1/72 CA.13 Boomerang ‘Australian Emergency Fighter’

The Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-13 Boomerang represents a unique chapter in the Australian aviation industry - it is the only fighter of Australian design and manufacture to be actively involved in World War II combat. The Boomerang was created as a contingency solution when Australia faced a direct threat of Japanese invasion and traditional fighter deliveries from the UK and US were inadequate or delayed. The design was based on available technology and experience with licensed production of North American types, which allowed for rapid development and commencement of mass production. The Boomerang was a compact, rugged and well-armed machine optimised for ground support and defence at lower altitudes, where it was particularly useful in operations in New Guinea and other islands in the Southwest Pacific.

It was produced in three main versions: the CA-12 Boomerang Mk.I, the CA-13 Boomerang Mk.II and the reconnaissance variant CA-19. In total, over 250 were built and the machines served with five RAAF combat squadrons (No. 4, 5, 83, 84 and 85 Squadrons) and other support units. Although the Boomerang was not comparable in performance to the best Allied or enemy fighters of its day, it proved to be a reliable machine for tactical support, reconnaissance and airspace defence over its own troops. For the modeller, the Boomerang presents an interesting and less common subject with its distinctive profile and a variety of camouflage schemes typical of the RAAF in the Pacific theatre.

The 1:72 scale Special Hobby kit offers a model version of the CA-13 Boomerang Mk.II with one frame of plastic parts, a frame of clear parts and a set of detailed resin parts for the interior and exterior, specifically the wheels and exhaust manifold. The decals cover five historic machines, one from each RAAF squadron that operated with the Boomerangs in combat conditions. Four variants are executed in the classic camouflage scheme with fields of green and brown combined with light blue undersurfaces, while the fifth machine is all green. This variety allows modellers to choose a particular unit and deployment period to suit their own preferences. The package does not include the paint or adhesives needed for assembly.