Author Topic: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera  (Read 20186 times)

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« on: December 07, 2014, 10:47:44 AM »
Hi all,
I've been wanting a model of the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Woomera - one of the two big RAAF What If? designs - for YEARS and years. (I'm guessing some of you aren't familiar with this voluptuous beauty, so I'll just leave this here:


For most of that time I only knew of one kit in any scale, the rare-as-hens-teeth NKR 1/72 resin kit which only ever goes for triple digits, if it ever goes.

So I was lucky to pick up this 1984-vintage KPL vacform off eBay for US$30.


My employer gives their staff 1/2 day shopping leave in the lead-up to Christmas, so I had a little time to get started on Friday afternoon.


First thing was to outline all parts with a black felt pen and score around them, and then snap them free. I won't bother with the wheels and props included, the props especially look awful due to the moulding process.


After sanding the fuselage I cut out the various opening for transparencies and taped it together. This was so I could figure out how big the cockpit floor needed to be.


I was lucky with the interior for two reasons: I had a set of High Planes CAC Wirraway panels which look about right, and thanks to a member of Aussie Modeller International I have a printout of the NKR Woomera instructions which include great sketches of the cockpits. I ended up using a 1/48 P-40 panel with part of the Wirra panel on top for the front, and seats from I think a Frog Airspeed Oxford. Not right but the canopy is atrocious, so shapes alone would do!


The cockpit and the side transparencies were glued in today and then the fuselage put together. Before calling it for the weekend I cut the wings into four separate sections and sanded before gluing them together - x2 outer panels and x2 centre sections. Next job will be sanding and filling the fuse - a few gaps there thanks to air bubbles in the mould - and ditto for the various wing parts.

More updates in a week or so :-)
« Last Edit: December 07, 2014, 10:49:50 AM by MangoKing87 »
Zac in NZ
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Offline FAAMAN

  • 'bin building for years ....... and it feels it!
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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2014, 12:46:44 PM »
The Woomera was a beautiful yet flawed beast, pity about the stability problems :o Great start to your project Mango, I'll be watching with interest!!  8) 8)
"Resistance is useless, prepare to be assembled!"

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2014, 01:43:41 PM »
Off to a nice start Zac.  I wish there was a 1/48 kit available...
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline LemonJello

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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2014, 09:48:42 PM »
Very cool.  I know less than nothing about this aircraft, but I like the looks of it immensely.  Looks like it'd be a good base for a PTO anti-shipping/ground attack bird. (Yes, in USMC colors).

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2014, 02:35:58 AM »
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2014, 09:09:35 AM »
That sure is a ripping great start, Zac!

The Woomera is one beautiful, unique aircraft and it looks like you're going to build a real stunner!

Brian da Basher

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2014, 06:52:02 AM »
Many thanks for the kind words, all!

Greg - thanks for the links, but I'm afraid I've mined the Google for all it's worth! I'm still hoping against hope someone, somewhere has something new to tell me!

My mother stayed for the weekend so no progress on the Woomera build, although I do have an RNZAF service history to post in the right place today. Expect some photos and an update this weekend  :icon_music:
Zac in NZ
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2014, 12:52:49 PM »
Greg - thanks for the links, but I'm afraid I've mined the Google for all it's worth! I'm still hoping against hope someone, somewhere has something new to tell me!

There might be something soon.  I have been in touch with Keith Meggs' son.  He informs me that Volume 2 of "Australian-Built Aircraft and the Industry" is not far away.  The following is what was originally planned:

Quote
Volume 2:

Chapter 15 is devoted entirely to the history of The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, a company, which has played such a huge part in the Australian aviation industry

'CAC' as it was affectionately known by the thousands who worked there was formed in 1936 and was predominantly involved in trainer and fighter production, right through to part-production of the French designed Mirage in the 1980's.

It developed into the most experienced and productive aircraft design organisation in Australia, originating imaginative world-class design proposals in all categories, most of which foundered because of lack of orders from military and civil operators, or from Government developmental sources.

CAC was also the major engine production centre in Australia, beginning with the Single Row Wasp for the Wirraway, through to the General Electric-F404 for the Hornet.

Apart from the thousands of production aircraft processed, the design projects undertaken, and the production programs investigated by CAC included the following:- Grumman Panther, supersonic fighters, Sabreliner, four engined fighter, Warrior air-superiority fighter, CA30-2F Macchi development, GAC-100 airliner, Boeing CH-47c Chinook, Yakovlev Yak-40, Grumman Tomcat, Lockheed Orion, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and many others.

The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation was taken over by Hawker de Havilland on 1 July 1986
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2014, 05:00:59 AM »
Greg - I've often read of Keith Meggs, I'd love to get my hands on that! Also, I like the idea of a CAC/Yak-40!
Zac in NZ
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Offline elmayerle

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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2014, 09:43:19 AM »
I understand that Edo was once approached by a couple rich Saudis about putting a Yak-40 on floats; I could just see that done with a CAC-built derivative.

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #10 on: December 21, 2014, 09:55:12 AM »
A Yak-40 on floats?! Perhaps used for servicing rigs in the Bass Strait?

Not much to report on the Woomera. The fuselage hasn't needed as much putty/sand/repeat as I expected, although I will need to fill in around the triangular transparencies.



Next job will be attaching the centre section wings, and opening holes in the nacelles. Not looking forward to it but best to get it done :-)

I also butchered a set of landing gear for the mains, not sure of their origin, and I'll use two sets of Academy Bf109 wheels as they seem pretty spot-on. I'll hide the spoked hubs on the side facing the leg.
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2015, 05:35:00 AM »
Just to prove I made progress over the weekend, having been pushed into putting her back on the bench at another forum....  >:(



Zac in NZ
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Offline trickyrich

  • The Resin Casanova
  • now if I just had time to finish all my projects!!
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2015, 01:31:52 PM »
What an interesting aircraft, I have to admit I've never heard of it!! Does look really interesting and a perfect Whiffy!

You've done well with the VacForm, not the easiest of materials to work with and get right, but you're doing great.

Will follow this one with interest!

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2015, 03:11:11 AM »
Thanks! This is my second vac model. It shows in areas like the nacelles but hey - what else is putty/filler for?
Zac in NZ
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Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2015, 04:07:40 AM »
You definitely have a rare and amazing talent for vacs, Zac!

I haven't built a vac in ages. The next time I tackle one, I'll be well served to do half as well as you!

Already looking forward to your next update, Old Bean!

Brian da Basher

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2015, 09:52:19 AM »
Thanks Brian! I wouldn't go so far as to say I have a talent for them, but I do believe vacs don't deserve the "Too Hard" label they've had for so long.
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #16 on: May 14, 2015, 02:54:40 AM »
Some inspiration to get you moving:



Painting of Woomera by Keith Meggs, author of the "Australian-Built Aircraft and the Industry" series.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline FAAMAN

  • 'bin building for years ....... and it feels it!
  • Always thought of himself as a 'straight' modeller
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #17 on: May 14, 2015, 01:05:48 PM »
Awesome!!  8) 8)
"Resistance is useless, prepare to be assembled!"

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #18 on: May 18, 2015, 10:59:20 AM »
Holy hell that's fantastic! Okay then, I'll grab the "kit" and get it back on the bench this weekend.

Wow. Nice one Keith!!!!
Zac in NZ
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Offline Volkodav

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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #19 on: May 18, 2015, 11:22:41 AM »
That looks like a cross between a A-20 Havoc and a Beaufighter!  Ship killer extraordinaire, I had only ever thought of them as attack interdiction aircraft.

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #20 on: May 18, 2015, 12:20:52 PM »
In the early stages the Woomera was all about torpedoes, from memory. Pictures of the CA-4 have two under the belly.

The painting made me think of something:
Zac in NZ
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #21 on: May 19, 2015, 03:20:18 AM »
In the early stages the Woomera was all about torpedoes, from memory. Pictures of the CA-4 have two under the belly.

The painting made me think of something:



Tease!!!  Now get them to do the kit!!!
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #22 on: May 20, 2015, 04:33:38 AM »
They'll probably need to start with an easier version:
Zac in NZ
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Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #23 on: May 30, 2015, 03:20:41 PM »
As promised: the wings are on!!




And the various extra bits (interior, U/C, engines):


I'm away from home for some 1:1 aviation time, but on Monday I'll get into shaping and refining the nacelles and - hopefully - fitting the engines.
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

Offline KiwiZac

  • The Modeller Formerly Known As K5054NZ
Re: 1/72 Commonwealth CA-11 Woomera
« Reply #24 on: April 07, 2016, 04:49:20 AM »
Bump.

It's been far too long since I worked on this so I'll try and get to it this weekend. I've decided it will be built as one of my hypothetical RNZAF ones. Stay tuned!
Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG"
https://linktr.ee/zacyates