to report on these magnificent restorations and we thank Ian Baker for allowing us to visit and prepare this report.

Should you have an interest in acquiring A46-140, it comes with a package of parts suitable for restoration to static or flying condition and Ian can supply whatever is required including ‘new build’. wings. Alternatively the aircraft can be completed to the purchaser’s specifications. For further information please contact Ian Baker at advancedaerocomponents@gmail.com.

© John Parker 2017