CAC CA-15
Encyclopedia : C : CA : CAC : CAC CA-15
| CAC CA-15 ("Kangaroo") | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | ||
| Role | Air superiority, bomber escort | |
| Crew | 1 | |
| First flight | 1946 | |
| Entered service | Never | |
| Manufacturer | Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 36 ft 3 in | 11.05 m |
| Wingspan | 36 ft | 10.97 m |
| Height | 12 ft 2 in | 3.71 m |
| Wing area | ? | |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 7,540 lb | 3427.27 kg |
| Loaded | 12,340 | 5609.09 kg |
| Maximum takeoff | ? | |
| Capacity | ||
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 1 x Rolls Royce Griffon Mk 61 (inc. two stage, two-speed blower) | |
| Power | 2035 hp | 1517 kW |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum cruising speed | 448 mph | 721 km/h (@ 26,400 ft) |
| Maximum speed achieved | 502.2 mph | 808 km/h (after diving 4,000 ft) |
| Combat range | ? | |
| Ferry range | 2,450 miles | 3,920 km |
| Service ceiling | 39,000 ft | 12,870 m |
| Rate of climb | 4,900 ft/min | 1,531 m/min |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 6 x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns, with 250 rounds per gun. | |
| Bombs | ? | |
| Missiles | None | |
| Rockets | ? | |
The CAC CA-15, also known unofficially as the CAC Kangaroo, was an Australian propellor-driven fighter plane designed by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) during World War II.
During 1943, following the success of CAC in rapidly designing and mass-producing the small, makeshift Boomerang fighter, development began on a full-fledged interceptor and escort fighter.
Although it bore a superficial resemblance to the North American Mustang (P-51), the Kangaroo was an unrelated aircraft with quite different dimensions and performance. In fact, its development was slowed by a recommendation from CAC head Lawrence Wackett that CAC build Mustangs under licence, rather than bear the cost of developing a unique aircraft.
The Kangaroo was originally intended to use a radial engine, the 2,300 hp (1,715kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 with a turbocharger. However, that engine became unavailable — casuing further delays in development — and it was decided to fit an in-line Rolls-Royce Griffon Mk 61 (2035hp/1517kW). It was intended that production engines would have a three-speed supercharger.
The sole prototype did not fly until March 6, 1946. The Kangaroo's overall performance was clearly superior to existing single-engine, propellor-driven fighters. It was also faster than most first generation jet fighters. The prototype was handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for tests and the design received the RAAF designation A-62. On May 25, 1948, Flt Lt J. Archer achieved a speed of 502.2 mph during a flight over Melbourne. However, by this time, superior jet aircraft had emerged and the design never went into production. The prototype was scrapped in 1950.
External links
| Related content | |
|---|---|
| Similar aircraft |
P-51 -
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 -
Lavochkin La-7 -
Kawasaki Ki-100 -
Nakajima Ki-84 - F8F Bearcat - Supermarine Spiteful - Hawker Sea Fury |
| Designation series |
|
| Related lists |
|
|
Lists of Aircraft | Aircraft manufacturers | Aircraft engines | Aircraft engine manufacturers
| Airlines | Air forces | Aircraft weapons | Missiles | Timeline of aviation |
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.