A62 CAC CA-15
The Prototype aircraft was built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and completed in February 46 it was supposed to be an aircraft to replace the P-51 Mustang. Taxying trials began 12/02/46. First flown 4 March 46, Pilot was Jim Schofields who took her up at 18.10hrs from Fisherman's Bend for the fifteen minute inaugural flight. A further 23 flights made mostly by Scholfields, but also a few flights made by some APU pilots: WgCmdr J.E.Harper, Sqd Ldrs D.R. Cuming and G.C. Brunner. Total flight time when handed to RAAF 16 hrs and 35 mins. Delivered to RAAF unit 1APU on 2 July 46. More pilots flew her from Point Cook: WgCmdr G.D. Marshall, Sdr Ldrs G.H. Shiells and C.W. Stark and finally Flt Lieut J.A.Lee Archer. These flights came to an abrupt ending when Archer suffered a hydraulic failure ( later found to be a leaking ground test gauge) on approach to Point Cook on 10 December 46, which left him no choice but to orbit and burn off fuel. The main gear was only halfway down and unretractable and could not be lowered any further. The tail wheel was down and locked though. On landing this struck the strip first causing the aircraft to porpoise and finally the airscoop dug in. The aircraft settled back on the fuselage and skidded to a stop, heavily damaged. Total flight time at this point 43 hrs and 25 mins. To CAC Fishermans Bend 02 february 47 for repairs then to ARDU (Aircraft Research and Development Unit). The aircraft acheived a speed of 502.2 mph after a 4000ft dive on 25 May 48 flown by Flt Lt Archer. The highest calibrated level flight was 448mph (721Km/h) at 26400ft. The project was cancelled 01 May 50 and the aircraft was transfered to 1AD at Laverton and converted to componants. The engines returned to Rolls Royce as they were 'leased'. General characteristics
Performance
Length: 36 ft 3 in
Wingspan: 36 ft
Height: 12 ft 2 in
Empty: 7,540 lb
Loaded: 12,340 lb
Engines: 1 x Rolls Royce Griffon Mk 61 (inc. twostage, two-speed blower)
Maximum cruising speed: 448 mph
Maximum speed achieved: 502.2 mph
Ferry range: 2,450 miles
Service ceiling: 39,000 ft
Rate of climb: 4,900 ft/min