Boomerang Comes Back to Avalon Boomerang Comes
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Boomerang comes back to Avalon A gallant veteran of the Pacific war will make its encore appearance at the Australian International Airshow in February. The CAC Boomerang will take part in a series of flying displays and will also be available for on ground inspection. The aircraft’s participation is in keeping with the Airshow’s main theme, saluting the heroes of the sky, a tribute to a century of military aviation. The Boomerang occupies an important place in Australian aviation history. It was hastily produced at the outbreak of World War Two in response to our urgent need for fighter aircraft. Design work began late 1941 just a fortnight after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The first test flight was carried out on 2nd February and the first operational batch entered service in May. The Boomerang was the only Australian-designed and produced fighter aircraft ever to come off the assembly line. Between 1942 and 1945 more than 250 were made. They were produced at the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation factory at Fisherman’s Bend Victoria. The aircraft was fitted with two 20mm cannon and 4 Browning machine guns. It was slower than its Japanese counterpart (the Mitsubishi A6M “Zero”); the Boomerang was also not as agile and lacked high altitude performance. As a fighter it was not a great success, however Boomerangs gave outstanding service in air sea rescue, and low level infantry support in the Pacific theatre. The Boomerang appearing at the Airshow is part of the Temora Aviation Museum’s collection of classic aircraft. It is just one of a large number of vintage warbirds appearing at Airshow 2015. The event will be staged at Avalon Airport with public sessions on the afternoon and evening of Friday 27 February and then all day Saturday and Sunday. More information - Tom Bennett, Executive Manager Media, (03) 5282 0503 .