CA-15 “Kangaroo” 76 Squadron, 1950

rickshaw · June 12, 2020, 11:46:50 PM

CA-15 "Kangaroo" 76 Squadron, 1950

After successfully transforming the Wirraway into an emergency fighter in 1942 known as the Boomerang, Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation under designer Fred David (an Austrian Jew who had also designed aircraft in Japan before the war) began work on what was to be the CAC 15, a purposed designed interceptor. The Boomerang had suffered because of the choice of engine, which lacking a turbocharger did not supply sufficient power at altitude. The CAC 15 was to fix that. David, impressed by reports of the Fw190 from overseas had originally planned to use a radial engine. However, a shortage of such powerful engines because of the war situation had forced CAC to turn to the inline Griffon engine instead.

The Griffon powered prototype however did not fly until 1945, just before the end of the war. It was a successful design and capable of over 448 mph. The RAAF by this time was looking more seriously at alternative designs and decided against the CAC 15, in favour of the P-51 Mustang produced under license in Australia. Jet engined aircraft were also in the offing and possessed superior climb and speed characteristics. However in 1946 100 CAC 15s were ordered as they were superior to the P-51 in climb and speed at extreme altitude.

The CA15 as it became officially known equipped three RAAF squadrons in the years 1948 until 1953. Two of those squadrons served as part of BCOFJ (British Commonwealth Occupation Forces Japan) in Japan. They also served briefly in the Korean War as part of the UN forces employed there. They were replaced by Meteor Jet Fighters in 1951. The CA15 was christened with the nickname "Kangaroo" by some wag in the press. This was never it's official RAAF nomenclature.

The Kit

The kit is a CMK resin one. It depicts an aircraft from 76 Squadron RAAF. It has taken over two years to build. It was not a happy experience with two propeller blades breaking and needing replacement. It was brush painted using Vallejo acrylics.

NARSES2 · June 13, 2020, 12:28:09 AM

I've always liked the CA-15 and have built that kit myself (still got one in the stash). Czech Master kits can be very nice, but the smaller parts can be very, very delicate and fragile. I've had control sticks break simply by the act of looking at them. Or so it would seem $:-\$

Well done Brian

DogfighterZen · June 13, 2020, 05:09:42 AM

Simple but effective!

chrisonord · June 13, 2020, 06:00:21 AM

That is very nice indeed. I had a scout round for that kit just last week as I had an idea to make one fleet air arm aircraft.

Chris

kitnut617 · June 13, 2020, 06:04:19 AM

Noice!!!

Makes me want to build the one I have too ---

The Wooksta! · June 13, 2020, 08:43:31 AM

Is that done with the Novascale decals? I did the same kit with the same decals a good decade ago. Seeing the photo reminded me that it's sitting in a cabinet across the room.

rickshaw · June 13, 2020, 07:09:48 PM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on June 13, 2020, 08:43:31 AM
Is that done with the Novascale decals? I did the same kit with the same decals a good decade ago. Seeing the photo reminded me that it's sitting in a cabinet across the room.

Novascale it was, Lee. Good guessl

The Wooksta! · June 14, 2020, 02:03:48 AM

Recognised the sharkmouth.

Found a box with three of them in it. I knew I had one or two, but three? Still, I thought it was a lovely kit. Apparently the Kora one is even better, but I've never managed to get my hands on one.

chrisonord · June 14, 2020, 02:52:30 AM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on June 14, 2020, 02:03:48 AM
Recognised the sharkmouth.

Found a box with three of them in it. I knew I had one or two, but three? Still, I thought it was a lovely kit. Apparently the Kora one is even better, but I've never managed to get my hands on one.

Do you want to swap one for.some.beer tokenage Lee?
Chris

rickshaw · June 14, 2020, 03:22:46 AM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on June 14, 2020, 02:03:48 AM
Recognised the sharkmouth.

Found a box with three of them in it. I knew I had one or two, but three? Still, I thought it was a lovely kit. Apparently the Kora one is even better, but I've never managed to get my hands on one.

I'd take Chris up on his offer, Lee, if I was you. I've been after the Kora for some time to no avail.

chrisonord · June 14, 2020, 03:38:47 AM

lfmodels.com have the Kora kit in stock, €45.
Chris

The Wooksta! · June 14, 2020, 04:03:35 AM

Quote from: chrisonord on June 14, 2020, 02:52:30 AM
Quote from: The Wooksta! on June 14, 2020, 02:03:48 AM
Recognised the sharkmouth.

Found a box with three of them in it. I knew I had one or two, but three? Still, I thought it was a lovely kit. Apparently the Kora one is even better, but I've never managed to get my hands on one.

Do you want to swap one for.some.beer tokenage Lee?
Chris

At the minute, no, but if I change my mind, I'll give you first refusal. Sound fair?

Hannants may still have some of the CMR kit in stock. It's one of their mid 90s kits, with a reasonable amount of detail and some decals, but thankfully not masses of etch.

chrisonord · June 14, 2020, 04:12:24 AM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on June 14, 2020, 04:03:35 AM
Quote from: chrisonord on June 14, 2020, 02:52:30 AM
Quote from: The Wooksta! on June 14, 2020, 02:03:48 AM
Recognised the sharkmouth.

Found a box with three of them in it. I knew I had one or two, but three? Still, I thought it was a lovely kit. Apparently the Kora one is even better, but I've never managed to get my hands on one.

Do you want to swap one for.some.beer tokenage Lee?
Chris

At the minute, no, but if I change my mind, I'll give you first refusal. Sound fair?

Hannants may still have some of the CMR kit in stock. It's one of their mid 90s kits, with a reasonable amount of detail and some decals, but thankfully not masses of etch.

Thankyou Lee, much appreciated.