The general dynamics f111 aardvark was a mediumrange interdictor and tactical strike aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare in its various versions. 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. The australian government ordered 24 f 111cs to equip the royal australian air force raaf in. The variable sweep wings have been the most obvious innovation of the f 111. Air force bids farewell to final f111 as it leaves for. The raaf also bought a bunch of attrition replacements and exsac f 111gs, so took delivery of about 46 f 111s in all. The general dynamics f111 aardvarkpage contains all related products, articles, books, walkarounds and plastic scale modeling projects dedicated to this aircraft. A8126 a8126 was the first raaf f111c to be accepted and flown by a raaf crew. The book contains a detailed history of the f111, numerous bw photos, and much technical detail. The f111 had massive problems to overcome in its early days, but overcome them it did. So as the aircraft goes out of service in december 2010, it is with much pleasure that i introduce this book. The fleet was grounded until 6 april 1973 when a8126 was formally. List of general dynamics f111 aircraft operated by the royal. 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.
The royal australian air force was formed in 1921 and since then has been involved in all major conflicts involving australians. 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. Sophisticated as the f 111 was, it too was poorly served, and given the intention of the raaf to use the f 111 to attack pinpoint targets at night, the use of mk 82 unguided bombs made this a mockery. 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. Most of all, as the f111 flies into the history books, we salute the men and women of the raaf who have operated and maintained. The general dynamics f111c nicknamed pig is a variant of the f111 aardvark. Among the more than 20 books on australian mainly defence history that he has published are the third brother. The f111 is the most significant aircraft in the raaf history. Brisbane, and photographer of the raaf f111 since 1973, has published a 56 page hardcover book about the aircraft commemorating 25 years of f111 operations in australia. Navy f111bs, royal australian air force f 111s, british royal air force f111ks, f111 combat operations, and nasa f. Australian air force, considered the f4c phantom, the ra. Home hall of fame f111c strike aircraft the f111 is the most significant aircraft in the raaf history.
Air force traditions have become a powerful part of australias national consciousness. History of the f111 bomber aircraft in raaf service books. Program history, aircraft system description, usaf tactical f111s, strategic fb111s, u. 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. Compared to the basic f111c airframe, the f111g carries an additional 585 usg of jp4 fuel which is.
Several additional f111s were purchased from the united states and used for. The raaf also bought a bunch of attrition replacements and exsac f111gs, so took delivery of about 46 f111s in all. Wing commander paul long is the commanding officer. May 15, 2008 royal australian air force f111 at the avalon airshow 2007.
Great book on the raaf f 111 s development, procurement and service life. The royal australian air force raaf also ordered the type and began operating f111cs in 1973. The raafs fleet of f111s included 28 f111cs of which four were converted to rf111c reconnaissance aircraft and 15 f111gs. The other pilots in the book are hugo armstrong, peter panitz and dickie williams. Australia and the f111 aviation discussion large scale. List of general dynamics f111 aircraft operated by the. The royal australian air force raaf also ordered the type and began. Purchased by the menzies government as an election ploy, the f111 remained in service for nearly 40 years as australias premier strategic strike force element. More than any other australian weapon system, the f111 had the most impact on the development of the raaf as a fighting force, and continued to impact the raaf throughout the aircrafts 37year flying career.
Whittock 100 days to victory dvd winning world war one the western front diaries dvd history battle of. Buy raaf military books battle of britain bomber command. Don logan, an ex f 111a wso and author of six previous military aviation books has released a superb 320 page pictorial history of the f 111 aardvark containing more than 740 colour photos. Goes thru the history of each variant, explaining the different avionics and such. 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 f111s accompanied by four fa18fs, and a final f. 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 f111 is the most significant aircraft in the raafs history.
Raaf f111 major accidents date tail callsign sqn crew location cause 28apr77 6 falcon 33 6sqn baker usafclarkson armidale 1217h 30. This book is a pictorial history of the f111, the greatest jet fighterbomber ever built, and includes 740 color photos covering all models from the f111a through the f111k. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading general dynamics f111 aardvark air vanguard book 10. Very highly detailed on the reasons for and against the raaf having the f111 that the governments of the time pondered about.
Picking the f111 was seen by many as a bold move by the raaf, but the australian government viewed the aircraft as the right solution for its need for a longrange strike aircraft. This is a list of the general dynamics f111 aircraft operated by the royal australian airforce raaf between 1973 and 2010. 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. The idea of using f 111 to attack surface vessels was. Chief of air force caf is the most senior appointment in the royal australian air force. Developed in the 1960s by general dynamics, it first entered service in 1967 with the united states air force.
Also a good description of the armament capabilities of the f111, and finally a lot of nice graphics. Jan 01, 2011 raaf f111 operations a insight to more pig history posted on january 1, 2011 by heritagesupporter jan 2011 in a follow up on the 2010 raaf f111 retirement ceremony, i am now able to show some more interesting items and photos with a connection to flightgear and f111 people i have come to know. A venerable f 111 drops bombs for one of the last times in its long career. This is a list of the general dynamics f111 aircraft operated by the royal australian. Alan stephens, in the official history of the postwar air force, described the f 111 as the regions preeminent strike aircraft and the raaf s most important acquisition. Alan stephens book, going solo, gives a comprehensive. The operational career of the f111 came to an end on 3 december 2010 at raaf amberley near brisbane, australia, as a crew in an f111c serial number a8125 of the royal australian air force touched down for the aircrafts last landing. The first test flight in fort worth, texas in 1968 highlighted a major structural test failure of the wing carry through box. May 19, 2014 in the mid1970s, all raaf offensive platforms had little in the way of modern weaponry. Former raaf chief of air force and f 111 pilot geoff shepherd looks back at his involvement with the pig, operationally, logistically and politically. The royal australian air force 1929 1991 and a volume of official war history covering raaf involvement in vietnam 196275. F111c strike aircraft raaf association national council. Great book on the raaf f111s development, procurement and service life.
The f111 is unique among the aircraft that the royal australian air force has operated throughout its history. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the raaf or the f 111. Hi guys,feel free to use our collective knowledge to expand the knowledge of the raaf f 111 s. The f 111 had massive problems to overcome in its early days, but overcome them it did. A royal australian air force f111 pilot sits in his aircraft awaiting clearance to f111 taking off at sunset. Raaf historical section, australian government publishing. We have the largest online range of raaf squadron unit history books that describe the operation history of many raaf. In addition to a roll call including histories of each individual aircraft, photos of over 90% of the aircraft are included. 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. Down under aviation news raaf general dynamics f111 art. The f111 pioneered several technologies for production aircraft, including variablesweep wings, afterburning turbofan engines, and automated terrainfollowing radar for lowlevel, highspeed flight. History of the f111 bomber aircraft in raaf service.
The variable sweep wings have been the most obvious innovation of the f111. This is a list of the general dynamics f111 aircraft which were operated by the royal australian airforce raaf between 1973 and 2010. 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. The raafs fleet of f111s included 28 f111cs of which four were converted to rf111 reconnaissance aircraft and 15 f111gs. Several more f111s were purchased from the united states and used for ground training and testing purposes, or as a source of spare parts. General dynamics f111 aardvark air vanguard book 10 kindle edition by davies, peter e. Royal australian air force f111 at the avalon airshow 2007.
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. The book contains some examples of his shots from the last 25 years, and has articles such as. As such, it spans the experience of five generations of air and ground crew, of politicians who were both for and against the aircraft, and of defence contractors both in australia and the united states. A venerable f111 drops bombs for one of the last times in its long career. F111 aardvark project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Also a good description of the armament capabilities of the f 111, and finally a lot of nice graphics. This book has a very detailed section on nicky barrs career with 3 squadron.
Never before has one type had such a profound impact not only on the raaf, but upon australias strategic policy outlook. The general dynamics f 111c nicknamed pig is a variant of the f 111 aardvark mediumrange interdictor and tactical strike aircraft, developed by general dynamics to meet australian requirements. An extraordinary amount of research went into the book. To that end, defence has taken the decision to temporarily close our air force heritage centres, which includes raaf aahc, as of 15 mar 2020. The design was based on the f 111a model but included longer wings and strengthened undercarriage. Took part in the red flag exercise in the usa during 2002, where the raaf f111 had a serviceability rate of 100%. Very highly detailed on the reasons for and against the raaf having the f 111 that the governments of the time pondered about.
Air power development centre, department of defence australia, 2010. When it finally arrived in 1973, after 10 years of controversy, it gave australia for the first time a. Hi guys,feel free to use our collective knowledge to expand the knowledge of the raaf f111s. Several additional f111s were purchased from the united states and used for ground training and testing purposes, or as a source. The raaf was the last operator of the f111, with its aircraft serving until december 2010. 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. Special tail markings to mark the retirement of the f111 featuring a stylised dump and burn seen here on f111ac a81 in the static at williamtown. More than any other australian weapon system, the f111 had the most impact on the development of the raaf as a fighting. Dec 25, 2015 raaf f111c a81 gets rolling on runway 3l during red flag 093 the final deployment of f111s in the us. The closest the bombers came to being used in anger, however, was during the australianled interfet intervention into east timor in september 1999. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the raaf or the f111. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The general dynamics f111 aardvark is a retired american supersonic, medium range. Navy f111bs, royal australian air force f 111s, british royal air force f111ks, f111 combat operations, and nasa f111s.
This book covers a 50year historythat of australias first and foremost strategic weapon, the f111. 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. A8125 was the first f111c to land at amberley that year. Four exunited states air force usaf f111as were purchased by australia and. Delivery to the raaf was delayed by a series of mishaps during the us air forces first combat deployment with the f111 in vietnam in 1968. 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. Former raaf chief of air force and f111 pilot geoff shepherd looks back at his involvement with the pig, operationally, logistically and politically. The book covers all the major types, including the initial f 111a for the airforce, the sac fb111a, the stillborn navy f 111b the role of which eventually got filled by the f 14, the australian f 111c the digital f 111d and all the later upgrades and developments of the main attack types, as well as the ef 111 electronic warfare platform.
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