CAC CA-4 Woomera (1 Viewer)

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

Wildcat

Major
9,240
1,270
Apr 11, 2005
South East Queensland
woom1.gif


I thought I'd put a picture of a CAC Woomera on the site because I'm guessing most here have never heard of, or seen a picture of this aircraft before. The Woomera was a 3 seat strike-reconnaissance and dive bomber. It was first flown on Sep 19 1941 and was powered by 2 Pratt and Whitney 1200 hp Wasp R1830 radial engines.
The Woomera had a good armament comprising 4x .303 machine guns in the nose plus 2 power operated turrents, each with 2x .303 guns at the rear of both engine nacells. These guns were remotely controlled from the rear cockpit using a sighting periscope.
The engine nacells also housed 2x 250lb bombs, in addition to 2 torpedoes carried under the fuselage center section. 4x 25lb bombs were also carried under each outer wing.
Although the Woomera showed great promise, it never went into production because of the supply of American made bombers which were flooding into the country. Only one other varient was made, the CA-11A which had upgraded engines and 20mm cannons in the nose.
I find this a rather interesting aircraft and can only imagine how it would have coped in combat. I'd be interested to here what others think.[/img]
 

Attachments

  • woomera_138.jpg
    woomera_138.jpg
    11.5 KB · Views: 935
Believe it or not, I have actually studied the Commonwealth Aircraft company a little. I was interested in the Wirraway first as I was looking at the North American NA-16/AT-6/SNJ. I think if commonwealth had built the Woomera and the Boomerang, they both would have been capable airplanes. I actually saw a Wirraway fly while I was in England. I might have a picture of it somewhere, I will have a look around and see if I can find it.
 
The Boomerang was built and saw quite a bit of action. Apparently it was an excellent ground attack aircraft and recieved a lot of praise in this role. Personally, it's one of my favourite planes. Currently there are two airworthy Boomerangs in Australia with a third not to far away!
 

Attachments

  • boomerang1_126.jpg
    boomerang1_126.jpg
    132.5 KB · Views: 687
Whoops, I was looking at my notes on Comonwealth and had noting on the Boomerang. So I either stopped there or just moved on and assumed that none had been built. That's why I said ai studied CAC a little! Thanks for the correction. 8) That is a great pic!
 
Here's some additional shots of the Woomera, which was also known as the Wackett Bomber... named so after its designer, Wing Commander L.J. Wackett.

This is the first aircraft, CA-4 A23-1001...

CA-4WoomeraA23-1001001b.gif

Click for larger image
RAAF Photo

This is the second aircraft, CA-11 A23-1...

CA-11WoomeraA23-1001a.gif

Image source/credit: unknown web


Fade to Black...
 
I have just bought a pic of a Woomera which I am going to send to the RAAF museum. Unfortunately its quite a dark shot so doesnt show the a/c number. Hey ho! :|
 
Here are some details this interesting plane.8)
 

Attachments

  • 236467271_6ffdb2f00a_o.jpg
    236467271_6ffdb2f00a_o.jpg
    105.4 KB · Views: 359
  • 236467270_95e0ba01e0_o.jpg
    236467270_95e0ba01e0_o.jpg
    111.6 KB · Views: 379
  • 233622743_d32c657a8d_o.jpg
    233622743_d32c657a8d_o.jpg
    108.4 KB · Views: 383
  • 233622741_4d13a8943c_o.jpg
    233622741_4d13a8943c_o.jpg
    146.5 KB · Views: 566
  • 233622740_f96a514656_o.jpg
    233622740_f96a514656_o.jpg
    197.8 KB · Views: 344
  • 236467272_f5b0b2b773.jpg
    236467272_f5b0b2b773.jpg
    38.1 KB · Views: 628
The concept of the Woomera in the early war years was great but concept and reality don't always match, its main role's was to be dive bombing, torpedo attack and ground attack , Vengeances and Dauntless's were soon replaced in the dive bomb role usually by P-40s as they could carry as much and look after themselves and the Beaufort as a torpedo bomber was not that successful, a/c the Woomera was to replace . Skip bombing as used at the Battle of the Bismarck Sea put the end to most torpedo attack and a/c like the A-20 , B-25 straffers and Beaufighters proved to be much better in the Pacific thearter.
Don't forget the japanese navy were the probably the most experianced at dodging torpedos in the world as they had trained against there own a/c and the japanese torpedos were faster and longer ranging than any allied torpedo, which also helped the skip bombers as the japs thought they were doing torpedo attacks and actualy turned there ships into the ideal positions for skip bombing.
I think CAC realised they were wasting there time continuing with the Woomera and started the move toward Mustang production in 1944
Great conceptual a/c with alot of advanced features ahead in some thing and dated in some even before production though a major achievment for the fledgling Australian aircraft industry.
 
Last edited:

Users who are viewing this thread

Back