The aircraft first flew in 1964 and 563 examples were eventually produced, mostly for the usaf except for a few development examples of the cancelled us navy f111b and 24 examples delivered to the. The book contains some examples of his shots from the last 25 years, and has articles such as. Don logan, an exf111a wso and author of six previous military aviation books has released a superb 320 page pictorial history of the f111 aardvark containing more than 740 colour photos. The final f111 strike aircraft to be displayed at historical museums, will begin its retirement journey to the us. Lincoln, canberra and f111 in raaf book books on war. The f111 had massive problems to overcome in its early days, but overcome them it did. The royal australian air force was formed in 1921 and since then has been involved in all major conflicts involving australians. The variable sweep wings have been the most obvious innovation of the f111. Stewart wilson, in his book lincoln, canberra and f111 in australian. Air force bids farewell to final f111 as it leaves for. The australian government ordered 24 f111cs to equip the royal australian air force. The f111 pioneered several technologies for production aircraft, including variablesweep wings. Topics include f111, f111c, rf111c, frf111cg, f111, pig, raaf, airforce, aardvark, jets, aircraft, military.
Introduction the f 111 is a dualseat, supersonic, variable geometry wing strike aircraft that has enjoyed raaf and usaf service for the last 30 years. A8126 a8126 was the first raaf f111c to be accepted and flown by a raaf crew. Alan stephens book, going solo, gives a comprehensive. Four exunited states air force usaf f111as were purchased by australia and. Much like what happened with the f 4 prior to the introduction of the f 111 forty years ago, the raaf will obtain twentyfour twoseat f a18fs to serve as an interim capability until the f 35 lightning ii comes online. The closest the bombers came to being used in anger, however, was during the australianled interfet intervention into east timor in september 1999. Air force traditions have become a powerful part of australias national consciousness. The raaf was the last operator of the f111, with its aircraft serving until.
The final f111 has been stripped down and is being carried as cargo inside a c17 to honolulu. F111 in raaf service 19732010 aero australia magazine. The raaf f111g aircraft retain the usaf sac ew suite, and thus have the most capable ecm fitted to any aircraft in the southern hemisphere. General dynamics f 111 nos 1 to 5 developed under the tfx program the f 111 was an extremely controversial program initially due to early losses of aircraft and massive cost escalations. General dynamics f111 nos 1 to 5 developed under the tfx program the f111 was an extremely controversial program initially due to early losses of aircraft and massive cost escalations. This book has a very detailed section on nicky barrs career with 3 squadron. The f111 pioneered several technologies for production aircraft, including variablesweep wings, afterburning turbofan engines, and automated terrainfollowing radar for lowlevel, highspeed flight. The aircraft has also now been fully repainted in the south east asian sea camouflage colours of the 1980s. The raaf retired the f111 on december 3 after 37 years of service, with a flypast of ipswich, brisbane, and the gold and sunshine coasts by six. History of the f111 bomber aircraft in raaf service. Raaf f111 major accidents date tail callsign sqn crew location cause 28apr77 6 falcon 33 6sqn baker usafclarkson armidale 1217h 30. The f111 is the most significant aircraft in the raafs history.
General dynamics f111c wikimili, the free encyclopedia. Adfserials image gallery photo tribute to the mighty f111. The fifth installment in this popular series, this edition deals with the usaf f 111 aardvark, which was used so effectively against such american foes as libya and iraq. Usually, i enjoyed squadronsignal books much more than this one. The general dynamics f111 aardvarkpage contains all related products, articles, books, walkarounds and plastic scale modeling projects dedicated to this aircraft. Dec 03, 2010 the raaf retired the f 111 on december 3 after 37 years of service, with a flypast of ipswich, brisbane, and the gold and sunshine coasts by six f 111s accompanied by four f a18fs, and a final f. Introduction the f111 is a dualseat, supersonic, variable geometry wing strike aircraft that has enjoyed raaf and usaf service for the last 30 years. Buy raaf military books battle of britain bomber command. A88 also participated in the spectacular flying display at the f111 retirement ceremony at raaf amberley in december 2010.
The general dynamics f111 was one of the most technically innovative designs among military aircraft, introducing the variablesweep wing, terrainfollowing radar, militaryrated afterburning turbofan engines and a selfcontained escape module among other features. While its introduction into service was controversial, it quickly found its way into the hearts and minds of australians, and none more so than the men and women of boeing. The f111 has been an incredible success story, and the raaf has had a love affair with the pig for nearly 40 yearsas has the australian public. The general dynamics f111 aardvark is a retired american supersonic, mediumrange interdictor and tactical attack aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic nuclear bomber, aerial reconnaissance, and electronicwarfare aircraft in its various versions. Among the more than 20 books on australian mainly defence history that he has published are the third brother. Cover story the f111c aircraft for australia raaf a. Australias f 111 has played an important role as a test platform for clearing a wide range of new internally carried munitions being developed for the f 22a and later jsf u. Several of the boronepoxy doublers applied to upper surface of raaf f111c wing pivotfittings wpfs have disbonded. Lincoln, canberra and f111 in raaf book books on war australia.
F 111 a82 being loaded at raaf amberley for transportation to raaf edinburgh 5th august 2011. The first edition was published in 1978, before the f 111 had really a chance to prove the millions of dollars sunk it. The aircraft first flew in 1964 and 563 examples were eventually produced, mostly for the usaf except for a few development examples of the cancelled us navy f 111b and 24 examples delivered to the. Wing flew what turned out to be the longest fighter combat mission in history. Former raaf chief of air force and f111 pilot geoff shepherd looks back at his involvement with the pig, operationally, logistically and politically.
The raaf f 111g aircraft retain the usaf sac ew suite, and thus have the most capable ecm fitted to any aircraft in the southern hemisphere. Developed in the 1960s by general dynamics, it first entered service in 1967 with the united states air force. Air force prematurely mothballed its electronic attack force of 40 grummangd ef111a ravens in 1999, after an acrimonious public debate. Australian air force, considered the f4c phantom, the ra. Keeping the tradition going, this book is crammed full of highly detailed color photographs of every conceivable detail of this aircraft. Simpson and duffy ww1 australian hero gallipoli childrens book not only a hero. The raaf was the last operator of the f111, with its aircraft serving until december 2010 the f111 is unique among the aircraft that the royal australian air force has operated throughout its history. The first test flight in fort worth, texas in 1968 highlighted a major structural test failure of the wing carry through box. The general dynamics f111c nicknamed pig is a variant of the f111 aardvark mediumrange interdictor and tactical strike aircraft, developed by general dynamics to meet australian requirements. We have the largest online range of raaf squadron unit history books that describe the operation history of many raaf squadrons during wartime and peacetime. The raafs fleet of f111s included 28 f111cs and 15 f111gs.
This is a list of the general dynamics f111 aircraft operated by the royal australian airforce raaf between 1973 and 2010. In mid2006, an raaf f111 was chosen to scuttle the north korean ship pong su which had been involved in one of australias largest drug hauls in recorded history. The royal australian air force 1929 1991 and a volume of official war history covering raaf involvement in vietnam 196275. When it finally arrived in 1973, after 10 years of controversy, it gave australia for the first time a genuine, independent strategic strike capability. The general dynamics f111 aardvark is a retired american supersonic, medium range. Lincoln, canberra and f111 aircraft in raaf service. Exraaf f111c arrives at the queensland aviation museum image credit. Raaf f111 pig pigs tales was the official royal australian air force f111 fleet retirement, showcasing and bidding farewell to australias f111 aircraft. The m61 gun out of a f111 in a ground firing rig at edinburgh. The general dynamics f111c nicknamed pig is a variant of the f111 aardvark.
Raaf f111 retires to the us australian defence magazine. The general dynamics f111 aardvark is a retired american supersonic, mediumrange. List of general dynamics f111 aircraft operated by the royal. The book does capture the biggest problem of the fighterbomber it was not a fighter. F111 aardvark pilots flight operating manual by united states air force. Several more f111s were purchased from the united states and used for ground training and. The operational career of the f111 came to an end on 3 december 2010 at raaf amberley, near brisbane, queensland, australia, as a crew in an f111c serial number a8125 of the royal australian air force touched down for the aircrafts last landing.
The design was based on the f111a model but included longer wings and strengthened undercarriage. The first edition was published in 1978, before the f111 had really a chance to prove the millions of dollars sunk it. This book is a pictorial history of the f111, the greatest jet fighterbomber ever built. Raaf f111c a81xx unknown amberley jun1976 photographer wal nelowkin topside flypast. The royal australian air force 1929 1991 and a volume of official war history covering raaf involvement in. Dec 02, 2015 raaf f111 operations 2 december 2015 the operational career of the f111 came to an end on 3 december 2010 at raaf amberley, as a crew in an f111c serial number a8125 of the royal australian air force touched down for the aircrafts last landing. Chief of air force, air marshal geoff brown said aircraft a8, will be gifted to the pacific aviation museum in hawaii as a token of the close ties between australia and america through a long period of coalition operations.
Raaf f111 operations 2 december 2015 the operational career of the f111 came to an end on 3 december 2010 at raaf amberley, as a crew in an f111c serial number a8125 of the royal australian air force touched down for the aircrafts last landing. A degree of acrimony had arisen over the f111 purchase, in both usa and australia, in a number of areas of government, opposition, usaf, raaf and bureaucracies. The australian government ordered 24 f111cs to equip the royal australian air force raaf in. Front view of two royal australian air force f111 aircraft in flight during exercise kangaroo 81. Compared to the basic f 111c airframe, the f 111g carries an additional 585 usg of jp4 fuel which is about 3,500 lb or 11% more than the basic capacity.
Royal australian air force f111 at the avalon airshow 2007. With three decades of raaf operational service under its belt, the f111 has had a colourful history in every respect. The aerospace centre, formerly the air power studies centre apsc, was established by the royal australian air force at its fairbaim base in august 1989 at the direction of the then chief of the air staff now the chief of air force. List of general dynamics f111 aircraft operated by the. Chief of air force caf is the most senior appointment in the royal australian air force. Several more f111s were purchased from the united states and used for ground training and testing purposes, or as a source of spare parts. Approximately 550 aircraft were built between 1964 and 1973, with model variants from f 111a to f 111f. So as the aircraft goes out of service in december 2010, it is with much pleasure that i introduce this book. The air force and its personnel have made a significant global contribution since 1921. A book that considers the heritage values of amberley, which chronicles its. F 111c a81xx amberley 05jul1977 photographer unknown via wal nelowkin 3 aircraft depot first f 111c 15 week tms e servicing aircraft viewed. F111c strike aircraft raaf association national council.
New teeth for the f 111 the agm142 stand off weapon, page 83. It was also the first aircraft to enter service which could make blind. Former raaf chief of air force and f 111 pilot geoff shepherd looks back at his involvement with the pig, operationally, logistically and politically. Alan stephens, in the official history of the postwar air force, described the f111 as the regions preeminent strike aircraft and the raafs most important acquisition. He enjoys cricket and reading, writing and publishing on military aviation. Service history of the f111 wing pivot fitting upper. Took part in the red flag exercise in the usa during 2002, where the raaf f111 had a serviceability rate of 100%. F111 a82 being loaded at raaf amberley for transportation to raaf edinburgh 5th august 2011.
Air commodore lax is a graduate of the raaf academy, raaf school of air navigation, raf cranwell, raaf staff college, usaf air war college and kennedy school of government, harvard university. This is a list of the general dynamics f111 aircraft operated by the royal australian airforce between 1973 and 2010. Written and compiled by aero australia editor stewart wilson, this fullcolour publication is a tribute to a great aircraft, and commemorates its achievements as a frontline striker bomber. An extraordinary amount of research went into the book. A8125 was the first f111c to land at amberley that year. Airpower doctrine, role of the f111, weapons, aup upgrade, 1st person account of an f111 ejection air vice marshall then wing commander dave rogers from a8141, and the history of amberley. Home hall of fame f111c strike aircraft the f111 is the most significant aircraft in the raaf history. Designed as a costsaving, multirole interceptor, naval fighter and strike bomber, its evolution prioritised the latter role and. An illustrated life of simpson, the man with the donkey a is for anzac primary school gallipoli book brief history of the third reich by m. Since december 2010 when the f111 37year old fleet was retired from active service, museums and heritage organisations across australia have been eager. The general dynamics f 111 was one of the most technically innovative designs among military aircraft, introducing the variablesweep wing, terrainfollowing radar, militaryrated afterburning turbofan engines and a selfcontained escape module among other features. The ship had been sitting in snails bay, off birchgrove, while the government considered its fate, and it was decided in march 2006 it would be scuttled by air attack. Air force today volume 1 number 2 1996 strike publications pl, amberley, queensland, australia a magazine for the royal australian air force.
Wing commander paul long is the commanding officer of the raaf 36th squadron who is flying the cargo. The f 111 had massive problems to overcome in its early days, but overcome them it did. A8126 now has a permanent home in the fast jets hangar at the raaf amberley aviation heritage centre. Qam as part of a program where the royal australian air force raaf has restored and is putting on longterm loan six raaf general dynamics f111 aardvarks to deserving museums around the country, the queensland air museum qam located in caloundra west, australia has recently received their f111. The other pilots in the book are hugo armstrong, peter panitz and dickie williams. Compared to the basic f111c airframe, the f111g carries an additional 585 usg of jp4 fuel which is about 3,500 lb or 11% more than the basic capacity. The raafs fleet of f111s included 28 f111cs of which four were converted to rf111c reconnaissance aircraft and 15 f111gs.
October 2012 saw the australian federal government finally release the eagerly awaited for preferred recipients for the remaining of the once tip of the spear raaf strike force the f111 fleet. The royal australian air force raaf also ordered the type and began operating f111cs in 1973. Most browsers these days will open pdf files, if you are having trouble. Approximately 550 aircraft were built between 1964 and 1973, with model variants from f111a to f111f. The fleet was grounded until 6 april 1973 when a8126 was formally.
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