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| The CAC Mustang is an Australian variant of the North American P-51 Mustang. It was built under license by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in the final stages of World War II, and though it was too late to see combat, it did participate in the Occupation of Japan after VJ-Day. |
The CAC Mustang is an Australian variant of the North American P-51 Mustang. It was built under license by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in the final stages of World War II, and though it was too late to see combat, it did participate in the Occupation of Japan after VJ-Day.
Design and Development
Local Assembly of the P-51D (CA-17; Mk 20)
In December 1942, the Australian War Cabinet began looking to acquire a fighter aircraft with greater range than the Supermarine Spitfire. As a result, arrangements were made in November 1943 for Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation to build 690 aircraft through kits supplied by North American Aviation (NAA). Only the first 100 unassembled aircraft were delivered, and four reportedly had the "razorback" style canopy of the P-51B/C variant. 80 of the kits were assembled under the designation CA-17 Mustang Mk 20 with Packard V-1710-3 Merlin engines, the remainder being used for spare parts. The end of the war led to most of the orders being cancelled.
Local Manufacturing of the CA-18 Mustang (Mk 21–23)
In late 1946, CAC received a contract to build 170 (later reduced to 120) Mustangs locally from scratch. These aircraft carried the new designation CA-18.
The first 40 were designated Mustang Mk 21 and powered by Packard V-1710-7 Merlins. 66 Mustang Mk 23s followed with British-built Rolls-Royce Merlin 66 or 70 engines.
A total of 14 Mustang Mk 22 reconnaissance aircraft were built with F24 cameras, and a further 14 were converted from Mk 21s.
Additional orders for the CA-18, as well as 250 aircraft designated CA-21, were canceled in favor of further, US-built P-51D and P-51K variants.
Operational History
The first production CA-17 Mustang Mk 20, serial number A68-01 (not to be confused with the US-built prototype A68-1001), made its first flight on 29 April 1945 from Fishermans Bend. The aircraft was handed over to the RAAF on 4 June 1945 and was tested by the No. 1 Aircraft Performance Unit. Trials ended in October 1946, and the aircraft was placed in storage until 1953. Only 17 CA-17s were delivered to the RAAF by VJ-Day.
The first operational units to receive the CAC Mustang were No. 84 and No. 86 Squadron. Additional squadrons equipped with Mustangs (both American and locally-built) were No. 3, No. 4, No. 76, No. 77, and No. 82 Squadron as well as No. 21, No. 22, No. 23, No. 24, and No. 25 Squadron of the Citizen Air Force. The RAAF replaced its last Mustangs with de Havilland Vampires in 1959, while the last Mustang-equipped Citizen Air Force squadron, No. 24, retained its Mustangs until the CAF was disbanded in 1960.
Variants
CA-17 Mustang Mk 20: Aircraft built from kits supplied by NAA with V-1710-3 engines. 80 built.
CA-18 Mustang Mk 21: Locally-built aircraft with V-1710-7 engines. 40 built.
CA-18 Mustang Mk 22: Reconnaissance variant with F24 cameras. 14 newly built aircraft and 14 converted from Mk 21s.
CA-18 Mustang Mk 23: Variant with British Merlin 66 or 70 engines. 66 built.
CA-21: 250 ordered but not built.
Dart Mustang
Civilian modification of a CA-18 Mustang with a Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engine. 1 modified from a Mustang Mk 22 but never flown in this configuration.
Surviving Aircraft
Australia
A68-71 – CA-17 Mustang Mk 20 under restoration for display in Melbourne, Victoria.
A68-104 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 21 airworthy.
A68-105 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 21 airworthy at Tyabb, Victoria. Owned by Judy Pay and Richard Hourigan and painted as Mustang Mk IV KH677/CV-P.
A68-107 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 21 airworthy at Pay's Air Service in Scone, New South Wales.
A68-110 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 21 airworthy at Caboolture Warplane Museum in Caboolture, Queensland. Painted as P-51D A68-769.
A68-118 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 21 airworthy at Morwell, Victoria. Owned by Jeff Trappett.
A68-137 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 23 in storage.
A68-170 "Duffy's Delight" – CA-18 Mustang Mk 23 airworthy with the Air Force Heritage Squadron, RAAF Base Point Cook.
A68-199 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 22 airworthy at Shellharbour Airport, New South Wales. Owned by Shaun Browne.
United Kingdom
A68-5 – remains of scrapped CA-17 Mustang Mk 20 in storage at Classic Flying Machine Collection.
United States
A68-1 – CA-17 Mustang Mk 20 airworthy painted as P-51D 44-15757 "Jeannie Too". Privately owned in Troy, Alabama.
A68-39 – CA-17 Mustang Mk 20 airworthy at Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon. Painted as P-51D 44-14826.
A68-100 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 21 airworthy painted as P-51D 44-14777 "Flying Dutchman". Privately owned in Snellville, Georgia.
A68-175 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 23 airworthy painted as P-51D 44-74950 "Slender Tender Tall". Privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware.
A68-187 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 22 airworthy at Lewis Air Legends in San Antonio, Texas. Painted as P-51D 44-74839 "La Pistolera".
A68-198 – CA-18 Mustang Mk 22 airworthy painted as P-51D 45-11483 "Short-Fuse-Salle". Privately owned in Ozona, Texas.
Replica
A full-scale replica of a CA-18 Mustang Mk 23 is located at the Queensland Air Museum at the Caloundra Airport. Construction of the replica began in May 2005 and was placed on static display on 27 December 2008. It carries the fictitious serial number A68-201, continuing the original sequence which ended with A68-200.
Accidents and Incidents
12 April 1962: CA-18 Mustang Mk 21, G-ARUK (ex-A68-113), piloted by Ron Flockhart, entered a cloud and crashed into the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, Australia. Flockhart was killed in the accident.
27 June 1970: CA-18 Mustang Mk 22, VH-DBB (ex-A68-193), piloted by Donald Busch, stalled and crashed after completing a flyover at an airshow in Bendigo, Australia. The aircraft caught fire, killing Busch.
11 June 1973: CA-18 Mustang Mk 21, VH-IVI (ex-A68-119), was destroyed in a crash in Sydney, Australia, killing its pilot, Raymond J. Whitebread.
19 October 1973: CA-18 Mustang Mk 22, PI-C651 (ex-A68-192), crash landed at Manila International Airport in Manila, Philippines. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, crashing again on 10 July 2011 after suffering a mid-air collision.
6 June 1976: CA-18 Mustang Mk 22 "Miss Zulu", VH-BOZ (ex-A68-199), crashed on takeoff in Bankstown, Australia. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and as of 2019 it flies under the registration VH-URZ.
5 July 1976: CA-17 Mustang Mk 20 "Miss Yankee", VH-BOY (ex-A68-39), crashed in Bankstown, Australia. The aircraft was subsequently rebuilt, and as of 2002 it flies under the registration N551D.
5 August 1993: CA-18 Mustang Mk 22 "The Best Years Of Our Lives", F-AZIE (ex-A68-198), suffered an in-flight fire. The aircraft was badly damaged, but returned to the skies the following year. As of 2002, it flies as "Short Fuse Salle" (N286JB).
10 July 2011: CA-18 Mustang Mk 22 "Big Beautiful Doll", D-FBBD (ex-A68-192), collided in mid-air with Douglas A-1D Skyraider F-AZDP (ex-Bu. 124143) in Duxford, UK. Rob Davies, the pilot of the Mustang, bailed out, and his aircraft crashed in a nearby field. The pilot of the Skyraider managed to safely land the damaged aircraft, despite losing its right wingtip. This was the same aircraft as the one that crashed on 19 October 1973.
Specifications (CA-18 Mustang Mk 21)
Crew: 1
Length: 9.83 m (32 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 11.28 m (27 ft 0 in)
Height: 3.71 m (12 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 3,567 kg (7,863 lb)
Gross weight: 4,763 kg (10,500 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Packard V-1650-7 Merlin liquid-cooled V12 engine, 1,110 kW (1,490 hp)
Propellers: 4-bladed
Maximum speed: 636 km/h (395 mph, 380 kn)
Range: 1,529 km (950 mi, 825 nmi)
Service ceiling: 12,771 m (41,900 ft)
Rate of climb: 17.65 m/s (3,475 ft/min)
Guns: 6 × 0.50 caliber (12.7mm) AN/M2 Browning machine guns
Hardpoints: 2 x 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs or 10 x rockets
Bibliography
Anderson, Peter N. Mustangs of the RAAF and RNZAF. Sydney, Australia: A.H & A.W Reed PTY Ltd, 1975. |
| CAC Mustang A68-1. |
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| CAC CA-17 Mustang A68-71. |
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| CAC mustang A68-809. |
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| Australia, circa 1945. RAAF CAC North American Mustang aircraft at an air-strip. (Australian War Memorial 128011) |
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| Australia, circa 1945. RAAF CAC North American Mustang aircraft at an air-strip. (Australian War Memorial 128013) |
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| Australia, circa 1945. RAAF CAC North American Mustang aircraft at an air-strip. (Australian War Memorial 128010) |
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| Australia, circa 1945. RAAF CAC North American Mustang aircraft at an air-strip. (Australian War Memorial 128012) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 being prepared by RAAF and CAC technicians for its first flight at Fishermens Bend. This aircraft is the first of its type to come off an Australian assembly line and was built by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation. This first CAC Mustang aircraft is the forerunner of many to be in service with the RAAF. The first flight was made at Fishermens Bend in the presence of senior officials of the Department of Aircraft Production and Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and senior officers of the RAAF. (Australian War Memorial VIC0941) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 being prepared by RAAF and CAC technicians for its first flight at Fishermens Bend. (Australian War Memorial VIC0944) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 being prepared by RAAF and CAC technicians for its first flight at Fishermens Bend. (Australian War Memorial VIC0945) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 being prepared by RAAF and CAC technicians for its first flight at Fishermens Bend. (Australian War Memorial VIC0943) |
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| Laverton, Victoria, circa 1945. CAC CA-18 Mustang XX (P-51D) aircraft, serial no. A68-32, on the airfield at RAAF Station Laverton. The nickname 'Collie' was painted on the nose of the aircraft in support of War Loan fundraising activities. (Australian War Memorial VIC1945) |
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| Laverton, Victoria, circa 1945. CAC CA-18 Mustang XX (P-51D) aircraft, serial no. A68-35, on the airfield at RAAF Station Laverton. The nickname 'Cunderdin' was painted on the nose of the aircraft in support of War Loan fundraising activities. (Australian War Memorial VIC1944) |
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| Laverton, Victoria, circa 1945. CAC CA-18 Mustang XX (P-51D) aircraft, serial no. A68-34, on the airfield at RAAF Station Laverton. The nickname 'Harvey' was painted on the nose of the aircraft in support of War Loan fundraising activities. (Australian War Memorial VIC1943) |
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| CAC CA-17 Mustang Mk 20 aircraft on the tarmac at RAAF Base Laverton. This aircraft, serial number A68-33, was among the group of P-51D’s (A68-1 to A68-80) that were assembled by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation largely from kits imported from the USA. This aircraft was also known as ‘Busselton’ and was used in support of War Loan fundraising activities. A68-33 was converted to components and written off in September 1958. (Australian War Memorial VIC1948A) |
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| CAC CA-17 Mustang Mk 20 aircraft on the tarmac at RAAF Base Laverton. This aircraft, serial number A68-33, was among the group of P-51D’s (A68-1 to A68-80) that were assembled by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation largely from kits imported from the USA. This aircraft was also known as ‘Busselton’ and was used in support of War Loan fundraising activities. A68-33 was converted to components and written off in September 1958. (Australian War Memorial VIC1948B) |
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| Morotai, Netherlands East Indies. October 1945. Flight Lieutenant George Bell of No. 1 Communications (Ferry) Flight sitting in the pilot seat of a new CAC Mustang Fighter, serial number AAF-44-84487, at Pitoe Airfield. He is flying the aircraft to No. 77 Squadron, RAAF, based at Labuan, Borneo, and then on to Iwakuni in Japan. (Australian War Memorial P02482.001) |
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| 21 June 1946. A 500lb bomb and three types of rocket loaded on the wing racks of a CAC CA-18 Mustang fighter aircraft, serial no. A68-48, as a demonstration to senior officers attending an Air Support Course at RAAF Station Laverton of weapons that can be used in air support operations. (Australian War Memorial VIC1963) |
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| Laverton, Victoria, 21 June 1946. Senior service officers attending an Air Support Course at RAAF Station Laverton inspecting a CAC CA-18 Mustang fighter aircraft, serial no. A68-2, loaded with wing tanks containing gelatrol before taking part in a demonstration of 'close support' as part of the course. (Australian War Memorial VIC1962) |
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| Werribee, Victoria, 21 June 1946. A geletrol tank burning after being dropped from a CAC CA-18 Mustang fighter aircraft in a demonstration attack as part of an Air Support Course conducted for senior service officers at RAAF Station Laverton. (Australian War Memorial VIC1965) |
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| Werribee, Victoria, 21 June 1946. Smoke from a fire after a geletrol tank had exploded after being dropped from a CAC CA-18 Mustang fighter aircraft in a demonstration attack as part of an Air Support Course conducted for senior service officers at RAAF Station Laverton. (Australian War Memorial VIC1966) |
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| Williamtown, NSW, 4 December 1946. Aerial view of a formation of four CAC C-18 Mustang aircraft flying along the coast near RAAF Williamtown. (Australian War Memorial VIC2047) |
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| Williamtown, NSW, 4 December 1946. Flight Lieutenant R. H. Glassop DFC (right) and another pilot in front of a CAC C-18 Mustang aircraft on the tarmac at RAAF Williamtown. (Australian War Memorial VIC2046) |
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| Williamtown, NSW, 4 December 1946. Group portrait of five pilots in front of a CAC C-18 Mustang aircraft on the tarmac at RAAF Williamtown. Left to right: Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) R. H. Glassop DFC; Flt Lt. I. A. Lyons; Flt Lt R. R. Alcock; unidentified; unidentified. (Australian War Memorial VIC2045) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 being prepared by RAAF and CAC technicians for its first flight at Fishermens Bend. (Australian War Memorial VIC0948) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 on the tarmac at Fishermens Bend prior to its first flight. The first flight was made at Fishermens Bend in the presence of senior officials of the Department of Aircraft Production and Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and senior officers of the RAAF. (Australian War Memorial VIC0940A) |
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| CAC test pilot James Schofield poses with A68-1 at the time of its first flight April 1945. |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. The test pilot, Flight Lieutenant J. E. Schofield, preparing to enter the cockpit of CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 for the aircraft's first flight. The first flight was made at Fishermens Bend in the presence of senior officials of the Department of Aircraft Production and Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and senior officers of the RAAF. (Australian War Memorial VIC0947) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. The test pilot, Flight Lieutenant J. E. Schofield, preparing to enter the cockpit of CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 for the aircraft's first flight at Fishermens Bend. The first flight was made at Fishermens Bend in the presence of senior officials of the Department of Aircraft Production and Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and senior officers of the RAAF. (Australian War Memorial VIC0942) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. The test pilot, Flight Lieutenant J. E. Schofield, in the cockpit of CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 ready to take the aircraft for its first flight. The first flight was made at Fishermens Bend in the presence of senior officials of the Department of Aircraft Production and Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and senior officers of the RAAF. (Australian War Memorial VIC0946) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 being run-up preparatory to its final flight. The first flight was made at Fishermens Bend in the presence of senior officials of the Department of Aircraft Production and Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and senior officers of the RAAF. (Australian War Memorial VIC0940) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 flying over the airstrip at Fishermens Bend during its first flight. The first flight was made at Fishermens Bend in the presence of senior officials of the Department of Aircraft Production and Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and senior officers of the RAAF. (Australian War Memorial VIC0949) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 flying over the airstrip at Fishermens Bend during its first flight. The first flight was made at Fishermens Bend in the presence of senior officials of the Department of Aircraft Production and Com-monwealth Aircraft Corporation and senior officers of the RAAF. (Australian War Memorial VIC0951) |
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| Melbourne, Victoria, 29 April 1945. The test pilot, Flight Lieutenant J. E. Schofield, getting out of the cockpit of CAC Mustang aircraft A68-1 on completion of the aircraft's first flight at Fishermens Bend. The first flight was made at Fishermens Bend in the presence of senior officials of the Department of Aircraft Production and Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation and senior officers of the RAAF. (Australian War Memorial VIC0950) |
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| Mustang A68-67 above the CAC factory and airfield at Fishermans Bend, Melbourne in 1946. |
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| CAC Mustang production circa 1948 alongside the Comair bus line, a post-war venture to utilize the plant |
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| Williamtown, NSW, January 1948. CAC Mustang aircraft of No 78 (Fighter) Wing, RAAF Williamtown being prepared for a flight to Western Australia to participate in Australia Day activities. (Australian War Memorial P01254.022) |
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| CAC Mustang A68-96 piloted by Wing Commander R C Cresswell in flight from RAAF Pearce to RAAF Williamtown, January 1948. The aircraft was one of four from No 78 (Fighter) Wing RAAF Williamtown to fly to Western Australia to participate in Australia Day activities, The others were piloted by Squadron Leader J Kinninmont DFC, Flight Lieutenant R H Glassop DFC and Flight Lieutenant R Grace. The photograph was taken from GAF Lincoln A73-10 of No 82 (Bomber) Wing RAAF Amberley Qld piloted by Wing Commander K R Parsons DFC AFC and which provided escort to the Mustangs. (Australian War Memorial P01254.024) |
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| CAC Mustang A68-96 piloted by Wing Commander R C Cresswell in flight from RAAF Pearce to RAAF Williamtown, January 1948. The aircraft was one of four from No 78 (Fighter) Wing RAAF Williamtown to fly to Western Australia to participate in Australia Day activities, The others were piloted by Squadron Leader J Kinninmont DFC, Flight Lieutenant R H Glassop DFC and Flight Lieutenant R Grace. In the photograph can be seen the wing of GAF Lincoln A73-10 of No 82 (Bomber) Wing RAAF Amberley Qld piloted by Wing Commander K R Parsons DFC AFC and which provided escort to the Mustangs. (Australian War Memorial P01254.023) |
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| Williamtown, NSW, 11 February 1948. CAC Mustang A68-78 of No 78 (Fighter) Wing RAAF Williamtown shortly after a landing accident at RAAF Williamtown. (Australian War Memorial P01254.025) |
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| Williamtown, NSW, 24 February 1948. CAC Wirraway aircraft and a CAC Mustang aircraft of No 2 Operational Training Unit RAAF Williamtown. (Australian War Memorial P01254.068) |
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| Williamtown, NSW, 24 February 1948. Maintenance staff servicing a CAC Mustang aircraft of No 2 Operational Training Unit RAAF Williamtown. (Australian War Memorial P01254.067) |
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| Williamtown, NSW, 24 February 1948. Armament personnel servicing Browning M2 0.50 inch machine guns fitted to CAC Mustang aircraft of No 2 Operational Training Unit RAAF Williamtown. Also being serviced (center left) is a bomb carrier for 11½ lb practice bombs used in pilot training programs. (Australian War Memorial P01254.051) |
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| CA-18 Mustang Mk 21 (P-51D) in 2005. (Ian Creek) |