Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Stories => Topic started by: apophenia on May 22, 2014, 02:03:36 AM

Title: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on May 22, 2014, 02:03:36 AM
'Super Boomer' - The Story of the Commonwealth Aircraft CA-14 Wallaby

With the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-12 Boomerang in production, developments and replacement designs were considered. CAC's Ca-15 was to be world-class, frontline fighter of entirely new design. The simpler CA-13 development would standardize production line improvements to the CA-12 series. The CA-14 concept was to review more powerful engine options for the 'Boomer'.

Initial candidate powerplants for the evolved CA-14 were the large Wright R-2600 and Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radials. Unfortunately, the United States could make neither of these engines available in a timely fashion. Then, a third radial engine candidate appeared from a most unexpected source.

Ships returning from supplying the Australian Army in the Western Desert bought back the damaged remnants of the newest German fighter aircraft. CAC design staff had already been briefed on RAF reports of a captured Fw 190A-3. But the parts retreived from Tunisia represented the latest model Fw 190A-4/Trop. Further Focke-Wulf components arrived from Sicily at CAC's Fisherman's Bend plant.

RAAF Intelligence units had yet to recover an airworthy Focke-Wulf fighter but Fw 190 remains shipped to Australia included near-complete engines, damaged fuselages, and intact wings and tails. The RAAF Intelligence Section assumed that CAC would make a study of these Focke-Wulf components to determine what could be useful in the designing of the advanced CA-15 fighter.

[To be continued]
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on May 22, 2014, 02:05:31 AM
'Super Boomer' - The Commonwealth Aircraft CA-14 Wallaby - Part 2

Even the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation's chief, Lawrence Wackett, was startled when CA-12 designer Friedrich 'Fred' David suggested that CAC could 'leap frog' to the CA-15 Kangaroo by simply reverse-engineering the Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-4. Thanks to RAAF recovery efforts, Australia already had on hand all the Fw 190 components that it required. And the Fw 190A-4 possessed a distinct performance advantage over the Japanese type then being encountered in the Pacific Theatre.

Wackett ordered a feasibility study of Fred David's proposal. It quickly became apparent that there would be nothing 'simple' about reverse-engineering the Fw 190A-4. To speed development of the CA-15/Fw (as CAC's Focke-Wulf 'clone' became known), the monocoque fuselage was replaced by a welded steel-tube structure more in line with then-current CAC production practices. A mockup of this CA-15/Fw (03) concept was created using recovered Fw 190 components.

RAAF reviews of the CA-15/Fw (03) concept were, on the whole, positive but the mockup's tight cockpit and narrow canopy came under universal criticism. RAAF pilots, now use to the more generous proportions of US cockpits, demanded more space and an improved rearward view. To address these concerns quickly, Fred David evolved the CA-15/Fw (05) which incorporated the cockpit and canopy of the CA-12 Boomerang into the CA-15/Fw design.

The revised cockpit design of the CA-15/Fw (05) satisfied the reviewing service pilots. But the CA-15/Fw concept now faced another major hurdle. To build the CA-15/Fw, CAC also intended to reverse-engineer the Fw 190's BMW 801 engine. The resulting CAC R-2560 radial -- expected to produce 1,675 hp for take-off on 100 octane fuel -- was to power both the Ca-15/Fw Kangaroo and the revised CA-4B Woomera bomber. But the plan was a step too far. CAC simply lacked the design personnel for such a major undertaking at that time.

[To be continued]
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Cliffy B on May 22, 2014, 02:09:33 AM
Oh my!!!  Beer and popcorn at the ready, you may proceed  8)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: GTX_Admin on May 22, 2014, 02:52:43 AM
Looking good. :) A different approach to the one I have for getting the Fw190 into RAAF service... ;)

One minor nitpick (and please don't take this the wrong way):  I somehow doubt reverting to the CA-12 style cockpit/canopy would result in "improved rearward view" over that used for the Fw190.  If anything, it would be the opposite.
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Logan Hartke on May 22, 2014, 03:14:44 AM
Looks more "right" than it should!

Cheers,

Logan
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Silver Fox on May 22, 2014, 04:01:43 AM
Very interesting!

Of course if the reversion to an earlier style glazing had not taken place, we wouldn't get to enjoy it's later modification. :)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Old Wombat on May 22, 2014, 01:58:05 PM
Love the look of the CA-14 Wallaby, the Boomerang canopy & tail suits it well. 8)

This must have been before CAC developed the CA-14 turbo-supercharged Boomerang variant (for some reason CAC numbered each "block" of Boomerangs differently; CA-12, CA-13, CA-14(A) & CA-19).

In my mind I can see a CAS variant with inverted gull wings, 4 x 20mm cannon & rockets/bombs, too. CA-16 Thunderbird (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dromornithidae)?

Edit: Sorry, CA-15/Fw .... The title & in-article references are somewhat confusing. :-\
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Buzzbomb on May 22, 2014, 02:30:10 PM
Inspiring.
Just wonderful vision on that, I agree with Logan.. it really does look more right than it should
Time until somebody builds one.. 10...9...8...
Les.. are you out there ?


Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Old Wombat on May 22, 2014, 02:52:31 PM
Time until somebody builds one.. 10...9...8...
Les.. are you out there ?

I've put it on my 1/72nd To-Do list but, like everything these days, it may take a while before I get to it.
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Weaver on May 22, 2014, 07:03:54 PM
Wow - that looks great as a "westernised" Fw-190: I'm a big 190 fan.  8)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Kerick on May 23, 2014, 01:10:15 AM
Perhaps a canopy was scrounged from a damaged P-38 to replace the Boomerang canopy?
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: GTX_Admin on May 23, 2014, 02:36:54 AM
Or even one from the real world CAC CA-15? 8)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on May 23, 2014, 06:33:13 AM
Many thanks for the responses folks!

Greg: You're probably right about the rear vision issue. I had in mind some burly, beef-fed Aussie lad banging his noggin on the narrow Fw canopy when craning for a look behind. As for the Wallaby itself, stay tuned for gradual cockpit cover changes ... as Silver Fox has already anticipated  ;)

"Looking good. :) A different approach to the one I have for getting the Fw190 into RAAF service... ;) "  Do tell!  :D

Old Wombat: The RW CA-14 designation followed the engine twist-and-turns I mentioned ... other than the BMW 801, of course ;)  But why CAC applied designations as they did is anyone's guess  :icon_surprised:

CA-16 Thunderbird: Love the idea of applying names from extinct animals to aircraft. Dromornis:
http://k31.kn3.net/taringa/4/7/1/9/5/4/5/matias1097/647.jpg?9116 (http://k31.kn3.net/taringa/4/7/1/9/5/4/5/matias1097/647.jpg?9116)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on May 23, 2014, 06:36:10 AM
'Super Boomer' - The Commonwealth Aircraft CA-14 Wallaby - Part 3

With the CAC R-2560 engine on hold, designer Fred David was forced back to the drawing board. A lack of suitable engines had also stalled the CA-14. But a CAC Engine Division development put the CA-14 project back on top. CAC was now scheduled to produce an enlarged Twin Wasp derivative for the Woomera bomber. Engine Division suggested applying some of the lessons learned from the stalled R-2560 project to the licensed Pratt & Whitney R-2000 for the Woomera.

Most noticeably, the CAC-built R-2000 would incorporate the BMW's cooling fan as well as its armoured cowling ring and protected oil cooler. The BMW 801's Kommandogerät (now redubbed the ECU -- for Engine Control Unit) would also be incorporated into the CAC R-2000. Following the pattern of CAC-produced R-1830 Twin Wasps, the new R-2000 was to power both bombers and fighters -- in this case, the revised CA-11B Woomera and the CA-14 Wallaby fighter.

The CA-14 (04) concept envisioned a CA-12 Boomerang airframe re-engined with the new, fan-cooled CAC R-2000 engine. But Fred David successfully argued for a more advanced design -- the CA-14 (06)  -- which would also incorporate the CA-15/Fw's wing and undercarriage into the revised concept.

With its 1,350 hp R-2000 radial, the resulting fighter would be almost as potent as the planned CA-15/Fw. The CA-14 Wallaby featured a lengthed CA-12 steel-tube fuselage. Extra forward fuselage bays tied in to wing and engine mounting points. The relative rearward positioning of the cockpit also meant that the depth of the CA-12 frames could be lessened. The result was a much reduced frontal area compared with the Boomerang and a good turn of speed for the new CA-14 Wallaby.

[To be continued]
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Old Wombat on May 23, 2014, 01:17:33 PM
Had to modify this link "http://k31.kn3.net/taringa/4/7/1/9/5/4/5/matias1097/647.jpg?9116"

to this http://k31.kn3.net/taringa/4/7/1/9/5/4/5/matias1097/647.jpg (http://k31.kn3.net/taringa/4/7/1/9/5/4/5/matias1097/647.jpg) to view the image.

However, for clarity re: this Mean-Mother-Chicken (Dromornis, lit. Thunder Bird)

(http://k31.kn3.net/taringa/4/7/1/9/5/4/5/matias1097/647.jpg)

I may have to build the CA-16 idea, too, just to get that on the cowling! ;)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: GTX_Admin on May 24, 2014, 05:06:39 AM
[Slight thread deviation]


"Looking good. :) A different approach to the one I have for getting the Fw190 into RAAF service... ;) "  Do tell!  :D



My story is a bit more than just the Fw-190 (as you will see below) - the info below is just the bare bones and needs to be better developed and filled out.  It was all originally inspired by this image by Clave:

(http://www.clavework-graphics.co.uk/aircraft/fantasy_2/F187_Fw190A8_RAAF.jpg)

Basically, it starts with the 1936 RAAF  technical mission to Europe (which included the UK, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy) and the USA to evaluate modern aircraft types and select a type suitable to Australia's defence needs and within Australia's capabilities to build. In the real world, the three-man mission (which included CAC's Sir Lawrence Wackett) lasted five months and on its return advised that the North American NA-16 was the most suitable type…which eventually led to the Boomerang, CA-15 etc…

In my spin off, the team visit Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau AG where Lawrence Wackett befriends Kurt Tank (both being decorated WWI veterans and highly capable aircraft designers).  Impressed with the innovation of Kurt Tank's designs (especially the emphasis on maintainability and ruggedness), Lawrence Wackett (and the team) recommend that the RAAF pursue a licence to produce the Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stösser advanced trainer with possible extension to also build the Focke-Wulf Fw 159 fighter which shared components.  This further develops into a full partnership between Focke-Wulf and CAC with Kurt Tank taking up a proposal to emigrate to Australia to work with his friend Lawrence Wackett.

Always a keen business man, Lawrence Wackett is especially intrigued to rapidly build Australia's (and CAC's) aerospace capability, not only for military platforms but more so for civilian.  Of course, WII eventually leads to a focus on combat aircraft.  This eventually centres upon the following designs:

CA-1 Wirraway advanced trainer (aka FW-56)
CA-2 Currawong medium sized trainer/transport/liason/medium sized airliner aircraft (aka FW-158)
CA-3 Bilyara long range airliner/WII maritime patrol aircraft (aka FW-200)
CA-12 Boomerang (aka FW-190A series)
CA-14 Improved Boomerang  (aka TA-152)

Anyway, enough of that - it still needs a lot of work.  Back to your normal programming now.

[Slight thread deviation ended]
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Volkodav on May 24, 2014, 08:45:25 AM
Thankyou , that's my FW190A-8 sorted  :)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on May 25, 2014, 09:37:09 AM
Ack! I've just read that the RW CA-14A had a cooling fan inspired by the Fw 190's BMW 801! Well, so much for original concepts  :P

Greg: I'm liking your CAC/Focke-Wulf connection concept. I'm looking forward to seeing where you go with this :)
________________________________________

'Super Boomer' - The Commonwealth Aircraft CA-14 Wallaby - Part 4

The production Wallaby was to be the CA-14A and very high priority was assigned. But delays are inevitable in such programmes and the Wallaby was no exception. To speed the process, CAC fitted the prototype Wallaby with a 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S3C4G Twin Wasp from the CA-12 Boomerang. With this temporary engine, the unarmed prototype was able to first fly on 30 October 1943.

[Top] Prototype CA-14 Wallaby (A56-010) as rolled out. The wing and undercarriage of this aircraft were reclaimed Fw 190A-4 components. As a security precaution, CA-14 ADF serials followed the sequence applied to RAAF P-43 Lancer fighters.

The first R-2000 radials completed by CAC Engine Division were intended for CA-11B Woomera bombers. Despite lacking a gun synchonization gear, this engine was selected to re-engine the CA-14 prototype and to power the pre-production run of CA-14A Wallabys. As a result, the planned 6-gun fighter armament was abandoned in favour of twin .5" Browning heavy machine guns in the outer wing positions. All nine pre-production CA-14As were assigned to No. 5 (Tactical Reconnaissance) Squadron of the RAAF.

[Bottom] The fifth CA-14A Wallaby Mk.IA, 'Recce Robin' of No. 5 (TR) Sqn while based at Bouganville in the Soloman Islands, 1944. Flown by P/O C. Rasmussen, this aircraft was A56-015 but the serial has been overpainted with a coat of locally-mixed PR Blue applied to all lower surfaces.

[To be continued]
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: upnorth on May 25, 2014, 05:00:58 PM
Great concept and some very fetching profiles. I'll be following closely.  :)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on May 26, 2014, 05:20:20 AM
'Super Boomer' - The Commonwealth Aircraft CA-14 Wallaby - Part 5

The CA-14A Wallaby Mk.II fighter went to war armed with six .5" Browning guns. In theory, the weight of fire was equivalent to the RAAF's imported Kittyhawk fighters. But, in reality, four of those guns were synchronized to fire through the propeller disc. To increase the weight of fire, CAC had proposed reverse-engineering the Fw 190's Mauser MG 151/20 cannon.

While CAC's design work on the Mauser gun was quickly accomplished, Canberra concluded that the Australian armaments industry was over-stretched. But it was not only the RAAF that was interested in the MG 151/20. Captured examples of the Mauser had also been examined by the Australian Army and the RAN. Both services realized that the MG 151/20 would make a superior light AA cannon to the 20mm Oerlikon. A 'shadow factory' scheme was approved.

What became known as the AC-20 was acknowledged as a CAC design but actual assembly was by the Lithgow Small Arms Factory (Lithgow, NSW) with component production shared among WT Carmichael Ltd (Sidney, NSW) with Diecasters Ltd and Gregory Steel Products Pty (both of Collingwood, VIC). Ammunition for the AC-20 was produced by 'MC' Munitions Finsbury (SA) and 'MF' Munitions Footscray (VIC). Initially, 'AC' was for 'Auto Cannon' but that was soon changed to 'Australian Cannon' to reflect this weapons 'universal' status.

Priority delivery for the AC-20 was to major RAN warships (to replace twin Oerlikons) and RAAF fighters (replacing the wing 'Fifties' in later CA-14A Wallabys and Hispanos in late-production CA-13 Boomerangs). Neither the Australian Army nor the RAAF would receive any ground mount AC-20s prior to the end of the War in the Pacific.

Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on May 27, 2014, 07:20:51 AM
'Super Boomer' - The Commonwealth Aircraft CA-14 Wallaby - Part 6

The first production CA-14A Wallaby armed with the AC-20 cannon was the Mk.III. Due to initial shortages of AC-20s, cannons were installed only in the wing-root bays with .5" Browning machine guns retained in the outer wings. Surviving Mk.IIIs were later fitted with outer wing bomb racks as Wallaby Mk.IIIAs. These aircraft replaced CA-12 Boomerangs in No.5 Squadron service in 1945.

[Top] A factory-fresh CA-14A Wallaby Mk.III at Fisherman's Bend, awaiting delivery to its RAAF unit.

The full armament of twin cowl-mounted 'fifies' and four wing-mounted AC-20 cannons first appeared on the Wallaby Mk.IV. The Wallaby Mk.V was essentially similar other than minor changes to electrical systems. A more noticeable change was its revised canopy. The reduced framing on this sliding hood was meant to address on-going pilot complaints of poor rearward vision.

[Bottom] 'Hot Stuff!' of 'B' Flight, No.78 Squadron, shows recognition marks in the form of white bands (on the spinner and chord-wise across the wings, and on the tailplane). This white 'reco' markings were applied in the field after a No.5 Sqn Wallaby was shot down by a USAAF P-38 (which, apparently, mistook the Australian fighter for a Japanese Hayabusa).
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Logan Hartke on May 28, 2014, 11:52:36 AM
Those look great, apophenia! Especially the bottom one of the two with the new canopy and white tail!

Cheers,

Logan
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Old Wombat on May 28, 2014, 08:37:31 PM
I'm loving this plane! :-*
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Buzzbomb on May 29, 2014, 06:37:46 AM
Yes lots of love here as well.
It just looks right and the storyline is well crafted as well.

Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Silver Fox on May 29, 2014, 08:50:49 AM
That's areal pretty plane. It just looks...right. :)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Old Wombat on May 29, 2014, 10:12:30 AM
Hmm!? apophenia, any chance of a naval version with a V-frame hook in the fuselage? ???

Ideas & plans are forming! ;)


Now, I just need to get my hands on an Eduard 1/48th Fw190A-8/R-2 (http://www.hlj.com/product/EDU8428/Air) & a Special Hobby 1/48 CAC 13 Boomerang (http://www.hobbylinc.com/cgi-bin/s8.cgi?str_s=boomerang&submit=Search&cat_s=SAD&mfg_s=).

... and add them to the stash & put this on the To Do List for the next few years ... :icon_crap:


Anyone know the quality of the ARII/Microace Fw190A-8 (http://www.hlj.com/product/ARIA335/Air), as a sub for the Eduard kit?
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on May 29, 2014, 11:09:13 AM
Many thanks folks!  Old Wombat: what sort of scheme did you have in mind for this nautical Wallaby ?
__________________________________________

'Super Boomer' - The Commonwealth Aircraft CA-14 Wallaby - Part 7

A further attempt was made to improve rearward vision with the Wallaby Mk.VI. The scalloped rear windows inherited from the Boomerang were replaced with a more fully-glazed panel behind the cockpit. This new rear glazing matched with the 'clear view' sliding canopy somewhat improved the pilot's view to the rear.

Other than its rear fuselage decking, the Wallaby Mk. VI was much like the Mk.V.

[Top] Wallaby A56-063 was a company trials Mk.IV converted as the prototype Mk.VI. But A56-063 was not finished to final  Mk.VI standards. This aircraft retained its original framed sliding hood and its 'extra', curved rear perspex panels were not adopted for the production Mk.VI.

The Wallaby Mk.X introduced a cut-down rear fuselage decking with clear-vision panels behind the sliding hood. This inovation was dubbed the 'Jap Cap' for its resemblance to the Zero fighter's canopy. This arrangement finally satisfied RAAF pilots' demands for superior Wallaby rear vision.

The Wallaby Mk.XA reverted to outboard Browning machine guns to allow for the added weight of ordnance carried on the wing racks (US B7 bomb shackles). The Wallaby Mk.XA was employed as a replacement for Boomerang fighter-bombers or, as below, in the fighter-recce role.

[Bottom] LB+K of No.84 Squadron flown by Flt Lt WRC Mcculloch from Higgins Field on Horn Island  off the northernmost tip of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula. Most of No.84's aircraft were Wallaby Mk.Xs but 'K' was one of a handful of recce Mk.XAs used to drop aircraft flare bombs.

[To be continued]
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on June 08, 2014, 12:10:01 PM
'Super Boomer' - The Commonwealth Aircraft CA-14 Wallaby - Part 8

With its cut-down rear fuselage, the Wallaby Mk.X had addressed RAAF complaints about visibility to the rear. But Commonwealth's ultimate answer to rearward vision was the sliding bubble canopy of the Wallaby F.Mk.XI. Other than changes to the upper decking to accommodate the new canopy, the Wallaby Mk.XI was essentially similar to the Mk.X.

[Top] Most of the Wallaby F.Mk.XIs were delivered after the end of hostilities. This example went to No.1 Air Performance Unit at Laverton, Victoria for test purposes. Shown here sprayed in the immediate postwar RAAF scheme of all-over silver with 'centreless' roundels.

A56-338 has had its lower undercarriage covers removed for wet field trials while carrying 1,000 lb bombs from its centreline bomb rack. This aircraft was later tested with Rheinmetall-Borsig MK 103 cannons in underwing pods.

The Wallaby Mk.XI was actually preceeded into service by the interim Mk.XII. The latter were production-line conversions of partially completed Wallaby Mk.Xs. Wallaby Mk.XIIAs were four cannon fighters, Wallaby Mk.XIIBs were tactical reconnaissance aircraft with outboard AC-20s replaced by 0.50" Brownings to save weight.
 
[Bottom] This near-new Wallaby Mk.XIIB had joined No.76 Squadron's Wallaby Mk.Xs on Goodenough Island north of New Guinea just prior to Japan's surrender. A56-307 has lost its cowl guns -- presumably a local field modification aimed at further weight reduction.

A56-307 wears the standard late-war RAAF scheme of all-over Foliage Green with factory-applied white recognition markings. Squadrons in the field often extended the reco markings to wing tips and entire cowlings.

[To be continued ... sort of]
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: GTX_Admin on June 09, 2014, 03:50:21 AM
 :)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Old Wombat on June 09, 2014, 10:03:24 PM
Old Wombat: what sort of scheme did you have in mind for this nautical Wallaby ?

No idea, mate, I was just going to make it up as I went along but I suppose a late-war RN BPF scheme with the white recognition markings as per the RAAF versions might be appropriate.

Oh, & a straight-arm hook might be more logical than the V(or A)-frame.

:)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on June 11, 2014, 03:05:24 AM
Old Wombat: Late-war BPF with Aussie reco markings sounds good. Not so sure about the stinger arrestor hook, though.

RN aircraft were still mostly using A-frames until war's end -- eg: Barracuda, Firefly, Sea Hornet, etc. Even the early-production Seafire XVs had A-frame arrestor hooks.

Also, A-frame hooks were attached to the bottom longerons. Makes for pretty simple 'navalization' of an airframe with a steel-tube fuselage frame.
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on June 11, 2014, 03:07:56 AM
'Super Boomer' - Part 9 - The Commonwealth Aircraft CA-19 Wirga trainer

The Commonwealth CA-19 combined features of the CA-14A and the Wirraway trainer (which the CA-19 was intended to replace). In design, the CA-19 followed the concept of the Wallaby -- adapting the Fw 190 wing and main undercarriage to the trainer's welded steel tube fuselage structure.

The projected powerplant for the CA-19 was CAC's R-1000, a fan-cooled 7-cylinder radial (which was, essentially, the 'font half' of the CAC R-2000. Thanks to its higher compression ratio,* the R-1000 was expected to deliver 650 hp on 87 octane fuel (versus 600 hp for the Wirrway's R-1340 S3H1-G). For CA-19 armaments trainers, it was proposed that the CA-14A's armoured cowling ring be retained.**

In one structural detail, the CA-19 differed from both the Wirraway series and the Wallaby. The steel-tube fuselage structure was to be covered in light alloy rather than fabric (as was the Wirraway) or plywood (as per the Wallaby). Thus, the CA-19 fuselage had more in common with the US-built AT-6 Texan than with its Australian predecessors. The CA-19 empennage was unique to the type -- although obviously based upon the CA-14A tailplane.

In the initial CA-19 concept, both front and rear cockpit canopies were similar to that of the sliding hoods of the Wallaby Mk.X. After much debate, it was decided that the CA-19 would feature a framed canopy based on that of the Wirrway. The CA-19's windscreen was also based on that of the Wirraway, albeit, reshaped to suit a revised forward upper decking design.

The CA-19 dispensed with the Wirraway's synchronized forward-firing guns. In their place, the CA-19 would retain the outboard wing gun positions of the CA-14A. It was envisioned that basic trainer versions would have one (or two) 0.303" Browning guns. Armaments trainers would have two 0.50" Brownings (with optional wing racks) or twin AC-20 cannons.

CAC dubbed the CA-19 project the 'Nulla-nulla' (the Dharuk Aboriginal word for a Fighting Stick) and proposed that the RAAF adopt that name. AFHQ in Canberra disapproved this hyphenated name. In its place was substituted Wirga, a small nulla-nulla in the Wargamay language. Thus the CA-19 was ordered into production for the RAAF as the Wirga T.Mk.I. Unfortunately for CAC, this RAAF order was cancelled in late August 1945 -- before the prototype Wirga had even flown.

[To be continued]
_________________________________

* R-1000 compression ratio was from 6.5:1 to 6.75:1. The Wirrway's R-1340 S3H1-G was 6:1.

** Presumably, the armoured cowling ring was to allow for the possibility of the CA-19 being pressed into emergency combat service as had happened to the CA-2 Wirraway.
_________________________________
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on June 11, 2014, 03:11:28 AM
'Super Boomer' - Part 10 - The Commonwealth Aircraft CA-19 Wirga trainer

CAC 's prototype CA-19 Wirga T.Mk.I first flew in late Jan 1946. Compared with the CA-14A Wallaby fighter, the CA-19 had a longer span wing. The CA-14A's wing panels had joined on the centre line. But the CA-19 featured a new centre section to which the outer wing panels were joined. This gave the Wirga a wing span of 36 ft 1 in versus 34 ft 5 in for the Wallaby.

Following the pattern of the Wallaby, the Wirga was assigned 'recycled' RAAF serials. The A69 sequence up to -150 had been for the Curtiss A-25 Shrike but these orders were cancelled. Thus, the serial sequence for the CA-19 Wirga trainers began with A69-151.

A69-151 flew with a hand-built prototype CAC R-1000 7-cylinder radial. The CA-19 flew much as expected but, as previously recounted, the RAAF had already cancelled its orders for the Wirga T.Mk.I series. As a result, A69-151 was re-engined with a CAC-built Pratt & Whitney R-1340 S3H1-G Wasp 9-cylinder radial to become the prototype CA-19 Wirga T.Mk.II. Using stockpiled stocks of these Wirrway engines, Wirga T.Mk.I components already begun at Fisherman's Bend were completed as Wirga T.Mk.II armaments trainers -- T.Mk.IIAs with 0.50" guns, T.Mk.IIBs with wing racks, and T.Mk.IICs with AC-20 cannons.

In the postwar environment, surplus AT-6 Texan components were available very cheaply. To take advantage of this windfall, Canberra ordered stocks of 600 hp P&W R-1340-AN1 (S1H1) Wasp radials from the US along with AT-6 engine bearers, cowlings, and two-blade Hamilton Standard propellers. These ex-USAAF components were incorporated into the next Wirga variant, the T.Mk.IIIA. All of these aircraft were gunnery trainers fitted with twin AC-20 cannons in their wings.

CAC had made several attempts to develop an improved canopy for the Wirga. Late model T.Mk.IIs and the T.Mk.III featured Wirraway-style canopies with reduced framing. But none of CAC's 'bubble' canopies had been acceptable to the RAAF -- mostly because of projected costs. In 1949, a new option became available -- adapting the canopy from North American's new T-28 Trojan trainer to the cockpit of the CA-19 Wirga. This concept was acceptable to the RAAF and CAC began delivering Wirga T.Mk.IVs fitted with North American-supplied canopies in 1951.

The final model of Wirga was the T.Mk.V, basically T.Mk.IIIs remanufactured to T.Mk.IV standard. As these aircraft entered RAAF service, they displaced earlier model Wirgas which, in turn, eclipsed the Wirraway in the target-towing role. Beginning in 1955, the more economical CAC CA-25 Winjeel began replacing the CA-19s. The Wirga T.Mk.IVs and T.Mk.Vs continued on as armaments trainers until 1959.

[Fin]
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on June 17, 2014, 08:48:27 AM
Blame this on Old Wombat ...

'Super Boomer' - Part 11 - Royal Australian Navy Air Wing in WWII

The air wing of the Royal Australian Navy was re-formed in late 1943 to operate shipboard aircraft -- both catapult observation types and potential carrier operation. Numbering of naval aircraft was addressed by adding the RAN's old ANA (Australian Naval Aeroplane) prefix on to RAAF serials.

The RAAF was responsible for basic training but RAN performed both carrier deck and catapult training using ex-RAAF Avro Cadets. Two 643 Cadets (ANA6-6 and ANA6-9) were fitted with floats for catapult training. Another pair of Cadets (ANA6-13 and ANA6-14)* were equipped with arrestor gear for simulated deck landings.

Prior to the establishment of RAN training, the Navy had taken over operation of the RAAF's Fleet Cooperation Unit, No.9 Squadron. With crews comprised of seconded RAAF personnel, No.9 Sqn operated  Supermarine Seagulls as catapult aircraft aboard surviving RAN light cruisers, HMAS Australia and (when she returned to service in 1945) HMAS Hobart. RAN Seagulls also flew land-based coastal patrols on behalf of the RAAF.

The first RAN fighter aircraft were Brewster Buffalos courtesy of the US Army Air Force. The Buffalos were ex-RAAF aircraft returned to the USAAF at Eagle Farm, QLD. The initial plan was to fit the Buffalos With arrestor hooks to act as occupational conversion trainers. But these aircraft were land-based Brewster 339Ds and naval gear for Buffalos proved difficult to find by the summer of 1943. Instead, the 'land lubber' Buffalos were assigned to what became the RAN's Fighter Opponent Training (FOT) unit.

The Navy's FOT unit was formed at Eagle Farm Airfield at Meeandah (just outside of Brisbane), sharing the field with the US Army Air Force. Inevitably, the RAN Buffalos became the main sparring partner for local USAAF fighters -- with the portly 'Billy'** simulating Japanese opponents. The FOT later developed into detachments stationed at various RAN airfields (Eagle Farm becoming FOT Det 4).

By the middle of 1944, few of the surviving RAN Buffalos could be made airworthy. In Sept 1944, the RAN began receiving ex-RAAF Boomerang Mk.Is to replace the 'Billy' fighter-trainer. The RAN's first combat fighter was the navalized CA-14A Wallaby. The first were converted Wallaby Mk.VIs with arrestor gear and catapult spools added.

[To be continued]
____________________________________

* ANA6-13 was written off in a simulated deck landing accident. Another RAAF Cadet (A6-33) was then 'hooked' as replacement, ANA6-33.

** With its obvious allusion to a warm brew, a teapot reference was probably inevitable. Former RAAF Buffalos in RAN service were A51-3, '7, '9-to-'16, and A51-16 (A51-1, '8 and '17 had all been reduced to spares to support the RAN Buffalo fleet).

NB: RAN Buffalo sideview was modified from an RAAF Buffalo profile by Pierre-Andre Tilley.
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on June 17, 2014, 08:51:28 AM
'Super Boomer' - Part 12 - CA-14 Wallaby Fighters for the RAN

Navalization of Wallaby fighters was a production line modification performed before delivery at the Commonwealth Aircraft Company's Fisherman's Bend plant.

'Bounce' was a navalized Wallaby Mk.XA* of the Royal Australian Navy. This aircraft belonged to the RAN's Fighter Opponent Training unit. By 1945, FOT Det 4 was offically assigned to train American pilots of the US Seventh Fleet, so 'Bounce' had been repainted in a standard, late-war US Navy fighter scheme.

Features to accommodate operations with the USN included the use of an AN/ARC-5 radio 'command set' and Bell & Howell 16mm gun camera (replacing the outboard armament). Due to the USN connection, RAN roundels were used with added US-style 'bars' and standard RAN white recognition markings. A light insignia grey '44' on the nose shows that 'Bounce' was FOT Det 4's fourth aircraft. A local distinction was sky blue trim on the tail intended to change the rudder's outline to resemble that of the Japanese Zero fighter.**

_________________________________

* As FOT aircraft, Wallaby Mk.XAs were armed only with cowl-mounted 0.50" Browning guns for self-defence. The Wallaby wing-root gun positions were blanked off. Most FOT aircraft had their outer starboard gun ports blocked off as well (although some carried a 16mm gun camera in each wing).

** Earlier, a captured Zero had been test flown from Eagle Farm against USAAF fighters. An airworthy Ki.43 was also assembled there from the remains of three captured examples.
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: uncle les on June 17, 2014, 01:38:03 PM
Inspiring.
Just wonderful vision on that, I agree with Logan.. it really does look more right than it should
Time until somebody builds one.. 10...9...8...
Les.. are you out there ?

hmmm....   I appear to have missed this when it happened - but I'm across it now..  and I like it.  ( Shout louder next time Brian )  the Wallaby was in actuality the name given to a feeder liner proposal ( For which I have the great privilege of possessing an original brochure with GA drawings n'all - when I'm home I'll dig it out for academic interest - meanwhile http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/CAC%20Wallaby.htm (http://www.airwaysmuseum.com/CAC%20Wallaby.htm)  gives you an idea ) but the concept presented here predates that and I think I prefer this single engined fighter concept to be a "Wallaby" rather than the twin engined regional airliner.

Nevertheless, excellent background story there and I think I have enough raw materials to have a go at something like this in 1/32..  like I need an excuse !!  ;)

Nicely done Apophenia.. nicely done !  :)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Old Wombat on June 17, 2014, 09:10:07 PM
I feel exceptionally honoured to be blamed for this! 8)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: GTX_Admin on June 18, 2014, 03:17:11 AM
Wow!!!  I love those last two.
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: uncle les on October 27, 2014, 08:32:49 PM
Ooh look what appeared after reading this thread !
http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=4856.0 (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=4856.0)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: KiwiZac on June 17, 2016, 11:07:10 AM
I'm rather behind on seeing all this...wow, Apophenia, WOW!!! Bravo! A fantastic history and some stunning profile work.

I have previously-built Harvards and 190s going spare...those Wirgas are looking very attractive...
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on June 23, 2016, 04:20:54 AM
Many thanks 'Zac! I'd love to see the Wirga in polystyrene ... especially the T.Mk.IV  :)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: uncle les on June 24, 2016, 08:19:01 AM
I see the links on my pics broke so I reloaded using pics from my own website.  More here: http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=4856.15 (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=4856.15)
(http://uncleles.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ac5150.jpg)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: KiwiZac on July 01, 2016, 05:20:48 AM
Top job Les! What a looker!

Apo - what donor airframes and bits do you suggest for building a Wirga T.Mk.IV in 1/72?
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on July 01, 2016, 11:34:56 AM

'Zac: For the Wirga T.Mk.IV, you'd need a Harvard/Texan for the fuselage + empennage + cowl/prop, a Fw 190 for the wings + main undercarriage, and a Trojan/Fennec for the cockpit framing/canopy.

Were I bold enough to try it, I think I'd try to blend the Fw 190's lower fuselage into the Harvard upper. More PSR maybe but less fuss than building up the wing fillets, I'd guess.

An alternative to a Trojan/Fennec kit would be the vacuform canopy (72003) from Rob-Taurus  http://www.rob-taurus.cz/ (http://www.rob-taurus.cz/)

Looking forward to seeing the Wirga built!  :)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: KiwiZac on July 02, 2016, 02:49:49 PM
Well, as it happens I have examples of each of those three already built to use as spares sources. I'll keep you posted!
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: Old Wombat on July 02, 2016, 03:09:40 PM
My Fw-190 & my Boomerang are waiting to be bashed together into a Sea Wallaby, with the assistance of a Sea Hurricane, whose hook arrangement I'm going to copy for the build.


I will get to it - I promise! ;)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on July 03, 2016, 11:42:12 AM
Good news 'Zac. Looking forward to both of these builds  :D
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: KiwiZac on July 09, 2016, 06:04:46 AM
 8) 8)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/C3168E69-3262-464A-BB6C-AA23E9B8850E_zpspe3aabg6.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/C3168E69-3262-464A-BB6C-AA23E9B8850E_zpspe3aabg6.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: KiwiZac on July 09, 2016, 11:05:33 AM
I *will* do a separate WIP thread, but I just wanted to say that I actually have three each Harvard and 190...

(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/38880D03-36EA-4C27-AD2A-71A46B3C0036_zpsead0iqqs.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/38880D03-36EA-4C27-AD2A-71A46B3C0036_zpsead0iqqs.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: KiwiZac on July 11, 2016, 05:30:40 AM
The thread for my Wirga triplets project can be found here (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=6505.0). Thanks for the inspiration and extra info, Apo!
Title: Re: 'Super Boomer' - CAC CA-14 Wallaby
Post by: apophenia on July 11, 2016, 12:28:21 PM
Cheers 'Zac.  Very much looking forward to this one  :)