One of the most amazing aircraft ever to have flown! Australia has gone from a nation with a strategical strike force to a completely defensive nation. we have lost the only "Ace" we ever had! Shame on the Australian government!
The F-111 was the plane that made Australia *The most potent strike force in south east asia* superseding any other country’s ability to launch a long range strike.
The Australian government thinks that the F111 can be replaced but the fact of the matter is that the F111 is like the A-10, you simply cannot replace them. The F111 for the RAAF was a PR and War Fighting machine. There is a special feeling that you got when you saw these birds in the air and i still get that feeling when watching vids like these. Even though its 3 years since these birds were retired and even longer since i last saw one i still miss them. RIP THE MIGHTY F111 PIG
I worked on USAF F-111E at RAF Upper Heyford UK during the early to mid 70's. I had much respect for the aircraft, pilots and crews. When they were retired I was deeply saddened. But the 20th fighter wing lives on after converting to F'16's at Shaw AFB SC.
I was an SLC team member who worked in Lakenheath's load barn, so I know it all too well. Remember Rivet Workforce? Were you a part of that madness? I bet working on the pivot/ wing root there was a mind-numbing experience!
I was a DCC 57-108 at Mtn Home AFB. It was an honor to work on these birds. When the second Gulf War came around is when I found out the AF dropped them from the inventory. My heart really hit bottom when I found out my old bird had been scrapped. So many vids on here posted of the Aussies doing what we called the "Zippo". If they had done that here in the US as much as it appears you folks did the taxpayers would have been screaming bloody murder about the waste of fuel. Whispering Death
Dremwolf we, the crowds, loved it. You could smell the kerosene for hours after. To think, they were scrapped, their wings angle-ground off, and all (bar one) buried in a remote hole in Australia,...tragic.
I have my 1:72 Scale F111C Die cast model sitting next me as I watch this. I loved the F111 as kid and I still do. Not many things in life make me upset, but the fact that i will never see another F111 in the air again saddens me. Rest In Peace PIG
@deccas1391 Thanks for your good comments. The scene at 1:10 is footage from the opening of Riverfire. The F-111 air crew would announce their position enroute to Brisbane.
The F-111 will always be my favorite. An aircraft so ahead of its time and still unmatched today in many areas. It's a shame United States retired them. It is also a shame the RAAF is replacing them with F/A-18 Super Hornets. The F-111 makes me cry with joy.
nice tune and cool aircraft the f111 fighter bomber variable geometry macht2 or close to that its a shame these are being retired these old aicraft should be preserved in flying condition even if they are to be replaced by other aircraft and kept indoors when not flying
The fuel dump was to be used in emergency landings, as to rid the ACFT of fuel for net landings or hook landings. But the good old boys in Aussie land turned it into a show. No American bases would allow such a show. The USAF was too disciplined to ever use the dump switch. Except in REAL emergencies. But it does look cool.
Andy Smith our Aardvark pilots were pretty good too Andy. Disciplined as fuck. Except they were allowed to do the dump and burn regularly. The crowds loved it and oh my God,...the smell of the AVGAS. Look for the vid of the Australian F111 belly landing by the rookie crew. Re-wrote the text book.
The soundtrack to this video - TV Rock - "In The Air" is featured on the DanceAID+ Compilation. All proceeds will be donated to the Queensland floods. itunes.apple.com/au/album/danceaid/id415604454
With our fairly good economic situation, I think the gov should keep one F-111 running for airshows, events, etc, it's really our most iconic and beloved aircraft to people here and around the world. I mean, look at the Vulcan, etc in the UK, people have kept it running for years purely just for airshows and it's a lot more exotic than the Aardvark, it'd only cost maybe a hundred k or 2 a year if it was stored for most of the year or something right?
We Yanks called her "The Switchblade " or the "Road Runner"-she was the fastest most accurate Sac/ Tac Jet bomber ever bulit- she has had quite a good history and has gotten no real acknowledgement from most USAF wanks.The 111 will always be whispering death to and unsuspecting enemy and a great ahead of its time design by Gen Dyn,She made HISTORY-Vietnam ,Libya and the Gulf War KUDOS!!!!!!
Music sucked but love the Pig. What an aircraft and sadly nothing exists like it today. We lost a huge capability with the F-111 retirement. Sure the Rhino is a good aircraft but does not have the same medium range strike precision capability (without tanker support) that the 111 had. Imagine if the numbnuts in the US designed and built a modernised F-111? Medium range precision strike aircraft with the latest engines, modern avionics and weapons. Would be a fearsome weapon system. Unlike the f35 lemon that carries a small payload, needs huge tanker assistance and even after billions of additional funds still can’t do half the jobs it’s meant to.
I remember when Ronald Reagan used these to bomb Libya and Qadaffi after the Achille Lauro incident in the Med. I have also seen her on airshow display at of all places, in New Zealand. A great plane that has not yet seen its end. A versatile bomber indeed.
I believe the F-111 is still a more suitable aircraft for our purposes than its replacement the F35 Lightning II Why? because of our isolation the F35 is lacking. 1) F111 speed Mach 2.5 F35 speed Mach 1.6 2) F111 payload 16,000kg F35 payload 9,000kg 3) F111 combat range 2,140 km F35 1,090 km 4) F111 Service ceiling: 66,000 ft F35 60,000 ft Ok F35 supporters, let me have it, lol
cobra60six I don’t think the F-35 was designed to fly up to Jakarta and drop bombs... You are comparing two different aircraft from two different eras.
Gameknight the F-35 has no projection offence. It’s an bloody expensive toy. The F1, fully loaded out, was a true, fuck you, offensive weapon platform.
The f111 can not be replaced
One of the most amazing aircraft ever to have flown!
Australia has gone from a nation with a strategical strike force to a completely defensive nation. we have lost the only "Ace" we ever had! Shame on the Australian government!
therealspudnic very well said it was our ace plane said very well and they buried them like a dog 😢
The F-111 was the plane that made Australia *The most potent strike force in south east asia* superseding any other country’s ability to launch a long range strike.
The Australian government thinks that the F111 can be replaced but the fact of the matter is that the F111 is like the A-10, you simply cannot replace them. The F111 for the RAAF was a PR and War Fighting machine. There is a special feeling that you got when you saw these birds in the air and i still get that feeling when watching vids like these.
Even though its 3 years since these birds were retired and even longer since i last saw one i still miss them. RIP THE MIGHTY F111 PIG
Aussie_Mofo the only word for this jet was awesome “
I worked on USAF F-111E at RAF Upper Heyford UK during the early to mid 70's. I had much respect for the aircraft, pilots and crews. When they were retired I was deeply saddened. But the 20th fighter wing lives on after converting to F'16's at Shaw AFB SC.
The F-111 is being retired today - at least the memory of the Aardvark will stay strong for many years to come.
Miss the f111's so much
Intermediate range Strike Bomber that can't be replaced. The Rhinos just don't have the range of these babies.
If they ran this as a recruitment ad on TV.....heck i would join...... great video.
I was an SLC team member who worked in Lakenheath's load barn, so I know it all too well. Remember Rivet Workforce? Were you a part of that madness? I bet working on the pivot/ wing root there was a mind-numbing experience!
I was a DCC 57-108 at Mtn Home AFB. It was an honor to work on these birds. When the second Gulf War came around is when I found out the AF dropped them from the inventory. My heart really hit bottom when I found out my old bird had been scrapped.
So many vids on here posted of the Aussies doing what we called the "Zippo". If they had done that here in the US as much as it appears you folks did the taxpayers would have been screaming bloody murder about the waste of fuel.
Whispering Death
Dremwolf we, the crowds, loved it. You could smell the kerosene for hours after.
To think, they were scrapped, their wings angle-ground off, and all (bar one) buried in a remote hole in Australia,...tragic.
Cool video clip the best i have seen on the f111
I have my 1:72 Scale F111C Die cast model sitting next me as I watch this. I loved the F111 as kid and I still do. Not many things in life make me upset, but the fact that i will never see another F111 in the air again saddens me. Rest In Peace PIG
Awesome mate 👍🇳🇿
Yeah, I was a weapons loader at Cannon, and Lakenheath. Like you, I really miss that jet. Never thought I would.
jonesy97 it was just a amazing fast awsome looking !! jet
Beautiful tribute to an incredible strike platform
Awesome! I spent most of my career in SAC and loved the FB-111, sorry to see them all gone.
@deccas1391 Thanks for your good comments. The scene at 1:10 is footage from the opening of Riverfire. The F-111 air crew would announce their position enroute to Brisbane.
At about 3:16, the editing and timing, and build-up in the song all culminate perfectly at 3:35. Really, really top stuff uploader.
Top video, best I've seen on the F-111.... 5 stars well done.
The F-111 will always be my favorite. An aircraft so ahead of its time and still unmatched today in many areas. It's a shame United States retired them. It is also a shame the RAAF is replacing them with F/A-18 Super Hornets. The F-111 makes me cry with joy.
Whenever I hear this song, this video keeps playing in my head ;)
great vid mate, F-111 is an excellant aircraft, farewell Pigs, welcome Rhinos
very very good gonna miss seeing them in the sky
Awesome work mate!! Video rocks. Gonna miss this... Riverfire is just not gonna be the same anymore.
oh they were the dayz
nice tune and cool aircraft the f111 fighter bomber variable geometry macht2 or close to that its a shame these are being retired these old aicraft should be preserved in flying condition even if they are to be replaced by other aircraft and kept indoors when not flying
top video and top song, Well done.
Fantastic video, fantastic plane.
The fuel dump was to be used in emergency landings, as to rid the ACFT of fuel for net landings or hook landings. But the good old boys in Aussie land turned it into a show. No American bases would allow such a show. The USAF was too disciplined to ever use the dump switch. Except in REAL emergencies. But it does look cool.
Andy Smith our Aardvark pilots were pretty good too Andy. Disciplined as fuck. Except they were allowed to do the dump and burn regularly. The crowds loved it and oh my God,...the smell of the AVGAS.
Look for the vid of the Australian F111 belly landing by the rookie crew. Re-wrote the text book.
The soundtrack to this video - TV Rock - "In The Air" is featured on the DanceAID+ Compilation. All proceeds will be donated to the Queensland floods.
itunes.apple.com/au/album/danceaid/id415604454
Amen!!
With our fairly good economic situation, I think the gov should keep one F-111 running for airshows, events, etc, it's really our most iconic and beloved aircraft to people here and around the world.
I mean, look at the Vulcan, etc in the UK, people have kept it running for years purely just for airshows and it's a lot more exotic than the Aardvark, it'd only cost maybe a hundred k or 2 a year if it was stored for most of the year or something right?
God I miss the pigs.😢
We Yanks called her "The Switchblade " or the "Road Runner"-she was the fastest most accurate Sac/ Tac Jet bomber ever bulit- she has had quite a good history and has gotten no real acknowledgement from most USAF wanks.The 111 will always be whispering death to and unsuspecting enemy and a great ahead of its time design by Gen Dyn,She made HISTORY-Vietnam ,Libya and the Gulf War KUDOS!!!!!!
Music sucked but love the Pig. What an aircraft and sadly nothing exists like it today. We lost a huge capability with the F-111 retirement. Sure the Rhino is a good aircraft but does not have the same medium range strike precision capability (without tanker support) that the 111 had.
Imagine if the numbnuts in the US designed and built a modernised F-111? Medium range precision strike aircraft with the latest engines, modern avionics and weapons. Would be a fearsome weapon system. Unlike the f35 lemon that carries a small payload, needs huge tanker assistance and even after billions of additional funds still can’t do half the jobs it’s meant to.
3:54 - 1x F111 Deploys more bombs than 2x F/A18s ;)
I remember when Ronald Reagan used these to bomb Libya and Qadaffi after the Achille Lauro incident in the Med. I have also seen her on airshow display at of all places, in New Zealand. A great plane that has not yet seen its end. A versatile bomber indeed.
🇦🇸
It looks like the F-111 needs to be pulled out of retirement and go perform another Libya Raid.
Formula One Plus
Cars don't have a class that high.
I believe the F-111 is still a more suitable aircraft for our purposes than its replacement the F35 Lightning II
Why? because of our isolation the F35 is lacking.
1) F111 speed Mach 2.5 F35 speed Mach 1.6
2) F111 payload 16,000kg F35 payload 9,000kg
3) F111 combat range 2,140 km F35 1,090 km
4) F111 Service ceiling: 66,000 ft F35 60,000 ft
Ok F35 supporters, let me have it, lol
cobra60six I don’t think the F-35 was designed to fly up to Jakarta and drop bombs... You are comparing two different aircraft from two different eras.
Gameknight the F-35 has no projection offence. It’s an bloody expensive toy.
The F1, fully loaded out, was a true, fuck you, offensive weapon platform.
Bet Australia had taken better care if their planes with China lusting for everything in the Pacific.