FORCED LANDING OF A BOOMERANG
POSSIBLY AT POTSHOT, WA
IN JULY 1944

visits since 16 December 2000

Boomerang

Boomerang CA-12, A46-30 (CAC Constructor's No. 853), made a forced landing, possibly in the Potshot area (Exmouth Gulf area) in Western Australia near Learmonth airfield in July 1944. The port wing gun access door blew off in flight, damaging the wing.

A46-30 was sent to No. 4 Aircraft Depot (4 AD) at Kalgoolie for repairs to the wing.

Boomerang A46-30 was delivered to the RAAF on 5 February 1943

A46-30 had originally been delivered to 2 OTU on 5 February 1943. It was moved to 83 Squadron RAAF at Strathpine in Queensland in about March 1943. It was then transferred to 85 Squadron at Guildford in Western Australia in May 1943. It was then detached to Learmonth airfield.

After the war, A46-30 was disguised to look like Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's Altair VH-USB Lady Southern Cross for the film "Smithy". The spinner and guns were removed and a new paint scheme applied.

Boomerang A46-30 disguised as Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's
Lockheed Altair "Lady Southern Cross" for the film "Smithy"

After the film, A46-30 was donated to the Australian Air League in Sydney in August 1946. It stayed there until 1964. By then it had deteriorated due to exposure to the weather and vandalism. Wing Commander Isaacs, the CO of Williamtown, organised the relocation of A46-30 to Willamtown for restoration.

Boomerang A46-30 as it arrived at Williamtown for restoration

No. 481 Maintenance Squadron restored A46-30 and painted it a silver colour. It was then placed on display at an open day at Williamtown in September 1966. It was then repainted to its wartime colour scheme and was placed on display at the entrance to Williamtown air base.

Restored to 85 Squadron war paint, guarding the entrance to Williamtown air base

In 1977 it was returned to Fishermen's Bend for much need refurbishment work and was used in a display to commemorate CAC's 40th Anniversary. Then in 1981, it was restored externally and presented to the Australian War Memorial on loan until May 1994.

After being restored for display at the Australian War Memorial

REFERENCE BOOKS

"Wirraway, Boomerang & CA-15  in Australian Service"
By Stewart Wilson

"Wirraway to Hornet - A History of the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Pty Ltd"
By Brian L. Hill

Click here to E-Mail me with

any information or photographs on the above

©  Peter Dunn 2002
All rights reserved. No part of this home page may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Peter Dunn in writing.

  Genealogy Software
plus 190 Mbytes of Genealogy Indexes & programs

DISCLAIMER
Although every care has been taken in presenting this information some of it may be incorrect or incomplete, hence the creator of this website and/or any researcher or writer mentioned in it disclaim any liability in relation to the information, errors or omissions contained herein. Any person intending to use or rely on this information should first confirm it for themselves from other sources. Nevertheless any corrections or additional information will be most welcome.

This page first produced 25 September 1999

This page last updated 30 January 2002