The General Dynamics F-111 resulted from the Tactical Fighter Experimental (TFX) project of 1961, in which an attempt was made to create a swing-wing fighter for several roles for the US Navy and US Air Force. After edging out a Boeing design, General Dynamics teamed up with Grumman so that the latter firm, an experienced builder of carrier-based aircraft, could build the F-111 variant seen as early as 1961 as a replacement for the US Navy F-4 Phantom. The first USAF General Dynamics F-111A flew on 21 December 1964 and the first US Navy Grumman F-111B went aloft on 18 May 1965. Although its variable-geometry configuration was the principal advancement found in the F-111, the swing-wing worked perfectly from the outset. But the F-111B proved too heavy and in other ways unsuited to carrier-deck operations and was cancelled in May 1968 after only nine airframes had been delivered.
In addition to 17 F-111As for development work, 141 went to Tactical Air Command, with first deliveries to the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing at Nellis AFB, Nevada beginning in 1968. These were powered by two 8392kg afterburning thrust Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 turbofans. In March 1968, six F-111As of the wing's 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron under Colonel Ivan H. Dethman were rushed to Takhli, Thailand, to begin combat operations against North Vietnam. The first three aircraft launched on the first three missions vanished for ever, although the detachment later flew 55 missions successfully. The USAF discovered, as a prisoner of war from this deployment would later confirm, that a tailplane problem caused uncontrollable pitch-up and roll. This failure in the flying control system caused the aircraft to break up in flight without North Vietnamese assistance! A separate fatique problem caused wing spar cracks and, in 1969, resulted in the loss of an F-111A when its wing was torn off. In 1969, the entire fleet of 300 aircraft was grounded while an exhaustive structural review programme remedied these problems.
FB-111
The Strategic Air Command's FB-111A, operating with two wings, is a very long-range variant powered by two 9230kg afterburning thrust Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-7 turbofans, with modified inlets, long-span wing, and provision for nuclear or thermonuclear weapons or up to 50 340kg HE bombs; 76 FB-111As were built.
The EF-111A, officially named Raven but called 'Electric Fox', is a Grumman conversion of the airframe, resulting in a dedicated tactical jamming system and electronic warfare aircraft. Painted off-white and distinguished by a large fincap radome housing receiver antennae, the EF-111A flew in production form on 28 June 1981 and entered service with a USAF unit in England in 1984.
Twenty-four F-111C 'Aardvarks', the informal nickname for all fighter-bomber variants were delivered to Australia in 1973 after lengthy delays. The F-111C differs from the F-111A model in having a longer-span wing and stronger landing gear. Four F-111Cs have been converted to the reconnaissance role and the remainder, like many USAF 'Aardvarks', are being equipped with Pave Tack pods for laser acquisition of ground targets.
The F-111D, F-111E and F-111F are variants of what has become a
highly specialised long-range strike aircraft ideal as a counter to the Soviet Sukhoi Su-24 and as a means of hitting targets in eastern Europe from the British Isles. These variants are located respectively at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, RAF Upper Heyford and RAF Lakenheath, England. Production amounted to 96 F-111D, 94 F-111Es and 106 F-111Fs.
The F-111H was a proposed strategic bomber once perceived as an ideal interim step for the 1980s when it appeared that the Rockwell B-1 had been cancelled. The F-111K was the intended version for the UK's Royal Air Force. Neither was built, and total production amounted to 562 airplanes.
The F-111 crew sits side-by-side, the pilot (aircraft commander) routinely referring to his weapons systems officer as a YOT ('you over there'). Both are enclosed in a capsule which separates from the aircraft in an emergency, a proven escape system which obviates the need for ejection seats. When F-111s returned to North Vietnam in 1972, this two-man, terrain-hugging attack system proved eminently successful, a success repeated during the 1986 raid on Tripoli by F-111Fs flying from RAF Lakenheath. F-111s will remain part of the NATO commitment for years to come, though some will be replaced around 1990 by the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Eagle.
Right out of tech school went to 428th Sq TFW at Nellis in 1971. ARS SQ. Rememeber Sqt's Brown & Gooddale? Worked INS /TFR. Then to Takhil ~Then to RAF Upper Heyford 1972-1976 with F111-E. Next to Mt. Home AFB till 1978. To Major Brown & Capt. Stoneybarger who were Killed in Takhli ~ I think of you often. God Bless Dean Kraus SSGT
I was stationed at Nellis AFB from March of 1968 to August of 1971. I was a F-111 Crew Chief in the 428th TFS. In the spring of 1969 Six F-111's were returning from a 5-6 hour training flight with Australian Pilots in training flying the aircraft. The first landed with no flaps or slats and burnt out the brakes halfway down the runway. The remaining five did land safely and on fumes. I was the Airman in charge of the brake change. Is there anyone out there that remembers this event that I could talk to about this? Also, In August of 1969, the 474th TFW sent 50 personnel somewhere, and there is no Air Force records as to where these 50 men went. Is there anyone out there who remembers this assignment and where the men went, and what they did? Whatever information you can give me on these things would be greatly appreciated.
Профессиональный монтаж напольных покрытий.Обращайтесь всегда рады вам помочь. Мы делаем следующие работы Монтаж напольного плинтуса из массива Монтаж напольного плинтуса М"Ф Монтаж напольного плинтуса дюрополимер Монтаж напольного плинтуса П'Х Монтаж напольного плинтуса Л"Ф Монтаж потолочного плинтуса. Монтаж напольного плинтуса из металла и т.д кроме камня. Покраска плинтуса. Монтаж напольных покрытий Монтаж паркетной доски на подложку. Монтаж ламината. Монтаж винилового ламината Монтаж инжинерной доски Монтаж моссивной доски (с готовым покрытием) Монтаж фанеры. Монтаж галтелий и наличников. По другим работам уточняйте! гарантия на все виды работ. Напилим.про
Iworked QC during the first days in charge of submitting all the UR's and there was alot of them. Transfered to Upper Heyford. Worked flt line and then ran job control. The F-111 had alot of problems but was still a great fighter-bomber. Transfered to Travis AFB in 1974 retired in 1977. CMS Retired Prosser Wa.
I flew the FB-111 for 4 years in the early 70"s out of pEASE afb. hAD A GREAT TIME FLYING THE ARDVARK, ESPECIALLY LOW LEVEL. wAS NOT TO IMPRESSED WTH THE 7 DAY ALERT CYCLES. fLEW WITH SEVERAL GREAT PEOPLE, JOHN ALLEN AND JACK HARRIS
Spent the last 9 years of my A.F career until 1977 flying the F-111A /E. NelliS, Cannon, Upper Heyford, Korat. Best deal was CC 79th TFS 73-74. God bless you Ardvark drivers, wso's and support troops. Tigers Roar!!!!!!!
1968-1977 Flew F-111A's at Cannon AFB and Korat RTAFB, F-111E's at RAF Upper Heyford,Flew F-111D /F /FB /C while in Flight Test at Mcclellan AFB. Flew high speed, low level TFR testing at Edwards. The VARK was the fastest thing in the air during its time. Nothing could come close to it low level. I'd love to have another go at it.
I was part of the F11c Prrovisioning Team from June 1069 to September 1971. I was a Sgt Equipo. at the time it would be great to hear from anybody else who was there during that period. As a team, we had a ball.
Mt Home Training in 389th in 1988. Upper Heyford 79TFS Tigers 88-91. Desert Shield /Desert Storm. Great times flying low level, IMC 1000SCP, over the Lochs to Tain and Rosehearty Ranges.
Supersonic 100SCP egress over Northern Iraq through the AAA after delivering 8 cannisters of CBU.
Looking to see if anyone remembers working with my father Kenneth E Miller at Nellis AFB during the 60's and 70's. I remember him getting an award for his assigned fleet of aircraft the F-111 for achieving 1000 flying hours without a breakdown, other duty assingnment also included, RAF Lakenheath in the 70's as well as George AFB. He was better known as "SATCH". For his retirement in 1980 at George AFB Maj Boyed took him up in a F-105. He retired as MSGT. Thanks for your help.
Right out of tech school went to 428th Sq /474th TFW at Nellis in 1969, first F-111A Sq. Worked INS /TFR. Then to RAF Upper Heyford 1970-1974 with F111-E. Next to Cannon AFB 1975-1979 on F-111D. Left USAF for General Dynamics as Tech Rep on F-16 then F-22. Aardvark was great aircraft, sometimes difficult to maintain, but it did things no other aircraft could dream of. Leading edge of technology in it's day. Sad to see last flight in Aussie Land Dec 2010.
I was stationed at Mountain Home AFB Idaho from 1983-1990 3.5 years supplying munitions to the F-111A and Chaff to the EF-111A. The remaining 3.5 years was spent as an aircraft fuel systems mechanic working on both F-111A and EF-111A. Awesome aircraft when it wasn't leaking fuel all over from the splitter plate and air deflector door brackets! I always enjoyed the fly overs at retreat time, come in smoking fast wings swept and buzz the base.
Was at Nellis AFB, 474th MMS. Worked on the F-111A from 1972 through Operation Ready Switch. Spent 18 months at Takhli, Thailand with the 474th, 6280th and finally the 347th. Loaded bombs while in Thailand. The F-111A that is in the museum at Wright-Patterson is loaded in one of the configurations we loaded in 73-74, 24 x 500lb bombs. I actually loaded that same aircraft in that configuration in 73.
I was informed back when by a ranking general in the USAF that the first air-to-air combat kill in Desert Storm was made by, get this, an EF-111A. I typed it right, an EF-111A. The aircrew tactically defeated a MIG opponent forcing him to bury his aircraft in the sand. A tactical defeeat is scored as a combat kill. However, the Air Force being what it is could publicize the first war kill as made by a "non-shooter." So they proclaimed that our first kill was a missile shootdown by an F-15, which truly was the 2nd, or at last that's what I was briefed. Anyone else hear that story?
Worked on F-111Ds at Cannon. Couple years on the flight line and 3 years in job control. Maintaining them was a bit of a nightmare mostly because of a lack of spare parts. One of our civilian tech reps did have a saying about Generally Dynamic that explained a lot of the other maintenance problems we had. He said that they measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an ax. I, of course, cannot verify that. I'm just sayin'...
Why is it that when the USA attack the third world with hi-tec weapons like this they are doing it for "freedom" but when the third world fight back they are called terrorists just for defending them selfs?
FLEW F-111A 1968 & I WAS SQ MAINT OFFICER, FMS SQ CMDR, AT NELLIS AFB, 474 TFW, CHIEF OF MAINT. DEPLOYED WITH 2 SQ F-111S TO 347 TFW TAKHLI THAILAND. ANOTHER 474 ASSIGNMENT , CHIEF OF MAINT. CANNON AFB DIR OF LOGISTICS IN 832 AIR DIVISION ALSO C M 27 TFW. GREAT LOW LEVEL. RMK
MY FATHER WORKED ON THE F-111 FROM DAY #1 IN FT.WORTH,TEXAS AT THE GENERAL DYNAMICS PLANT.I USED TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT,AND I USED TO SEE THOSE WHITE /GRAY BRAND NEW F-111s WHICH WERE PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HANGARS AT THE MAIN GD PLANT.I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYBODY SAYS,THE F-111 WAS A GREAT AIRPLANE,AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FLOWN BY THE UNITED STATES NAVY.THE U.S NAVY COULD'VE FLOWN THE F-111 ON RECONN MISIONS,BOMBING MISIONS,AND ATTACK MISIONS.
I was involved in F-111s A,E & D Haint Tech 68 69 Q A / Q C Cannon FB-111 SAC PAFB NY F-111F RAF UH FCF / WT & BAL Program Manager 27 TFW 69-72 380BW 73-77 and 48TFW 77 79 Great ACFT E-8 Retired
Профессиональный монтаж напольных покрытий.Обращайтесь всегда рады вам помочь.
Мы делаем следующие работы
Монтаж напольного плинтуса из массива
Монтаж напольного плинтуса М"Ф
Монтаж напольного плинтуса дюрополимер
Монтаж напольного плинтуса П'Х
Монтаж напольного плинтуса Л"Ф
Монтаж потолочного плинтуса.
Монтаж напольного плинтуса из металла и т.д кроме камня.
Покраска плинтуса.
Монтаж напольных покрытий
Монтаж паркетной доски на подложку.
Монтаж ламината.
Монтаж винилового ламината
Монтаж инжинерной доски
Монтаж моссивной доски (с готовым покрытием)
Монтаж фанеры.
Монтаж галтелий и наличников.
По другим работам уточняйте!
гарантия на все виды работ.
Напилим.про
reply