CAC Boomerang

Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules

Here's one of my all-time favourite air-to-air photos. It shows Flt Lt Alf Clare at the controls of Boomerang A46-126, BF-S, "Sinbad", over Queensland in 1944. Clare was one heck of a fighter pilot, who is credited with 5 victories flying Buffalos with 453 Sqn over Malaya/Singapore. Pre-war he'd been an omnibus driver and was quite old to be a fighter pilot - he was 31 at the time of the Japanese attack on Malaya.

 
That's a pretty impressive record, making ace in a Buffalo in that theatre. Did he survive the war?
 
SaparotRob said:
That's a pretty impressive record, making ace in a Buffalo in that theatre. Did he survive the war?
Click to expand...

Yes he survived the war but, sadly, his eyesight started failing and he died very young in 1965. I have a letter from one of his 453 Sqn colleagues who stated that "Alf was a mighty bloke." I don't think there's much higher praise that one Aussie can bestow on another.
 
Last edited:
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Similar threads

M
A Turbosupercharged Boomerang?
Replies
4
Views
690
Gnomey
eBay: CAC CA-4 WOOMERA
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
Gnomey
CAC CA-15
Replies
13
Views
4K
GTX
P
Cactus Air Force
Replies
1
Views
3K
Capt. Vick
Scuola Caccia Elmas
Replies
4
Views
5K
Elmas
Menu
Log in
Register