This has been bothering me for years. Everytime I see a model or a picture of either a Brewster F-2A Buffalo or a Commonwealth CA-12 Boomerang I can’t help thinking that there has been an elaborate hoax perpetrated by someone for many years.
These aircraft exist okay, but they couldn’t have been designed by legitimate aircraft companies. They had to be designed by either Walt Disney or the people at Looney Toons. They look more like characatures than real fighter aircraft.
Does anyone else agree and do any other aircraft qualify? If so, let me know.[:D]
You’re thinking of the Wirraway, which was an indigenous design based on the Texan/Harvard. The Boomerang was also indigenous, but an original design.
schmeter pit,
I like both aircraft, especially the Buff, but I have to say that I can see where you’re coming from. Another favorite of mine which I also think looks kinda radical or goofy (for it’s time) is the Curtiss Demon.
I’m praying that someone comes out with a decent kit of this beast in 48th besides the resin job that’s now long gone. I guess I’ll just have to wait. I’m a patient fella…
Hey guys, don’t get in a tail spin, I never said that these were ugly. I happen to like their lines myself, I only meant that they look very cartoonish, just like the Polikarpov I-15 and I-16s. In fact, I modified the old Airfix F2A-1 to an F2A-3 and was lucky enough to take an award for it at a local model contest.
The Boomerang was not a modified T-6 or SNJ. It was a new fighter aircraft which used the wings, tail, and engine of the their license-built North American NA-16 trainer, called Wirraway, and a fuselage of their own design.
As for the Buffalo, Brewster should have stuck with building Rolls Royce car bodies, for all it contributed to the war effort.
Hello All,
I agree about the Buffalo! How about the Boeing XF-32? It looks like
a fish about to swallow a big worm! And then there was the old airline,
PSA I think?, that had smiley faces on their A/C noses! Oh, what about
some of the planes from the '30s like the Bell Aircuda(?) had twin
pusher props and maned 37mm in the forward nacelles. All funny
looking A/C
Good Hunting,
rdxpress
Blackwolfscd is correct that the CA-12 Boomerang was an indeginous Australian design, but it still borrowed the Wirraway tail section. It was planned that the a shortened Wiiraway wing and center section would be used but this didn’t last beyond planning stages. The need for stronger landing gear required a new center section but still used most of the Wirraway’s jigs that were available. Its somewhat hidden, but the Boomerang was very rooted in the Wirraway design.
I knew the Boomerang borrowed some components from the Wirraway, just didn’t know it was that extensive or, indeed, that it originally was to have been even more extensive.
Though, now that I look at the tail, I’m ashamed that I didn’t notice the shape! [:I][:p] C’este la vie!
Hey Steve, I am a big fan of the Demon! I read an article about it that compared it to the Zero. Guess what the Demon could out perform the Zero on turns, climb rate, and top speed just to name a few. History was kind to the Zero and the Demon was forgotten. Often discribed as an engine with wings, I think it has very beautiful lines. If you have or need Demon pictures get a hold of me.[:)]
Speaking of the Brewster, has there ever been a kit released in 1/32 by anybody? Vinyl, resin, Vacuform, balsa, granite, ANYTIHNG? And yea I agree the buffalo is awful cartoony looking. Any help? T.L.
With ref. to the Wirraway. It was an Australian design developed from the NA Yale(I dont know the model number). The boomerang was developed from the Wirraway and was a very good little fighter. It did, however achieve a good deal of fame as an Army Co-operation aircraft in the mountains of Papua/New Guinea. The reason that it did not get greater coverage on a world wide basis is that with the Battle of the Coral Sea, Milne Bay and Kakoda the Japanese advance was stemmed and the supply lines to the USA were kept open thus allowing the usage of American supplied aircraft to be used and badly needed factory space to be devoted to other important tasks.
Dai
The Yale was NA-64.
Yale trivia:
France bought a couple of hundred and liked them, even though they were considered underpowered in North America. A ship load was on the way overseas when France fell in 1941, and these were diverted to the RCAF who used them as pilot trainers until they had sufficient of more modern types. The Yales then became wireless operator trainers, with the rear cockpit controls and instruments removed. Surplus Yales were bought by a gentleman named Ernie Simmons, who also had some Swordfish in his back yard in southern Ontario. These all went to auction after his death and that is why so many are still around for such a small production batch (including the one I helped restore for the Western Canada aviation Museum).
The Germans took over the French Yales and flew them as squadron hacks and liaison aircraft. At least a few were shot down.
Bruce