I worked the Fs, and then all models except Cs at the overhaul facility in Sacramento (McClellan AFB). I left there in ‘88. I miss it so much. The Vark was my world.
I volunteer as a tour guide at my local aviation museum, HARS. We have an F111, tail number 109 on display. It’s always a favourite especially as we let our visitors sit in the left side seat.
Spent my entire career in the USAF working the F-111. A fantastic aircraft! Giving credit where credit is due - the Aussies flew the paint of the Aardvarks and did it with style.
I was Army, last time I crossed a F-111 unit, was a ANG or AFRES F model sqd in 1994. This was long time ago, so if it wasn't F, my apologies, and like I said, I was Army (13A) Field Artillery. Sqd XO , who doubled also as S-3 operations officer. How? Is that even legal? On operational availability, readiness to deploy now (at the time). He admitted , I was 1Lt (O-2) at time, he was Major, that it was low. About 1/3 of 12 assigned airframes could fly to theater and drop weapons. Half of crews were not 'deployable'. One of those airframes has low op ECM-Def suite. No flare, chaff OK, and Low-Med power restriction on emitter pod. He was talking to Army Res. LTC. My job was to breath and say 'Yesir". This is what I recall, and I don't quite know the details of ECM pods in actual use at time, per USAF regulations. So an explanation from crew or maintainer, or planner would be cool. But stay within applied classifications , if any still apply after almost 30 years. P.S. They had pods that when hung underneath F-111 fuselage , made it look like a male horse with a huge erection. How that phalic symbology made it past USAF, I have no clue? Perhaps they did not care about appearances back then. if a crew exceeds stated restriction, during mission, is that recorded objectively, by some black box?
@@dkoz8321 No F-111s were ever in the ANG or Reserve. The last base that had any F-111s, was Cannon AFB, NM. After the 48th TFW at RAF Lakenheath, the F-111Fs went to Cannon AFB. The F-111Ds left Cannon for the boneyard.
american airborne trooper here...just a qwik shout out to all the brave and crazy aussies...worked with them when i was in the 82nd...awesome group of guys and gals...*airborne salute*
As a kid I remember F111's flying over my home as I lay on the front lawn. They were that low you felt you could touch them. Great plane and there is nothing like an F111 doing a dump and burn
You must have been around Amberley or Leichhardt. I remember doing the same and seeing those early dump and burns when you thought the plane would crash
My father, Ben Toney, retired as Program Director for the F-111 in 2003. He travelled to Australia regularly, and really enjoyed his relationship with the RAAF. Unfortunately, he didn't live to see its retirement. I'm sure he would have been there and enjoyed watching the celebration.
USAF for 20 years, 1981 - F111 Retirement, then to F-16's till 2001. I miss that old girl. Thanks for flying her as long as you did. So pissed that most of yours got buried though!!!! :(
Yep, it was a clause in the contract of sale that they had to be disposed of or rendered non-airworthy (the museum airframes). I think because the US were nervous back in the 1960s/70s when they were purchased because of the whole nuclear capabilities the Pig had.
Worked on the FB111a for 11 years. It would later be the F111G model. When I first started working on it it had some problems. Later after the the jet engine fuel control and AMP updates we be came the Maytag repair man with very little work. This aircraft was my baby and is was sad to see it leave.
Exciting childhood memory 35 plus years ago: an RAAF F-111 visited the Hamilton (NZ) air show. After giving us a good look on the ground, it took off, turned so we could clearly see its wings going back then screamed over us in a low level pass - seemed like a mere few feet above the ground. The sound and speed were unbelievable.
Thank you for the Vid mate, My Fav part is we loaned 24 F-4 Phantom II's waiting for our F-111's. Being an Aircraft Engineer for an airline I saw the F-111 come to Sydney twice and was impressed by the size... Big aircraft for the performance it had.... Huge aircraft was was so versatile it boggled the mind. From speaking with a few RAAF-ies back then... they were't fun to work on as Engineers... a lot became sick from working inside fuel tanks and the Fuse had parts made with Asbestos... that's why they buried a number of airframes. Brilliant vid and quite sad as they really were a great aircraft with so many new revolutionary ideas.
I was there that day as part of the team that procured/introduced the superhornet and although in my 30yr career i never worked on the "pigs" i knew a lot of guys and girls that did. Very emotional day for all..same emotions today watching this 10 yrs later. Thanks for posting..pity it took this long to find...
I loaded bombs on the A, D, and F models between 1977-1986 which qualified me to work on all F-111’s in the U.S. Air Force inventory. I have never seen the fuel dump flame the whole time I was in, just heard about it. Guess it cost too much to waste all that fuel. Wasn’t until I watched your C models doing air shows on TH-cam that I finally got to see the spectacle 👍🏼 Great Fun!
Thank you for sharing this great footage. I would have given anything to be there on that sad sad day. Everything about this aircraft was magic despite its age.
F-111 Blackhander from 2007-END . Best aircraft I ever worked on . Best Aircraft the RAAF ever had. Nice footage mate... a tear does run down the cheek in memory of good times. Thank you.
Ross Manley - dear fuckwit... you cannot keep high performance military aircraft airworthy indefinitely... they live very tough lives and eventually wear out... retiring them was not a political decision, it was a technical decision.
Don't listen to those f@$kwits,a top plane,could easily be flying today.matainence is key +upgrades.no RAAF PLANE OF TODAY CAN DO WHAT IT CAN...........🇭🇲🇺🇲🚫💩
@@grahamlucas2712 Reading comprehension really isnt one of your strengths is it? Everything I said is correct... but it was in response to a comment that's now been deleted... engage your brain first if you'd care to respond further.... otherwise just fuck off :)
Grew up watching these under their flight path as a kid, then lucky enough to work on them at Amberley as a student in 1985. The Ferrari of all jets...🇦🇺
I was born and raised about 45 miles from the City of Plattsburgh in Upstate NY, about an hour South of Montreal, Canada, and there used to be a USAF SAC Base in Plattsburgh, with the KC135 Refueler Planes, and FB111's. I miss hearing their super loud roar whenever I am visiting the area. I now live in Central Delaware, not very far from Dover, and the Dover Air Force Base, but no FB111's or KC135's there at Dover. Still get to see the C5's, and C17's, and hear their roar, but it's just not the same.
I worked on the F-111D at the 522nd at Cannon AFB, NM, from 1991-1992, as an electrical and environmental specialist. This was my first plane. It was sure not easy to work on, like an F-16 or F15, but man it sure taught me a lot. I miss those days! This video sure brings up a lot of pride and memories. Great plane! Great people! Sad to see the old girl go.
My 1st love -- FB-111A, I worked 88'-90' at Pease AFB NH. What a great demo! I did a tour with the USAF Thunderbirds and to see this demo in delta formation - how awesome! Thanks for sharing!
FMS jet engine tech. At Plattsburgh AFB when we transitioned from B-52G to FB111(A). Best engine trim out plane ever, jumped chocks several times, DCM was not happy. Neither was the 380th Commander. Biggest Corvette I ever had. So much power. 1970-1972
Worked the F-111 (A)(D)(E)(F)(G) during my career. Gotta say, I loved that plane. While TDY in Portugal, the soon to retire squadron commander set up an "airfield flyby" for us. Four F models, flying single ship compass point runs at about 200 feet made for an awesome experience. Dirt, little rocks, tree branches, and everything else not tied down went airborne. We loved it but the dog handlers who were guarding our area didn't seem impressed and the dogs - even less so.
Lived at RAF Mildenhall but went to school at RAF Lakenheath in the 80s. Man what fun with these things taking off on afterburn, school might as well have been closed up during that time - notably March-April 86. Proud to have contributed an "Operation El Dorado Canyon" patch to the USMC compound in Moscow … wouldn't trade the dependent life I had for any pile of money. Cheers for the video, many memories …
Bloody nice bit of video work. Thanks for posting this. Its been hard to find decent footage without music etc. But also just great to see them one final time in all their glory. Very sad they had to retire them so soon. I'm sure if they'd looked after them they would have got another 20yrs out of the aircraft. Especially if they've been built anywhere near as well as the old B52s.
Grew up in Clovis NM watching these beautiful planes training at cannon AFB. Brings back lots of memories. You should have heard the engines being tested after overhaul. Shook the walls of your house in after burn mode.
Watching this brings back great memories! I served at 6SQN from Jan2001 until Dec 2004 in Logistics Section. Loved the Pig on a quiet night shift would go out and watch them take off! From a stricktly Supply point of view a bloody Pain on account of their age. But I loved the Pig, The look,the sound! Plus I got to fly in one which I`ll never forget. Long live the PIG!
What an amazing display. I remember visiting the General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) plant where they were built, on Fort Worth. There's a swing wing test airframe parked off of Interstate 30 at Turner's Army Surplus, west of Texarkana, Texas.
Loved it. Some really good cam work, I'm a photog who specialized in airshows for a a couple of decades, so I am really impressed. Wish I could have been there.
I started with 482MSqn in 1968 and was taught by the US GD tech reps at the ATSW building with no windows before going to the USA. Made a lot of friends there. Sadly a few of them have passed too early due to the fuel tank repair illness.
I was involved in about the last mod for F-111: F-111 AMP, at McClellan. Believe it or not it was one of the last Grumman Aerospace contracts (rare non Navy project). We kit proof a few, first supposed to be 55 aircraft, then 44, then a few less and finally maybe just the Australian ones, we never knew until it was essentially cancelled. Too bad.
Have lived on the New Hampshire seacoast since 1958. Under the flight path out of former Pease AFB. And have seen the B-47, B-52, and FB-111. Alas, the latter left forever when Pease closed in 1991 and I believe Pease was the last to base the FB-111 while still in the Strategic Air Command inventory. [Pease was also the last to retain the B-47 as well. Trivia - there were two bomb wings and 8 related squadrons of B-47s at the then new Pease. A testament to the base's so close to Europe early Cold War importance.] Whereas the B-47 (and the associated KC-97) was my first memory and dear to the heart, it is the FB-111s I miss most. Graceful in unswept flight out over the marshes and on to the Atlantic. But a beast nonetheless all armed with nuclear weaponry. And the afterburner roar on takeoff could be heard 10 miles away. I can hear and see them still. Pease does retain the NH ANG with its ancient KC-135s and has been designated the first to receive the new yet seemingly forever troubled KC-46A. It may be the KC-46G by the time it arrives. But nothing can replace SAC. So this video is poignant and the longing to see SAC Aardvarks in skies again is strong. The Australians surely did love them. As many did here. Birds of a feather. All missing the heavenly Pig.
Sometimes I see certain planes and even though I'm not a pilot, they just make me think 'Fuck YES!" Spitfire, P-51, Sea Fury, F-4 Phantom, A-4 Skyhawk...F-111. I've felt the heat blast of a fuel dump/burn and it will remain with me forever. Great video!
My 4 yr old loved it, he can also name many US and Russian built aircraft by silhouette alone. His room is full of model planes and all he talks about is planes all day. I'm glad i got to take him.
When l lived in Collier Row , Romford , there were always a huge variety of aircraft flying over . Concorde was heard long before it appeared . But a new sound made me look up and spot the F 111s . Next day we learned Libya had been " Visited " !
I noticed these sound a lot like the F-35. They’re very likely just as loud too as the F-35 has 40,000 pounds of thrust and the F-111’s total thrust would actually be more than that as they have 25,000 pounds of thrust per engine. Their noise level was prb deafening in full afterburner unlike the F-35
Thats a shame. A modernized rebuilt F-111F+ would have been a potent platform. With new digital AESA radar with ASAR ground mapping, SniperXR pod it could accurately deliver dozens of JDAMS or 6 JSOWs per mission sortie. Likely it could have carry multiple Harpoons or new Advanced Anti-Ship Missile stealthy munition. Its big enough with large enough engines to carry potent ECM suite.
Flown into Pearce, W.A. Trucked into some Godforsaken piece of desert in W.A. and summarily cut up with angle-grinders, thence buried in the desert. Unforgivable.
In 2004 I was the AFHQ bean-counter that did the number crunch that contributed to the F-111 retirement decision (two other aircraft types were also considered for retirement - part of a Government directed funding reduction). When government chose which aircraft type to retire, I travelled to Amberley with an AIRCDRE to tell the Wing OC and his Sqn CO's the bad news. Was one of the sadest days of my time working for Defence - the looks on their faces was as if they had lost a child (they - truely thought they had). So congratulations to the Wing for flying them right out to 2010 and to AFHQ for mounting the case to fly them 6 extra years more than what the Government and Department of Finance had originally intended.
I remember seeing Lakenheath's birds in Spain in 1982. I'll never forget the size of the tailpipes. Remember when we had to fly around Frances airspace to visit Libya, with a message from Ron Reagan?
Timothy Dodd We lived in Felixstowe England in 1970. Dad worked at Bentwaters AFB, My older sisters and I went to school at Mildenhall AFB, and the hospital we went to was at Lakenheath AFB where we used to watch the F-111A's often. I got a battery operated F-111A for Christmas one year and it was my favorite toy for awhile. I wish I still had it now.
@@nutster9000 It was a condition of sale stipulated by the US when Australia bought them that they were to be destroyed once retired. Concerns of nuclear capable planes getting into the wrong hands apparently.
Although there's nothing "F" about it...the 111 was an amazing airplane. The size of a DC-9, no 1-v-1ACM capability and a maintenance nightmare...but it was about the fastest low level bomber of it's era. My grandfather worked on it during his time at GD during the 60's and even though he liked "his" B-58 more...said the 111 carried a lot of the "lessons learned" from the "Hustler" through some growing pains...
Truly a sad day, when the much beloved F1-11's retire forever, they will be missed by many a civilian who enjoyed the spectacle of them flying, I know, I'm one of them!
BTW love that fly pass at 12.00 FUCKING BEAUTIFUL. And I remember the bombing runs at Pukapunual years ago backj in the early 70's "BOOMFA'" MAGNIFICENT STUFF. Loved the F111.
Except for how, you know, Nos. 1 & 6 Sqns had completely replaced with F/A-18Fs on a one for one basis (until 6 Sqn re-equipped with EA-18 Growlers in 2017). So yes. Yes they were.
its like these replaced the old Canberras but we had to use F4 Phantoms for a few years as a stop gap till the F111C was delivered I remember when this was the TFX A or B and we decided we wanted both in one lol the F35 may not be as awesome but with how us Aussies do things we will make it do all we need
To me, it fits into the line of aircraft starting with the DH Mosquito, followed by the EE Canberra. I suppose its European successor is the Tornado, but the Hornet hardly fits the bill, since it started out as a light fighter (losing to the F-16 at first) which got adopted by the US Navy.
A wise concept for Australian needs maybe we need to in house re design a new beast for Australia. Be anywhere in the country with in 1 hour, carry that secret and lo to limited electronics and lots of boost. I'm thankful one of these conducted a medical antidote merci flight from Brisbane to Adelaide fast , for my father. THANKYOU F111
Only plane in history that I know of to gain a combat kill while being completely unarmed EF111 raven electronics countermeasures variant Very interesting story
Yes Aussie pilots ! You loved the fact you's could get down low in the weeds ! Can't do that now ! I get soo sad when I about the powers that be got rid of them !!!! And 4 landfill . Grrrr ! Airshows will never be the same again and I don't think I will bother with going to one again !!
I may not be correct. But I do not believe that any single wing or sqd in active USAF, USAF-R, and ANG ever authorized fuel dump ignition. I dont really see its point. Unless there is some odd chance of combat use to lure heater from flying into nozzles , but detonating 100-200 feet behind the aircraft. Or perhaps making threat beleive that the ship too a hit, and looking for other targets, in WVR/merge ACM. F-111 is not an ACM airframe unless threat is Mig-21 or Mig-23. If any former F-111 crew or maintainer reads this, and wants to offer a correction, I welcome it.
It was just a party trick, had no operational role. The RAAF ended up modifying they system purely to increase the flame size for air shows. Their night time low fly pasts through the city of Brisbane for Riverfire were spectacular! Check out the video of the C17s low pass through the city from this year and previous then imagine that at night, with a screaming F-111 turning night to day.
I was told by an F-111 mechanic that dump and burn had value as a last resort to reduce the accuracy of an impending IR missile strike. I believe no other air force ever authorized dump and burns. If you were to dump fuel to lighten the aircraft before an emergency landing I would have thought burning it would be a more environmentally friendly option. It is mainly a party trick for sure. Anyone who saw and felt the heat from the dump and burn surely remembers it for life.
@@russellgunther You may not realize it. But you have just tottally wrecked climax moment of Die Hard II. When McLane shoots down departing 747 by igniting a fuel trail from open refuel valve. 32 of fantasy gobe just like that! That sequene was as realistic as 'ejection' seat from 60 years old flying boxcar transport.
My Air Force hat is off, to the Aussies who without them, We'd never see the F-111 kicking ass. In SAC it was always Hush ,hush. We never got a picture with our Squadron mates....And we won the Outstanding Unit award...The USAF was pretty bullshit about recognizing us maintenance mechanics...All most like we were a second thought to the Wings success.
Man, I'll always love the Pig. Just pissed me off to see it pretty much only being used as an airborne flamethrower to wow bogans and car race trash in it's last few years. :(
@@DrWillis1990 Could you educate me about maintenance hours? Roughly what amount of time is spent on combat jet maintenance per flying hour for powerplants, avionics, hydraulics, airframe. I would be interested to know what the split is for older aircraft. I know the F-15C's at RAF Lakenheath, 35 years old, eat up maintenance hours now, so the ground crews will welcome the F-35's from the practical point of view, though they will surely miss the Eagle for its style. I am also amazed at the 12 plus hour daily flying hours of short haul airlines, such flying intensity year after year, how do the flying hours compare to the maintenance hours? The avionics are simpler, the flying is more restrained but they spend as much time in the air as on the ground most of the year.
There isn't another aircraft out there that can replace the F-111. remember the first days of the F-111 when it became operationable with the 474TH TFW , Nellis AFB
..and then they buried them in the ground in a mass grave.... SMDH... such a shame. They could have given them back to us (USA) and we could have stored them at Davis Monthan so they could be preserved for displays.
It was a condition of sale stipulated by the US when Australia bought them that they were to be destroyed once retired. Concerns of nuclear capable planes getting into the wrong hands and such...
Byron Harper... When did the Canadian Air Force start flying the Super Hornet? Australia was the first country to buy the super hornet outside America. Australia started to fly the F/A -18 b or c in the early 80's. Both governments went into some kinda thing to keep the "Hornets" flying. You had stress testing of the wings & tail while we did the fuselage. The Australian government only brought the super hornet as a stop gap to the delayed F-35 and because we had a few close calls with losing a F-111. The Australian government are pussies. Still think we could of got another 10 years. Also the Americans had like 10 almost new aircraft to disassemble for parts. As for these ending up in landfill ;( why not keep a few in the air?
Answer: The CAF DOESN'T fly the Super Hornet because the Canadian government has been going back and forth on the decision on WHAT to replace its F-18A/B models with! They were committed to buying F-35s at one point (last government before Clinton Obama Trudeau was elected) but that order was cancelled after their last national election. They have a tight budget and they don't want to make a decision because when they do it's going to cost a lot of money. There are no cheap solutions but the Canuck government wants something that is more cutting edge. It's doubtful they'd buy anything 1980s like the Gripen and Rafale really are but the Typhoon is realistically not a great option for Canada, either. They probably SHOULD go with the Super Hornet but there are going to be people pissed off by that because "it's not the latest tech," "it has no 'real' stealth," and "didn't we basically buy this plane in the 1980s?" (The Typhoon and Rafale are looking more and more like the fighter-equivalent to the A380; great idea on paper but very little market for them and essentially 1980s designs. The governments are going to eat the development costs on these planes and the programs will not make a profit. Lest you think I'm being partisan, that's probably going to be true with the F-35 from the taxpayer perspective ALL AROUND THE WORLD!) In the meantime, they CAF bought 14-18 retired Australian F-18As because they're in less rough shape than American Hornets which operated off of aircraft carriers, the most punishing environment for any plane to operate in because of the catapults and arresting wires. The CAF needed the retired RAAF Hornets for spares and replacement frames because the Legacy Hornets (A-D models) haven't been made in close to 20 years now!
I left the USAF, and the F-111F back in 1992. Thanks, Aussies, for keeping them flying for as long as you did. They are really, really missed.
I left the F-111D in 1991 I feel the same thank you for keeping it in the air as long as you could.
It was a very good bomber for our purposes.
We miss them too Sir.
I worked the Fs, and then all models except Cs at the overhaul facility in Sacramento (McClellan AFB).
I left there in ‘88.
I miss it so much.
The Vark was my world.
I volunteer as a tour guide at my local aviation museum, HARS. We have an F111, tail number 109 on display. It’s always a favourite especially as we let our visitors sit in the left side seat.
Never realized how maneuverable the F-111 was. It has quite a roll rate for such a big plane ! Thanks for having our back Aussies ! 🇺🇸🤝🇦🇺
Always have and always will! - thanks for having our back in ww2! We never forget who our mates are.
USNVA11 anytime brother, anytime.
Spent my entire career in the USAF working the F-111. A fantastic aircraft! Giving credit where credit is due - the Aussies flew the paint of the Aardvarks and did it with style.
I was Army, last time I crossed a F-111 unit, was a ANG or AFRES F model sqd in 1994. This was long time ago, so if it wasn't F, my apologies, and like I said, I was Army (13A) Field Artillery. Sqd XO , who doubled also as S-3 operations officer. How? Is that even legal? On operational availability, readiness to deploy now (at the time). He admitted , I was 1Lt (O-2) at time, he was Major, that it was low. About 1/3 of 12 assigned airframes could fly to theater and drop weapons. Half of crews were not 'deployable'. One of those airframes has low op ECM-Def suite. No flare, chaff OK, and Low-Med power restriction on emitter pod. He was talking to Army Res. LTC. My job was to breath and say 'Yesir". This is what I recall, and I don't quite know the details of ECM pods in actual use at time, per USAF regulations. So an explanation from crew or maintainer, or planner would be cool. But stay within applied classifications , if any still apply after almost 30 years.
P.S. They had pods that when hung underneath F-111 fuselage , made it look like a male horse with a huge erection. How that phalic symbology made it past USAF, I have no clue? Perhaps they did not care about appearances back then.
if a crew exceeds stated restriction, during mission, is that recorded objectively, by some black box?
@@dkoz8321
No F-111s were ever in the ANG or Reserve.
The last base that had any F-111s, was Cannon AFB, NM.
After the 48th TFW at RAF Lakenheath, the F-111Fs went to Cannon AFB.
The F-111Ds left Cannon for the boneyard.
american airborne trooper here...just a qwik shout out to all the brave and crazy aussies...worked with them when i was in the 82nd...awesome group of guys and gals...*airborne salute*
As a kid I remember F111's flying over my home as I lay on the front lawn. They were that low you felt you could touch them. Great plane and there is nothing like an F111 doing a dump and burn
You must have been around Amberley or Leichhardt. I remember doing the same and seeing those early dump and burns when you thought the plane would crash
My father, Ben Toney, retired as Program Director for the F-111 in 2003. He travelled to Australia regularly, and really enjoyed his relationship with the RAAF. Unfortunately, he didn't live to see its retirement. I'm sure he would have been there and enjoyed watching the celebration.
Chris Toney I’m sure he will be well remembered within the Squadron mate. Salute.
Anyone who’s witnessed the awesome ‘dump and burn’ will never forget this incredibly potent jet. Great video.
USAF for 20 years, 1981 - F111 Retirement, then to F-16's till 2001. I miss that old girl. Thanks for flying her as long as you did. So pissed that most of yours got buried though!!!! :(
Yep, it was a clause in the contract of sale that they had to be disposed of or rendered non-airworthy (the museum airframes). I think because the US were nervous back in the 1960s/70s when they were purchased because of the whole nuclear capabilities the Pig had.
Worked on the FB111a for 11 years. It would later be the F111G model. When I first started working on it it had some problems. Later after the the jet engine fuel control and AMP updates we be came the Maytag repair man with very little work. This aircraft was my baby and is was sad to see it leave.
Exciting childhood memory 35 plus years ago: an RAAF F-111 visited the Hamilton (NZ) air show. After giving us a good look on the ground, it took off, turned so we could clearly see its wings going back then screamed over us in a low level pass - seemed like a mere few feet above the ground. The sound and speed were unbelievable.
Whats NZ goanna do airspace wise? Not exactly pulling your weight in the region in that regard.
@@craigmoloney4486 fucking savage
Thank you for the Vid mate, My Fav part is we loaned 24 F-4 Phantom II's waiting for our F-111's. Being an Aircraft Engineer for an airline I saw the F-111 come to Sydney twice and was impressed by the size... Big aircraft for the performance it had....
Huge aircraft was was so versatile it boggled the mind. From speaking with a few RAAF-ies back then... they were't fun to work on as Engineers... a lot became sick from working inside fuel tanks and the Fuse had parts made with Asbestos... that's why they buried a number of airframes.
Brilliant vid and quite sad as they really were a great aircraft with so many new revolutionary ideas.
My favorite airplane of all time... Amazing airframe
I was there that day as part of the team that procured/introduced the superhornet and although in my 30yr career i never worked on the "pigs" i knew a lot of guys and girls that did. Very emotional day for all..same emotions today watching this 10 yrs later. Thanks for posting..pity it took this long to find...
This video nearly made me cry :/ Goodbye PIG you will forever be in my heart.
I work on the D model in the USAF.
Awesome plane.
I loaded bombs on the A, D, and F models between 1977-1986 which qualified me to work on all F-111’s in the U.S. Air Force inventory. I have never seen the fuel dump flame the whole time I was in, just heard about it. Guess it cost too much to waste all that fuel. Wasn’t until I watched your C models doing air shows on TH-cam that I finally got to see the spectacle 👍🏼 Great Fun!
Joe Calobeer yes. Australian’s were the only ones to do the ‘fuel dump’.
I was told that an American pilot had some issues after doing it, so all US pilots were told not to do it, the ozzys carried it on though lol
only us Aussies are crazy enough to call that fun
Thank you for sharing this great footage. I would have given anything to be there on that sad sad day. Everything about this aircraft was magic despite its age.
F-111 Blackhander from 2007-END . Best aircraft I ever worked on . Best Aircraft the RAAF ever had. Nice footage mate... a tear does run down the cheek in memory of good times. Thank you.
Ross Manley - dear fuckwit... you cannot keep high performance military aircraft airworthy indefinitely... they live very tough lives and eventually wear out... retiring them was not a political decision, it was a technical decision.
@@FallenPhoenix86 He's right airframes have flight time limits due to stress and strain.
Don't listen to those f@$kwits,a top plane,could easily be flying today.matainence is key +upgrades.no RAAF PLANE OF TODAY CAN DO WHAT IT CAN...........🇭🇲🇺🇲🚫💩
@@FallenPhoenix86 Dear FUCKWIT. You have outed yourself.
@@grahamlucas2712
Reading comprehension really isnt one of your strengths is it?
Everything I said is correct... but it was in response to a comment that's now been deleted... engage your brain first if you'd care to respond further.... otherwise just fuck off :)
Grew up watching these under their flight path as a kid, then lucky enough to work on them at Amberley as a student in 1985. The Ferrari of all jets...🇦🇺
I was born and raised about 45 miles from the City of Plattsburgh in Upstate NY, about an hour South of Montreal, Canada, and there used to be a USAF SAC Base in Plattsburgh, with the KC135 Refueler Planes, and FB111's. I miss hearing their super loud roar whenever I am visiting the area. I now live in Central Delaware, not very far from Dover, and the Dover Air Force Base, but no FB111's or KC135's there at Dover. Still get to see the C5's, and C17's, and hear their roar, but it's just not the same.
I worked on the F-111D at the 522nd at Cannon AFB, NM, from 1991-1992, as an electrical and environmental specialist. This was my first plane. It was sure not easy to work on, like an F-16 or F15, but man it sure taught me a lot. I miss those days! This video sure brings up a lot of pride and memories. Great plane! Great people! Sad to see the old girl go.
27th AMS A-shop, at Cannon AFB, 1972-76. Wow we were 20 years apart, same planes.
B Shop, 523rd, 1979-82.
My 1st love -- FB-111A, I worked 88'-90' at Pease AFB NH. What a great demo! I did a tour with the USAF Thunderbirds and to see this demo in delta formation - how awesome! Thanks for sharing!
FMS jet engine tech. At Plattsburgh AFB when we transitioned from B-52G to FB111(A). Best engine trim out plane ever, jumped chocks several times, DCM was not happy. Neither was the 380th Commander. Biggest Corvette I ever had. So much power. 1970-1972
Worked the F-111 (A)(D)(E)(F)(G) during my career. Gotta say, I loved that plane. While TDY in Portugal, the soon to retire squadron commander set up an "airfield flyby" for us. Four F models, flying single ship compass point runs at about 200 feet made for an awesome experience. Dirt, little rocks, tree branches, and everything else not tied down went airborne. We loved it but the dog handlers who were guarding our area didn't seem impressed and the dogs - even less so.
Lived at RAF Mildenhall but went to school at RAF Lakenheath in the 80s. Man what fun with these things taking off on afterburn, school might as well have been closed up during that time - notably March-April 86. Proud to have contributed an "Operation El Dorado Canyon" patch to the USMC compound in Moscow … wouldn't trade the dependent life I had for any pile of money. Cheers for the video, many memories …
Thank you Paul! I was at SAC 380th AMS, PAFB, NY 1969-73, for first FB-111A.
Bloody nice bit of video work. Thanks for posting this. Its been hard to find decent footage without music etc. But also just great to see them one final time in all their glory. Very sad they had to retire them so soon. I'm sure if they'd looked after them they would have got another 20yrs out of the aircraft. Especially if they've been built anywhere near as well as the old B52s.
Great video,am old enough to remember seeing them low level through the English Lake District in the 80’s.Loved that aircraft.
Grew up in Clovis NM watching these beautiful planes training at cannon AFB. Brings back lots of memories. You should have heard the engines being tested after overhaul. Shook the walls of your house in after burn mode.
Spellbound, when I saw these at Richmond.Thanks.
Watching this brings back great memories! I served at 6SQN from Jan2001 until Dec 2004 in Logistics Section. Loved the Pig on a quiet night shift would go out and watch them take off! From a stricktly Supply point of view a bloody Pain on account of their age. But I loved the Pig, The look,the sound! Plus I got to fly in one which I`ll never forget. Long live the PIG!
You're so lucky you got to fly in one
what a shame to see an awesome airplane retired. Great video
In my mind, the most awesome plane ever built...
What an amazing display. I remember visiting the General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) plant where they were built, on Fort Worth. There's a swing wing test airframe parked off of Interstate 30 at Turner's Army Surplus, west of Texarkana, Texas.
Buy it now before the Chinese buy it.
Very sad day for a very proud acft that has given its all since 'Nam. Cracks all aviator's heart strings.
Great piece of aviation history beautifully captured. Well done.
seen it in the flesh and this made me shed a tear
I miss my 111's. First love is the best love.
Loved it. Some really good cam work, I'm a photog who specialized in airshows for a a couple of decades, so I am really impressed. Wish I could have been there.
I started with 482MSqn in 1968 and was taught by the US GD tech reps at the ATSW building with no windows before going to the USA. Made a lot of friends there. Sadly a few of them have passed too early due to the fuel tank repair illness.
I was involved in about the last mod for F-111: F-111 AMP, at McClellan. Believe it or not it was one of the last Grumman Aerospace contracts (rare non Navy project). We kit proof a few, first supposed to be 55 aircraft, then 44, then a few less and finally maybe just the Australian ones, we never knew until it was essentially cancelled. Too bad.
Such a shame they were retired, one of the fastest and most agile fighter/ bombers in the world.
Have lived on the New Hampshire seacoast since 1958. Under the flight path out of former Pease AFB. And have seen the B-47, B-52, and FB-111. Alas, the latter left forever when Pease closed in 1991 and I believe Pease was the last to base the FB-111 while still in the Strategic Air Command inventory. [Pease was also the last to retain the B-47 as well. Trivia - there were two bomb wings and 8 related squadrons of B-47s at the then new Pease. A testament to the base's so close to Europe early Cold War importance.] Whereas the B-47 (and the associated KC-97) was my first memory and dear to the heart, it is the FB-111s I miss most. Graceful in unswept flight out over the marshes and on to the Atlantic. But a beast nonetheless all armed with nuclear weaponry. And the afterburner roar on takeoff could be heard 10 miles away. I can hear and see them still.
Pease does retain the NH ANG with its ancient KC-135s and has been designated the first to receive the new yet seemingly forever troubled KC-46A. It may be the KC-46G by the time it arrives. But nothing can replace SAC. So this video is poignant and the longing to see SAC Aardvarks in skies again is strong. The Australians surely did love them. As many did here. Birds of a feather. All missing the heavenly Pig.
Sometimes I see certain planes and even though I'm not a pilot, they just make me think 'Fuck YES!"
Spitfire, P-51, Sea Fury, F-4 Phantom, A-4 Skyhawk...F-111.
I've felt the heat blast of a fuel dump/burn and it will remain with me forever.
Great video!
Add to those the Victor, F-105, A-5 (RA-5C) and the F-104 just for being damn pretty and sexy
Beautiful airplane. Thank you and God bless from an ANZAC cousin over the 'ditch'.
What a beast. I remember them speeding past my school almost every day...Unbelievable aircraft...
My 4 yr old loved it, he can also name many US and Russian built aircraft by silhouette alone. His room is full of model planes and all he talks about is planes all day.
I'm glad i got to take him.
When l lived in Collier Row , Romford , there were always a huge variety of aircraft flying over . Concorde was heard long before it appeared . But a new sound made me look up and spot the F 111s . Next day we learned Libya had been " Visited " !
Only one word to describe this video.
Awesome. Brilliant bit of footage, and an aircraft that will be greatly missed.
Respect from the RAF :)
Still a majestic looking aircraft a shame we only see them in museums these days !
she was the complete package - the sound, the look, the capability, nothing will replace her - off to OKRA soon and wish I still had her at my back
I noticed these sound a lot like the F-35. They’re very likely just as loud too as the F-35 has 40,000 pounds of thrust and the F-111’s total thrust would actually be more than that as they have 25,000 pounds of thrust per engine. Their noise level was prb deafening in full afterburner unlike the F-35
Thats a shame. A modernized rebuilt F-111F+ would have been a potent platform. With new digital AESA radar with ASAR ground mapping, SniperXR pod it could accurately deliver dozens of JDAMS or 6 JSOWs per mission sortie. Likely it could have carry multiple Harpoons or new Advanced Anti-Ship Missile stealthy munition. Its big enough with large enough engines to carry potent ECM suite.
That is one of the saddest things that I have watched in Australian History.
‘Lest we forget’..
I worked in the Avionics Forward Supply Point at Takhli RTAFB with the F-111 for almost its entire time there. 6280th CSG.
Flown into Pearce, W.A. Trucked into some Godforsaken piece of desert in W.A. and summarily cut up with angle-grinders, thence buried in the desert.
Unforgivable.
Hey, we were both there.....that's me in the blue shirt.
In 2004 I was the AFHQ bean-counter that did the number crunch that contributed to the F-111 retirement decision (two other aircraft types were also considered for retirement - part of a Government directed funding reduction). When government chose which aircraft type to retire, I travelled to Amberley with an AIRCDRE to tell the Wing OC and his Sqn CO's the bad news. Was one of the sadest days of my time working for Defence - the looks on their faces was as if they had lost a child (they - truely thought they had). So congratulations to the Wing for flying them right out to 2010 and to AFHQ for mounting the case to fly them 6 extra years more than what the Government and Department of Finance had originally intended.
Brings a tear to the eye.
We Aussies, true Aussies loved our Pigs and it was a sad day when they left us. I will never forget our F111 and will always hold them dearly
I was at Cannon AFB in 1975-77 and F-111D were there.
I remember seeing Lakenheath's birds in Spain in 1982. I'll never forget the size of the tailpipes. Remember when we had to fly around Frances airspace to visit Libya, with a message from Ron Reagan?
Timothy Dodd We lived in Felixstowe England in 1970. Dad worked at Bentwaters AFB, My older sisters and I went to school at Mildenhall AFB, and the hospital we went to was at Lakenheath AFB where we used to watch the F-111A's often. I got a battery operated F-111A for Christmas one year and it was my favorite toy for awhile. I wish I still had it now.
Tom Clancy really gave these their due, heroically, in Red Storm Rising (1986).
I Know I saw a documentary where they buried all the retired F-111 in a landfill or something like that somewhere in Australia.
Why???
@@nutster9000
It was a condition of sale stipulated by the US when Australia bought them that they were to be destroyed once retired. Concerns of nuclear capable planes getting into the wrong hands apparently.
Although there's nothing "F" about it...the 111 was an amazing airplane. The size of a DC-9, no 1-v-1ACM capability and a maintenance nightmare...but it was about the fastest low level bomber of it's era. My grandfather worked on it during his time at GD during the 60's and even though he liked "his" B-58 more...said the 111 carried a lot of the "lessons learned" from the "Hustler" through some growing pains...
TakeDeadAim p
Great video, thanks for sharing!
Great video, cheers. At 3:34, is that five F1/11's being flanked by two F18's?
Truly a sad day, when the much beloved F1-11's retire forever, they will be missed by many a civilian who enjoyed the spectacle of them flying, I know, I'm one of them!
Nice display at RAAF base Amberley at the Boeing Hangar, shame they retired.
What an awesome plane !
Por favor,alguém sabe me dizer se esse jato f-111 de número 135 foi o que Ayrton Senna vôo em 1991?
BTW love that fly pass at 12.00 FUCKING BEAUTIFUL.
And I remember the bombing runs at Pukapunual years ago backj in the early 70's "BOOMFA'"
MAGNIFICENT STUFF.
Loved the F111.
Anyone tell me why there taking off with a strong tailwind?
Your source???? Doesn't matter about the wind.
When the engines are wound up, they get up and go.
"After 37 years of service they are being replaced by the FA-18F Super Hornets."
No they're not.
No - they're not.
Except for how, you know, Nos. 1 & 6 Sqns had completely replaced with F/A-18Fs on a one for one basis (until 6 Sqn re-equipped with EA-18 Growlers in 2017).
So yes. Yes they were.
@@Booyaka9000 well james roberts replaced greg inglis too. Right??
No.
No he didnt.
its like these replaced the old Canberras but we had to use F4 Phantoms for a few years as a stop gap till the F111C was delivered I remember when this was the TFX A or B and we decided we wanted both in one lol the F35 may not be as awesome but with how us Aussies do things we will make it do all we need
@@Booyaka9000
Except they were not "replaced" by the F/A-18Fs as they are not equivalent capabilities.
@@beckster181 The JSF-F35's are a dud aircraft. Same as our French Submarines.
Love this aircraft. Great footage! Best ever formation!! (time 12:36) Looks Beautiful
Awesome mate, did you Film this?
Execellent footage, wonderful memories, beautiful day... 6 Pigs from 6Sqn couldn't get any better then that.
To me, it fits into the line of aircraft starting with the DH Mosquito, followed by the EE Canberra. I suppose its European successor is the Tornado, but the Hornet hardly fits the bill, since it started out as a light fighter (losing to the F-16 at first) which got adopted by the US Navy.
at the end they were at a 180-1 maintenance to flight hours ratio. They were great aircraft but it was time to go.
Ha Ha. Not true. The F111C was very reliable and didn't need the hours of maintainance per flying hours you claim. It is time for you to go
A wise concept for Australian needs maybe we need to in house re design a new beast for Australia. Be anywhere in the country with in 1 hour, carry that secret and lo to limited electronics and lots of boost. I'm thankful one of these conducted a medical antidote merci flight from Brisbane to Adelaide fast , for my father. THANKYOU F111
Only plane in history that I know of to gain a combat kill while being completely unarmed EF111 raven electronics countermeasures variant Very interesting story
Yes Aussie pilots ! You loved the fact you's could get down low in the weeds ! Can't do that now ! I get soo sad when I about the powers that be got rid of them !!!! And 4 landfill . Grrrr ! Airshows will never be the same again and I don't think I will bother with going to one again !!
Debra Barton see my post above. Cut them up with angle-grinders.
it will have when its an old aircraft. I know what you're talking about but they said the same thing about the F-4 and so on when they first came out.
Apologies I meant to say 01 to 03 not 13
I grew up with these wizzing overhead.
Fantastic video, there goes our last real bomber 😢
Man I miss the pig😢 Cool video 👍🏻👍🏻
I may not be correct. But I do not believe that any single wing or sqd in active USAF, USAF-R, and ANG ever authorized fuel dump ignition. I dont really see its point. Unless there is some odd chance of combat use to lure heater from flying into nozzles , but detonating 100-200 feet behind the aircraft. Or perhaps making threat beleive that the ship too a hit, and looking for other targets, in WVR/merge ACM. F-111 is not an ACM airframe unless threat is Mig-21 or Mig-23. If any former F-111 crew or maintainer reads this, and wants to offer a correction, I welcome it.
It was just a party trick, had no operational role. The RAAF ended up modifying they system purely to increase the flame size for air shows. Their night time low fly pasts through the city of Brisbane for Riverfire were spectacular! Check out the video of the C17s low pass through the city from this year and previous then imagine that at night, with a screaming F-111 turning night to day.
I was told by an F-111 mechanic that dump and burn had value as a last resort to reduce the accuracy of an impending IR missile strike. I believe no other air force ever authorized dump and burns. If you were to dump fuel to lighten the aircraft before an emergency landing I would have thought burning it would be a more environmentally friendly option. It is mainly a party trick for sure. Anyone who saw and felt the heat from the dump and burn surely remembers it for life.
@@russellgunther You may not realize it. But you have just tottally wrecked climax moment of Die Hard II. When McLane shoots down departing 747 by igniting a fuel trail from open refuel valve. 32 of fantasy gobe just like that! That sequene was as realistic as 'ejection' seat from 60 years old flying boxcar transport.
My Air Force hat is off, to the Aussies who without them, We'd never see the F-111 kicking ass. In SAC it was always Hush ,hush. We never got a picture with our Squadron mates....And we won the Outstanding Unit award...The USAF was pretty bullshit about recognizing us maintenance mechanics...All most like we were a second thought to the Wings success.
mate any chance i can get all your footage from that historic day onto a DVD?
cheers
shane
Fitting. Australia to Arizona. One bad ash plane!
Man, I'll always love the Pig. Just pissed me off to see it pretty much only being used as an airborne flamethrower to wow bogans and car race trash in it's last few years. :(
@@DrWillis1990 Could you educate me about maintenance hours? Roughly what amount of time is spent on combat jet maintenance per flying hour for powerplants, avionics, hydraulics, airframe. I would be interested to know what the split is for older aircraft.
I know the F-15C's at RAF Lakenheath, 35 years old, eat up maintenance hours now, so the ground crews will welcome the F-35's from the practical point of view, though they will surely miss the Eagle for its style.
I am also amazed at the 12 plus hour daily flying hours of short haul airlines, such flying intensity year after year, how do the flying hours compare to the maintenance hours?
The avionics are simpler, the flying is more restrained but they spend as much time in the air as on the ground most of the year.
@@DrWillis1990
Except your maintenance claim is Bullshit.
@@DrWillis1990
You said it all with your opening sentence.
"I am not an expert" Proven by your unsubstantiated opinion.
reading all the comments, looking for names, i worked avionics on the f models at lakenheath in the mid 80's ...love that a
There isn't another aircraft out there that can replace the F-111. remember the first days of the F-111 when it became operationable with the 474TH TFW , Nellis AFB
Harvey H I was at Nellis from 1975 to 77 and worked in the F-111 474 AMS avionics shop
I was with 474TH Civil Engineering SQD
That was 1968-1970
Served at 6 Squadron RAAF from 2001 t o 2013 inclusive at logistics. What a privilege Long live the mighty pig!!
At 14 sec..The noise and power of the F-111 is awesome and is why I am deaf!!!
Andy Smith huh
Always sad to see a bird get retired.
i wish i was there but crikey this fighter jet bomber would have been really loud
Belle job les boys...BRAVO
..and then they buried them in the ground in a mass grave.... SMDH... such a shame. They could have given them back to us (USA) and we could have stored them at Davis Monthan so they could be preserved for displays.
It was a condition of sale stipulated by the US when Australia bought them that they were to be destroyed once retired. Concerns of nuclear capable planes getting into the wrong hands and such...
Byron Harper... When did the Canadian Air Force start flying the Super Hornet? Australia was the first country to buy the super hornet outside America. Australia started to fly the F/A -18 b or c in the early 80's. Both governments went into some kinda thing to keep the "Hornets" flying. You had stress testing of the wings & tail while we did the fuselage. The Australian government only brought the super hornet as a stop gap to the delayed F-35 and because we had a few close calls with losing a F-111. The Australian government are pussies. Still think we could of got another 10 years. Also the Americans had like 10 almost new aircraft to disassemble for parts. As for these ending up in landfill ;( why not keep a few in the air?
Answer:
The CAF DOESN'T fly the Super Hornet because the Canadian government has been going back and forth on the decision on WHAT to replace its F-18A/B models with!
They were committed to buying F-35s at one point (last government before Clinton Obama Trudeau was elected) but that order was cancelled after their last national election. They have a tight budget and they don't want to make a decision because when they do it's going to cost a lot of money. There are no cheap solutions but the Canuck government wants something that is more cutting edge. It's doubtful they'd buy anything 1980s like the Gripen and Rafale really are but the Typhoon is realistically not a great option for Canada, either. They probably SHOULD go with the Super Hornet but there are going to be people pissed off by that because "it's not the latest tech," "it has no 'real' stealth," and "didn't we basically buy this plane in the 1980s?"
(The Typhoon and Rafale are looking more and more like the fighter-equivalent to the A380; great idea on paper but very little market for them and essentially 1980s designs. The governments are going to eat the development costs on these planes and the programs will not make a profit. Lest you think I'm being partisan, that's probably going to be true with the F-35 from the taxpayer perspective ALL AROUND THE WORLD!)
In the meantime, they CAF bought 14-18 retired Australian F-18As because they're in less rough shape than American Hornets which operated off of aircraft carriers, the most punishing environment for any plane to operate in because of the catapults and arresting wires. The CAF needed the retired RAAF Hornets for spares and replacement frames because the Legacy Hornets (A-D models) haven't been made in close to 20 years now!