Airfix 1/72 CAC Boomerang under construction

[yak face]

G'day pommies , despite not getting in the shed for a few weeks ive finally started this little beaut.This is of course the Airfix CAC boomerang , the only indigenous aussie fighter ever built.The CA 12/13 boomerang was partly derived from the Wirraway a licence produced North american NA 16 , basically a harvard mk 1 (fabric fuselage , slightly swept back wings) and combined a shorter fatter single seat fuselage and the wirraways wings . The resulting fighter was a stocky little thing which actually never got used in aerial combat , the supply of faster allied fighters meaning it saw its best work done in the ground attack and troop support role in the far east. It performed sterling work in this role and was looked on with great affection by the australian soldiers it supported. Anyway enough waffle, this is a great airfix kit first moulded in 1965! Like a lot of airfix from the 60's and 70's ,it has great external detail and good fit but the cockpit is of its time - ie. a seat and a pilot!!! I intend to build a new cockpit and just add a few details to the engine and that should be enough to make a nice build. Its a really nice little kit. The boxing i got off e-bay is from the 80's i think so the decals are fine and the mould hasnt suffered over the years too , bonus!Heres a few pics of the sprues and a bit of work thinning the cockpit sides. cheers tony

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[HAWKERHUNTER]

good luck with this build Tony. Good to see another vintage kit being rescued and built. look forward to seeing your modifications that you are doing.

 

[michaelm]

Nice plane, great to see it good hands, I'm watching.

 

[MrGotty]

Looks like a nice plane, looking forward to seeing this one finished

Scott

 

[yak face]

Thanks guys , its a great looking little aircraft isnt it ? I got a bit of work done on the engine, the kit supplies a back plate with the back row of cylinders moulded on and another piece containing the front row . Its quite good actually but will benefit from a bit of extra detail and with a nice wash should look fine. I decided to add the pushrods from stretched sprue , very delicate as theyre only about 3mm long!!! and I filed a notch in the top of each cylinder head to represent the shape of this area . I dont know yet if ill be adding any ignition wires as they would be just about invisible at this scale anyway.heres the pics , cheers tony

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[dubster72]

That's a nice little kit there Tony. The engine looks good, far too small for my eyes & fumble fingers!

I don't know why, but the box art made me think of the similarities between the Boomerang & the LaGG 5 & 7, though that could just be me!

Keep up the good work!

Cheers

Patrick

 

[Vajled]

superb choice of kit Tony

Keep up a good work

ROman

 

[yak face]

Cheers patrick , yes on the box it does look a bit like an la5 , but when you see the aircraft side on or in plan its a lot chunkier and it looks like the wings are on back to front !! cheers tony

 

[colin m]

When Tony starts a 1:72, you know we're in for something of a treat.

 

[yak face]

Well the engine is painted, im still not sure if im going to add any ignition wires , not that much can be seen when its in the cowl ,and especially with the prop on. Ive done a bit to the cockpit area , painting and starting to make the tubular framework for the sides . cheers tony

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[mobear]

i do like your work tony,very nice

mobear

 

[yak face]

Bit more done on the cockpit yesterday. The tubular framework is complete and fixed to the fuselage halves, and i have made a seat from plastic card.There are a few more tubes to go in yet such as under and behind the seat and through the instrument panel , speaking of which , i made from a piece of plastic card partly drilled to form the instruments . The grey seat (?!) in the pics is the kit item and was the only piece of interior supplied apart from the pilot!!!! Cheers tony

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[mobear]

you`re a madman its stupendous mate in 1/72 phew:clap2:

mobear

 

[yak face]

Hi all , well, this ones been taking a bit of a back seat to the tu22 blinder , but now the blinder's nearing completion ,i can get this moving again. Ive made a harness for the seat using good old wine foil ,pierced with a needle to make eyelets so it resembles a Sutton harness. (if you want more details of how , its on page 2 of my dh 88 comet build)Theres a bit more framework to add to the cockpit , and lots of little bits.I'm still unsure whether or not to cut the canopy open, its a tricky op because the windscreen top section curves in , so its not a straight cut .any ways heres the belts under way and the finished seat, cheers tony

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[treyzx10r]

Tony coming along nicely,you inspired me to score one too, I got the 1/48 LTD kit off evil bay. I'm watching with envy ca'nt wait to see the finished bird!

 

[papa 695]

Great work on the cockpit Tony looks like its going to be another cracker

 

[flyjoe180]

Watching this with interest, as I have the same kit in my stash. Looking good so far, great detail.

 

[Sky Raider]

Top job Tony as usual,

Cheers

Andy

 

[yak face]

Finally got back into the shed yesterday and today so heres a bit more progress on the boomer. Various bits and bobs have been added to the cockpit , the main instrument panel is painted and installed along with a few more tubes i.e. the two running through the I.P. and the inverted V shape that the armour plate fastens to. A floor and firewall/bulkhead has been fabricated and fitted , and the heater box (?) ducting is to be fitted to this.The armour plate and rudder pedal assembly are also ready for painting and fitting. The main things left to make now are the control column, compass , gunsight and various levers then it should look pretty busy in the cockpit . Ive decided to try and crash mould a new canopy using the kit one as a former , then cut off the kit windscreen,use this, and have the crash moulded sliding section in the open position , it would be a shame to have all the detail in there and not really see it! Heres a few pics , including one of my reference doodles copied from internet pics!! cheers tony

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[mobear]

we`re not worthy we`re not worthy some mighty fine scratch building there looks awesome

mobear