CAC CA-15

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

CA-15 "Kangaroo"
Type Fighter
Manufacturer Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
Maiden flight 4 March 1946
Retired 1950
Status Scrapped
Primary user Royal Australian Air Force
Number built 1

The CAC CA-15, also known unofficially as the CAC Kangaroo, was an Australian propeller-driven fighter plane designed by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) during World War II.

Contents

[edit] History

During 1943, following the success of CAC in rapidly designing and mass-producing the small, makeshift Boomerang fighter, development began on a full-fledged interceptor and escort fighter.

Although it bore a superficial resemblance to the North American Mustang (P-51), the CA-15 was an unrelated aircraft, with quite different dimensions and performance, which was intended to replace the P-51.[1] Its development was slowed by a recommendation from CAC head Lawrence Wackett, that CAC build Mustangs under licence, rather than bear the cost of developing a unique aircraft.

The Kangaroo was originally intended to use a radial engine, the 2,300 hp (1,715 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 with a turbocharger. However, that engine became unavailable — causing further delays in development — and it was decided to fit an in-line Rolls-Royce Griffon Mk 61 (2035 hp/1517 kW). Engines for a prototype were leased from Rolls-Royce.[2] It was intended that any production engines would have a three-speed supercharger.

The sole prototype did not fly until March 4, 1946.[3] The CA-15's overall performance was clearly superior to existing single-engine, propellor-driven fighters. It was also faster than most first-generation jet fighters. The prototype was handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for tests, and the type received the RAAF designation A-62. According to aviation historian Darren Crick, the "highest calibrated level flight" was 448 mph (721 km/h) at 26,400 ft (8,046 m).[4] On May 25, 1948, Flt Lt J. A. L. Archer achieved a speed of 502.2 mph (803 km/h) over Melbourne, in a shallow dive of 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

However, by this time, superior jet aircraft had emerged and the design never went into production. The prototype was scrapped in 1950, and the engines were returned to Rolls Royce.[5]

[edit] Operators

Flag of Australia Australia

[edit] Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 36 ft 6 in (11.05 m)
  • Wingspan: 36 ft (10.97 m)
  • Height: 12 ft 2 in (3.71 m)
  • Empty weight: 7,540 lb (3427 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 12,340 lb (5,609 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× Rolls-Royce Griffon supercharged V-12, 2,035 hp (1,517 kW)

Performance

Armament

[edit] See also

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Crick, 2003
  2. ^ Crick, 2003
  3. ^ Crick, 2003
  4. ^ Crick, 2003
  5. ^ Crick, 2003

[edit] Bibliography

  • Francillon, René J. The Royal Australian Air Force & Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Pacific. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers Inc., 1970. ISBN 0-8168-0308-0.
  • Wilson, Stewart. Wirraway, Boomerang & CA-15 in Australian Service. Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd., 1991. ISBN 0-958797-88-9.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Lists relating to aviation
General
Military
Accidents/incidents
Records