In the desperate early days of the Pacific War when the Japanese onslaught presented a genuine threat to Australia a project was set in train to develop an indigenous fighter against the potential disruption in supply from Britian and the US. Based on the two-seat Wirraway the appropriately named Boomerang flew just six months after the initial concept. The first half of this beautifully produced and well-illustrated account covers the development and testing of this fighter before moving onto its operational service. Initially deployed as a fighter in defence of western and northern Australia, the ‘Boomer’ had the misfortune to arrive just as significant numbers of Spitfires had arrived that were immeasurably superior fighters. However, the rugged and reliable aircraft was issued to two army co-operation squadrons that saw intensive service in the tropical skies of New Guinea and Bougainville. In the most arduous conditions, its manoeuvrability and robustness were greatly appreciated as it marked targets for artillery and fighter bombers. Illustrated with photographs and colour profiles this is a really useful addition to the bookshelf of both historians and modellers. Although at first sight expensive for a book of this size, it is worth it for the detailed insight into the development of an aircraft that has a unique place in aviation history.

FlyPast

In the desperate early days of the Pacific War when the Japanese onslaught presented a genuine threat to Australia a project was set in train to develop an indigenous fighter against the potential disruption in supply from Britian and the US. Based on the two-seat Wirraway the appropriately named Boomerang flew just six months after the initial concept. The first half of this beautifully produced and well-illustrated account covers the development and testing of this fighter before moving onto its operational service. Initially deployed as a fighter in defence of western and northern Australia, the ‘Boomer’ had the misfortune to arrive just as significant numbers of Spitfires had arrived that were immeasurably superior fighters. However, the rugged and reliable aircraft was issued to two army co-operation squadrons that saw intensive service in the tropical skies of New Guinea and Bougainville. In the most arduous conditions, its manoeuvrability and robustness were greatly appreciated as it marked targets for artillery and fighter bombers. Illustrated with photographs and colour profiles this is a really useful addition to the bookshelf of both historians and modellers. Although at first sight expensive for a book of this size, it is worth it for the detailed insight into the development of an aircraft that has a unique place in aviation history.

Andrew Thomas - Author and Historian