Boomerangs and Beaufighters

Hi all

1) Boomerangs
Numbers – There are at least 3-4 advanced airworthy restorations – all of which bar one have recently changed hands so that is why some are taking time to get flying.

Despite appearances there is not all that much potential to get a lot more flying due to the excellent job that was done scrapping them after the War. A lot of fuselage frames survived but very few wing centre sections either Boomerang or Wirraway survive and most of these are now incorporated into rebuilds. There are virtually no outer wings left so new build ones have been used.

Everbody says you can use Harvard parts but this is not the case as they are not the same – just similar – and even the original modified T6 wings on Guido ‘s machine were replaced with new build items when these became available from Mathew Dennings fantastic rebuild process.

From my limited knowledge there is no recorded instance of a Boomerang engaging Japanese aircraft but I could be wrong – you are correct in saying that the type was a highly regarded ground attack and FAC type. I suggest however that if Mathew (Mr Boomerang) Denning is lurking that he may have more to add on this.

2) Beaufighters
Yes I have other shots from the “shed” and I will post them but they are very poor owing to no flash and poor light.

I had thought that both UK built sections were roughly the same proportions and as such it will be hard to work out which was which. Be very careful here as at one stage up to six fuselages were floating around including some spare unused ones which may be very hard to identify.

Kindest regards
John Parker

Hi Growler

Thanks for your post.

There are more photos on my Webshots account at http://community.webshots.com/user/setter125 on the boomerang page

Yes I love the Boomerang and of course there are now 2 flying as well as the static original example at RAAF Museum Point Cook. If you search the web there are some extreamly good shots of both flying examples and I will be putting some of my own up soon to add to these although I must yeild to superior photographic ability of some of the pros around now.

I think that there is every chance of at least 3 more airworthy machines in the not to distant future in South Australia and Melbourne and perhaps one or two static machines but you never know the “doings’ for more exist and there is no reason more could not materialise soon.

Kindest Regards
John Parker

and more still

Hi

Guido Zuccoli – The inspiration behind the restoration of the Fiat was a very passionate man about his aircraft and as a result the Fiat reflected a little of the passion in the new paint scheme it now wears- It was also used in a Film shot near Newcastle NSW and I think that this probably is reflected in the color scheme.

I will post a before and after shots on a further post in a few minutes as well as some Boomerang shots as requested.

Kindest Regards
John parker

more than one Demon in Australia

Hi all

There are in fact two Hawker Demons in Australia.

One was recovered from Tasmania many years ago and another which I am a little hazier on is also undergoing a somewhat prolonged restoration to airworthiness here in Queensland and that is the one to which I was referring as it is in Queensland at Caboolture Museum. Jack McDonald was doing the restoration but it has not progressed much in recent years and I would dearly love to see it restored and flying.

The first aircraft was restored many years ago and is on display at RAAF Museum Point Cook I believe. It is a beautiful machine and really looks the part.

I have included photos of both aircraft.

Kindest regards
John parker