Commonwealth CA-15
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation · Australia · first flew 1946 · fighter
The Commonwealth CA-15 was the fastest piston-engine fighter developed in Australia, designed as a next-generation interceptor to succeed the CA-12 Boomerang and complement the locally built Mustang. It represented the pinnacle of Australian wartime aircraft development.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Bubble canopy over a deep fuselage with a distinctive radiator chin intake |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Australia's fastest piston fighter, designed as a Spitfire and Mustang successor
- Sleek low-wing monoplane with Rolls-Royce Griffon engine and six-bladed contra-rotating propeller
- Bubble canopy over a deep fuselage with a distinctive radiator chin intake
Distinguished by its large six-blade contra-rotating propeller, deep fuselage with chin-mounted radiator, bubble canopy, and a long tapered wing reminiscent of a scaled-up Spitfire.
Specifications
- The Commonwealth CA-15 has a length of 11.15 m (37 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.82 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 711 km/h (442 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Design work began in 1943 and the prototype first flew in March 1946 — too late for WWII service. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon 61 driving contra-rotating propellers, it achieved impressive speeds but faced competition from jet aircraft that were already entering service. Only one prototype was built before the programme was cancelled.
Variants
Only one prototype was constructed; no production variants were developed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service. The sole prototype was used for test flying at Fishermens Bend before being preserved.
Related aircraft
- Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Woomera
- CAC Wirraway
- Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Sabre
- Avia S-92
- Hughes XF-11
- Junkers EF 126
- Lavochkin La-150
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