From “Panic Fighter” to Smokey Joe”: CA-13 Boomerang from Special Hobby.
Probably many people will recognize themselves when I describe the reasons for my interest in model aircraft construction as follows: the fascination of flying meets (technical) history and stories, combines with historical biographies and fates, and finally ends up in a piece of miniaturized reality, designed with perseverance and craftsmanship; a complex work of plastic, scratched parts and dedication that offers the imagination something concrete to look at and touch.
The CA-13 Boomerang really has a lot to show in these categories: how a new manufacturer without any experience was able to develop a mission-ready and successful fighter plane in the incredibly short development time of three months is still fascinating today!
In addition to Lawrence Wackett, chief designer at the "Commenwealth Aviation Corporation", an engineer who, as a Jew from Austria, had just escaped persecution by the Nazis, was in charge of the project: Fred David, who comes from Vienna and was initially classified as "enemy alien" by the Australian authorities, had been contracted by Wackett right at the beginning of the project.
David's reputation was quite respectable: he had previously worked for Heinkel, and later for the Japanese aircraft manufacturer Aichi, in a leading position in the development of advanced fighters; truly a good recommendation for a job at CAC!
This team achieved the most remarkable thing: since it was foreseeable that the United Kingdom, which was hard pressed in a global war, as well as the USA would not be able to supply Australia with modern fighters, the newly founded consortium CAC was to provide a solution with its own designs. With the CA-9 Wirraway they had just gained first experiences in aircraft construction, now a single-seater fighter was to be derived from this two-seater, by the way a strongly modified licensed construction of the T6 Texan from NAA.
One could orientate oneself by the experiences that North American Aviation had made with own modifications. At the end of the 1930s, the AT-6 had become the basis for a fighter which had been built in very small numbers as the NA-68 or P-64. The seven manufactured machines even saw combat missions after they had been flown on the Peruvian side in the short war against Ecuador.
The CA-13, however, showed only superficial similarities with the P-64, because the basis for the Boomerang was the CA-9 Wirraway, whose wings and landing gear were partly, the tail even completely taken over. For the engine, a licensed version of the 1200 HP Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp, a new fuselage was designed, which also used some parts of the Wirraway.
The CA-13 was well armed: two 20mm cannons and four 7.7mm machine guns in the wings gave it respectable firepower; armour, self-sealing tanks and general flight performance were also state of the art, keeping the Boomerang a frontline tool of the Australian war effort until the end of the war.
However, it soon became clear that the Boomerang was not a superior fighter, but a formidable ground attack aircraft. A total of six squadrons of the RAAF preferred to use the aircraft in this role during the fights in the Southwest Pacific. Its use as a target marker earned the CA-13 the nickname "Smokey Joe"; a designation that suited it better than its former nickname "Panic Fighter"!
In May 1942 the delivery of the CA-13 began, which was manufactured in the CAC factory Fisherman's Bend near Melbourne next to the CA-9. From February 1942 until the end of the war a total of 250 CA-12 Boomerang were manufactured and delivered.
My model shows a Boomerang flown by the No.4 Squadron as it had looked in July 1944. The tail and leading edges of the wing had been painted white to protect them from friendly fire after Boomerangs had been repeatedly fired upon by their own side during their risky ground attack missions.
The aircraft shown here was flown by Jack Archer, the pilot who caused quite a stir by shooting down a Zero with a CA-9 Wirraway.
The kit, first released by Special Hobby in 2008, requires a lot of patience and improvisation. Especially the work with the scratched parts is quite a challenge. Some of the parts are cast on such thick blocks that it is difficult to cut them off without destroying them. But also the lack of accuracy of fit of the plastic parts calls for constant careful work, constant fitting tests and industrious filling and sanding.
In any case, the fascination with model making mentioned at the beginning has strengthened this project. Not only the history of the model can arouse interest, but also the required technical and modelling skills will ensure satisfaction - at least after a successful end!
Hi Roland!
You did a fantastic job on this.
I also liked your very informative article.
Particularly the first paragraph expresses my approach to scale modelling in a most accurate way.
I've built the same kit many years ago, but decided to airbrush some engine and gun staining and I overdid it...
Maybe a corrective action will be taken, so I will be able to present it too!
All the best!
Hello my friend! Thank you for those kind words. The "Boomerang" is indeed a worth seeing and interesting aircraft - although challenging to build.
I would be happy if you reactivate your Boomerang project!
I confess that although I had some difficulties with the construction, I ordered a second kit in the meantime. I would like to apply) what I have experienced here once again; this time in a machine entirely in "Foliage Green" 🙂
Besides a very nice build you have of this Boomerang, your first lines of this article are a perfect description of my interest for modelling as well.
What an extraordinary exhaust this plane has.
Very realistic result from a not so easy kit. I'm always happy to see another Aussie model and I also share your philosophy on this wonderful hobby.
Excellent work Roland, nice background story as well. That porcupine exhaust stack is an interesting addition.
Excellent pice of modelling there. You sure have a good taste and provide us with a bit of nice artisan styrene smithery. Great choice of camouflage and the one in foliage green will be equally good looking.
That is most definitely an excellent result from one of the tougher kits to come from Special Hobby.
To read your words is a great pleasure and a motivation to me! Thank you Sirs for your statements!
Great work on this Roland! I did the Ca-12 last year and you're right about this kit being difficult but the final result is worth the effort.
3 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Thanks for your comment! a beautiful model; especially the design of the exhaust is a feast for the eyes!
Magnificent work Roland, I really admire the weathering you achieved in this one, spot on to my taste
I share your modelling perspective, I think most of us are historians at heart. I enjoyed your post about the Boomerang, it has such an interesting backstory, plus it has a real chunky charm to it. Great looking build of a rarely-seen WWII warbird, I really need to pull out my Tasman 1/72 scale CA-12 kit.
This is a real beauty! And a great article as well. Well done!
another great end result with a SH kit, well done!
Really nice job on this, all Special Hobbies can be challenging.
I started this kit, but messed up the paint bad, so I threw it. I came round and hit me in the back of the head.
Ahem.
Your Boomerang is the best model I have seen on-line of this particular aircraft. The detail and paintwork made me think it was 1/32nd at first, especially when looking at pics of the cockpit. Great work on a complex build. All the work you did to clean up the rough edges with careful filling and sanding was worth the effort..
It's definitely high on the "difficult kit" list, but the result can be nice with perseverance, as you so clearly demonstrate here. Nice work again!
Agree totally with your first paragraph. I wouldn't do the things I do in my life if I hadn't started as a modeler.
Here's my take on the same airplane.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
A beautiful model! A Boomerang can really fascinate; thanks for your comments and for the picture!
Beautiful work!
Roland, simply beautiful. Well Done !
Really, you all delight me very much with your feedback!
I am also pleased that my introductory words about model building have met with approval 🙂
Dale, Tom, thanks for sharing your pictures - they prove what a strangely beautiful aircraft the Boomerang is.
One word used to describe this model. Professional. On many levels. Making a difficult kit look easy and impressive is what magicians do. Pulling back the curtain and showing the masses how its done is a blessing. Thank you Roland for sharing.
Stephen, your words not only give me great pleasure, they make me really proud. Thanks for your comment!
Superb Boomerang Roland - love it. I have one of these to build - I have loved the Boomerang since I was a kid and built the tiny Airfix one! Love your Wirraway elsewhere too. One question for you - What paints do you use for your basic camouflage?
Cheers
Malcolm
Amazing build, your Boomerang looks great!