July 1944 - Forced landing of a Boomerang, at Guildford in Western Australia

FORCED LANDING OF A BOOMERANG
AT GUILDFORD, WA
ON 5 JULY 1944

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Boomerang

Boomerang CA-12, A46-30 (CAC Constructor's No. 853), made a forced landing, at Guildford in Western Australia on 5 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

In 1977 it was returned to Fishermans 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.

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