Description
CAC CA-19 Boomerang Mk.II
5 Squadron RAAF, World War 2
Bougainville Island, 1945
The CAC Boomerang was the first Australian designed and built combat aircraft.
No. 5 Squadron operated the Boomerang during the later years of World War II. The squadron had a long history dating back to its establishment as an Australian Flying Corps training unit in World War 1.
In 1941, No. 5 Squadron was reformed, this time as an army co-operation squadron. Equipped with the CAC Wirraway, the unit was tasked with providing reconnaissance and support to ground forces. The Boomerang began arriving at the squadron in early 1944, and in November the unit deployed overseas to Bougainville. They were tasked with tactical reconnaissance, ground-attack operations, artillery spotting and aerial resupply missions for Australian ground troops fighting the Japanese in the Pacific. Following Japan’s surrender in September 1945, No. 5 Squadron became involved with dropping supply containers to Australian troops and delivering propaganda leaflets to isolated Japanese forces. Disbandment orders came on 7 January 1946, by which time the harsh tropical climate had rendered many of the aircraft unserviceable.
Boomerang A46-228 was delivered to No. 5 Squadron at Piva Airfield in the first half of 1945. Research by Richard Hourigan has confirmed the code for A46-228 as BF-M.
Lithographic Artprint (code P0040)
Suitable for framing, this high-quality A3 size (297x420mm; 11.7×16.5in) print is produced on sturdy 300gsm white card. The artist works closely with the specialist print-house to ensure the highest standard.
The prints are protected in an individual clear plastic sleeve and delivered flat packed.
