CAC Boomerang Restorations Feb 2021 Update

It has been some time since Warbirds Online visited the Workshop of Greg Batts of Combat Aircraft Constructions at Archerfield, Brisbane.  Readers will recall that Greg has been restoring his own CA-12 Boomerang in addition to currently working on 3 other CA-12 Boomerang’s A46-55, A46-77 and A46-92, not to mention having done fuselage work on CA-12 Boomerang A46-73 and CA-19 Boomerang A46-249 along the way.

CA-12 Boomerang A46-54

On our recent visit to his workshop, work on A46-54 was coming to its finalization with a lot of the final detail being added to complete the aircraft. To facilitate the process the fuselage wooden shell remains off, as well as the cockpit canopy giving much greater access to all of the aircrafts internal systems for fitting of electrical, hydraulic and fuel systems as well as cockpit controls and instrumentation and also to allow for the final engineering inspections and certifications to progress before active testing and first flight. The wooden shell, radio shack and windscreen have now been painted in preparation for the day of refitting.

The views revealed in the attached photographs do not do justice to the progress of late. Anybody who understands Warbird restoration can attest that the last stages of any airworthy aircraft restoration to flight are the most detailed and time consuming.

The Boomerang Instrumentation is also quite detailed, on par with any other Fighter of the time and requires time to calibrate and ensure functionality. This installation is now all finished. The actual commissioning of the hydraulic system was being done during our visit, with the electrical items all checked out and passed. The control surfaces are also completed and fitted to the airframe along with the adjustment of their cables and linkages.

What’s left to do? Currently awaiting receipt of the new seat belt harness to allow for the seat installation to proceed. The main fuselage fuel tank pump is all readied and the last part of the fuel system to be installed and connected up.  Soon now CA-12 Boomerang A46-54 will have its inspections by a certified engineer and signed off for the next stage. Once all of the inspections and paperwork have been completed the Boomerang will have its Wooden Shell, Radio Shack and Canopy refitted, and then the outer wings removed, and then the remainder on its wheels transported on a low loader to Caboolture Airport where the Outer Wings will be reassembled and have its propeller fitted.

Once reassembled Boomerang A46-54 will then undergo an exhaustive series of tests of each system and individual components to ensure the aircraft is completely ready for flight. The next phase will be to be engine testing with progress to full power running, this phase also requires frequent examination of the oil to ensure the engine is functioning as it should and no metal is detected. The engine performance, temperatures and oil pressure will also be verified and once all of the above is confirmed, the last phase is certified flight trials and this will take a fixed number of hours throughout which the Boomerang will undergo numerous inspections to ensure there are no leaks of oil, hydraulic fluid or coolant.

It is anticipated that all of the above will be completed within the next three to four months with a first flight by mid-2021.

Meanwhile activity on the other 3 Boomerangs is also progressing, all of which will be airworthy.  Work on these aircraft is continuing apace.

CA-12 Boomerang A46-77

CA-12 Boomerang A46-77 has had a tremendous amount of work carried out on the fuselage with the total structure completed for the empennage and cockpit fitout well under way. The wooden fuselage shell remains in place at present but will soon be lifted back off for continued fitting out of electrics, cabling, radios, and main fuel tank. Forward engine cowlings are currently under trialling

of alignments and some new builds. In addition the wing centre section is nearing completion and this will allow the fuselage to be mounted on it for sizing in the new made wing fillets. The undercarriage can then be fitted for it to stand on its landing gear for the first time since 1948.

CA-12 Boomerang A46-92

CA-12 Boomerang A46-92 is rather historic, as recent evidence gathered by Matt Denning and Greg Batts has shown that it was to have received battle damage during 4 Sqn RAAF operations leading in USAF P38 fighters in PNG.  It has had considerable progress made with the fuselage shell having all of its metal work edgings, doors, footstep, and panels fitted.

CA-12 Boomerang A46-55

CA-12 Boomerang A46-55  is the least advanced of the aircraft but has also made excellent progress with the fuselage wooden shell trial fitted and metal work (as same as A46-92) already done.  Empennage assembly is under trail fit prior to disassembly and overhaul.

As the time rapidly approaches for the first flight of Greg’s aircraft CA-12 Boomerang A46-54, the first flight since 1945 or 75 years, Warbirds Online will be on hand for all the exciting details of this CAC Boomerang’s second ‘first’ flight and in the 100th year of the RAAF. What could be a more opportune year to have an Aussie designed fighter to fly!

Warbirds Online again extends our thanks Greg Batts and the team at Combat Aircraft Constructions for allowing us access to this unique Warbird restoration facility.

© John Parker 2021