Farewell to the F111

Bockscar

 

 

 

I caught part of a show and if I recall this right, in a computer reenactment, an unarmed F-111 was being pursued by a manoeuvrable Russian built jet, but the F-111 pilot managed to force the opponent into the ground, I didn't catch the theatre. .

That would have been an EF-111, over the desert forcing an Iraqi Mirage F1 into the dirt... if I'm not mistaken.

Phil_H

 

Konigwolf13:

The f-35  just looks like a F-16/F-18 Hybrid with F-22 intakes.

 

Hi Andrew,

If you want to see something that looks like an F-16/F-18 hybrid, check this out. Taiwan's AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo

'); // -->

 

Looks like something that could have come out of Eddie Miller's workshop.

It could have been a different fighter if the US allowed the export of a more powerful engine of modern design.

If you can understand Chinese, here is a good summary of its 20th anniversary.

Konigwolf13

The f-35  just looks like a F-16/F-18 Hybrid with F-22 intakes.

Hi Andrew,

If you want to see something that looks like an F-16/F-18 hybrid, check this out. Taiwan's AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-Kuo

Looks like something that could have come out of Eddie Miller's workshop.

echolmberg

That's interesting that the RAAF will be switching to a Navy plane.  I didn't think a Hornet would ever wear the words "Air Force" anywhere on its surface.

Hi Eric,

Australia has been flying the earlier F/A-18A Hornets since the mid-80's. Other air forces (ie. non-naval) operating the earlier Hornets include (as mentioned) Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland.

However, as with the F-111, Australia is currently the only non-US operator of the Super Bug.

I liked the look of the XF-32 myself, kinda like an A-7 crossed with mean. The f-35  just looks like a F-16/F-18 Hybrid with F-22 intakes.

Andrew

Nice shot Vance;

Yeah, maintenance..., Lindberg has a new kit out. If my wife gets me one for Christmas, I think I could become a big fan for sure!

Well, twin engines mean twice as much engine maintenance cost, that could be an issue. Besides, Lockheed already has a mockup on their website...

VanceCrozier

 

Bockscar:

 

To be specific, the RCAF has been flying the CF-18 from the early '80s. Our government placed an order with Lockheed-Martin, but we'll see if it survives the next general election.

 

 

After the money we spent "not buying" the latest generation of helos, I don't think any government would dare pay to shut down the F-35 contract. Oh no, am I bringing logic into this equation??

I'ld be happy to see Super Hornets if only because of the twin engines.  I suppose the Official Opposition might want to drag the allegedly untendered contract up as an election issue. As for politics and logic, rarely do their paths cross. --I sure hope that doesn't count as a rant!

echolmberg

That's interesting that the RAAF will be switching to a Navy plane.  I didn't think a Hornet would ever wear the words "Air Force" anywhere on its surface.

As for the coolness factor and the fuel dump between the burners, that's why the Western planes will always be the coolest planes around!  For pete's sake people!  We actually engineer the coolness into each airplane!!!

Eric

The RAAF replaced its Mirage IIIs with F/A-18As in the mid-1980s. IIRC, the F-35 is planned to replace both the F-111 and -18 in Australian service. The Super Bug is not the first interim airplane the RAAF has operated. During delivery delays in the F-111 program, the RAAF operated Phantoms.

Cheers, Aaron

Bockscar

To be specific, the RCAF has been flying the CF-18 from the early '80s. Our government placed an order with Lockheed-Martin, but we'll see if it survives the next general election.

After the money we spent "not buying" the latest generation of helos, I don't think any government would dare pay to shut down the F-35 contract. Oh no, am I bringing logic into this equation??

To be specific, the RCAF has been flying the CF-18 from the early '80s. Our government placed an order with Lockheed-Martin, but we'll see if it survives the next general election.

We've been flying them up here in Canada. We are probably going to replace them with the F-35.

That's interesting that the RAAF will be switching to a Navy plane.  I didn't think a Hornet would ever wear the words "Air Force" anywhere on its surface.

As for the coolness factor and the fuel dump between the burners, that's why the Western planes will always be the coolest planes around!  For pete's sake people!  We actually engineer the coolness into each airplane!!!

Eric

Konigwolf13

IIRC many airliners also have the ability to dump fuel if needed, but its rare to do so, dump fuel means dump money = bad business. Also with no afterburner its a bit hard to light it up of the engines were near the dump pipes, would be a sight to see it happen LOL

Fuel dumps used to be mandated for aircraft where the max takeoff weight was greater than 105% of the max landing weight. In general that applied to aircraft that fly longer distances and/ or had 3 or 4 engines. It's not so much the case with the big efficient twins any more. But 747, DC 10, Tristar and that ilk had it. On a 747 it's located out by the wingtips.

In practice, it takes a while and creates a big mess, so pilots would probably opt to go ahead and land because the a/c isn't going to fail. It'd just be up for a lot of time and money consuming inspections,

Super Bug

echolmberg

So does anyone know what planes will be replacing them?

Eric

It'd be blast if it was F117's, okay, I like F117's, and they're gone too.

I believe the correct term would be "bugger". Though I assume there were a few more choice words than that used.

Andrew

So the engineers at GD were finalizing the fuel dump location on a Friday afternoon, after a couple of , and said "let's put it between the pipes baby!!!"

Just ran a quick search for RAAF images and found this page - try modeling THAT damage!
http://www.hemmy.net/2008/04/20/aussie-f-111-shattered-by-pelican/

IIRC the Tomcats fuel otlet in in a similar spot, cat it do same?

IIRC many airliners also have the ability to dump fuel if needed, but its rare to do so, dump fuel means dump money = bad business. Also with no afterburner its a bit hard to light it up of the engines were near the dump pipes, would be a sight to see it happen LOL

That and only that. Cool Factor AFAIK.

Most modern military jets (or at least naval ones) can dump fuel so their landings can be lighter, in the case of the F-111 that fuel dump just so happens to be between the tail pipes. So if you combine a fuel dump with afterburn you get wow effect.

Andrew

OK, I'm much more familiar with props than jets so I've got to ask... Other than sheer COOL factor, what is the purpose of the 111's dump & burn ability??

Konigwolf13

RAAF, full of interim measures.

I can understand to some degree, they were becoming more and more expensive to maintain. But with a projected date of 2014/15 I cant see the point considering we will be phasing out all the hornets with F-35's anyway. Wasting even more money on a 3-4 year plug gap aircraft Dont get it myself.

Andrew

I have never understood how the military / industrial sector thinks.  And perhaps, that is a good thing, for therein lies the path to madness.  I mean really.  The new generation of aircraft are overpriced, overcomplicated and major overkill against any enemies we are likely to run into in the next 100 years.

I think the massive bloated military budget could have been reduced significantly had they just purchased new F18s, F15s,F16s, and F14s.  The only advantage I see in the JSF is the VTOL capability.

But the Military always seems to want more of the most expensive new toys on the block..  The only smart thing they have done is keep the B52 in service.  Now THAT aircraft is a real workhorse.

RAAF, full of interim measures.

I can understand to some degree, they were becoming more and more expensive to maintain. But with a projected date of 2014/15 I cant see the point considering we will be phasing out all the hornets with F-35's anyway. Wasting even more money on a 3-4 year plug gap aircraft Dont get it myself.

Andrew

Hi Eric,

At the present time, the (former) F-111 units (no.1 and No.6 Sqn's) are re-equipiing with 24 F.A-18F Super Hornets. These are an interim measure until the F-35 (JSF) becomes available (who knows when that will be).

So does anyone know what planes will be replacing them?

Eric

Phil_H, thanks for starting the thread.

It'll be sad to see them go - i don't think Riverfire will ever be the same, it's normally the highlight of my year, heading up to Kangaroo Point and seeing them dump and burn up the river.

My greatest memory though was when i was in the air cadets.  one night whilst on a camp at RAAF Base Amberley, we were coming out of the mess hall (which was near the runway) and saw two f-111Gs taking off with full afterburner.  Was an amazing sight.

The other highlights was doing parade drill on the tarmac as they took off next to us - just incredible to see.

cml

satch_ip

I had an IP who flew F-15s and he told a story of Red Flag one day.  Said he spotted an F-111 on the deck trying on ingress and he rolled in on his six thinking it would be an easy kill.  The Vark proceeded to run away and leave him in the dust.  He was amazed at how fast it was on the deck.

I caught part of a show and if I recall this right, in a computer reenactment, an unarmed F-111 was being pursued by a manoeuvrable Russian built jet, but the F-111 pilot managed to force the opponent into the ground, I didn't catch the theatre. 

Fairly successful in helping the buffs in Vietnam, and generally effective because of it's radar eluding ground hugging capabilities, just as long as it didn't go in for a kiss.

I've always thought it was sleek looking plane, though many disagree. Two old 1/48 Monogram kits in the stash.

oh yuma oh yuma how i miss the smell of jet exhaust  in the morning, (dear mom an dad this is how i spent my summer vacation for 2 years in a row)  just gotta love yuma in the summer

Ugh....Yuma....