Aviation Center Australia

The General Dynamics F-111 entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar and after-burning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998 but the RAAF continued to use theirs until 2010.

The RAAF ordered 24 F-111Cs that had serials A8-125 to A8-148. On September 4 1968 the RAAF was handed the first F-111C but the advanced wing sweep mechanism has problems. It wasn’t until 1973 when the problem was solved and the RAAF acceptance was given. The 24 aircraft were delivered in 4 flights with the first flight arriving at Amberley on June 1, 1973. The lead aircraft was A8-125 flown by Group Captain J.W. Newham and Wing Commander T.C. Owen. A8-148, the last aircraft arrived on December 4, 1973. The aircraft was in service with 1 Squadron and then transferred to 6 Squadron. A8-148’s last live ordnance drop took place on May 12-13, 2010. The aircraft was retired on December 3, 2010 and there is a chance it may be heading for preservation.

6 Squadron, 82 Wing - The model includes workable swing wings, crew, landing gear can be displayed up or down, display stand, selection of weapons, drop tanks and a PAVETACK pod that can be shown open or closed.

The General Dynamics F-111 entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar and after-burning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998 but the RAAF continued to use theirs until 2010.


The 1991 NATO Tiger meet was held at RAF Fairford and one of the 16 participants was the 79th TFS of the 20th TFW from RAF Station Upper-Heyford, England. In 1970 the 79th TFS“Tigers” joined converted to the swing-wing F-111. This made it the first European operationally ready unit equipped with the F-111 as well as the first, any where in the world with the “E” variant. The aircraft that represented the 79th was F-111E 68-0049 c/n A/1-218 manufactured in 1968 and painted with a feline paint scheme.

The General Dynamics F-111 “Aardvark” entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay, terrain following radar and afterburning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998.

On July 8, 1958 the 48th BG(light) became the 48th TFW. They were known as the“Liberty Wing” and in 1986 F-111F 70-2390 “Miss Liberty II” was the lead F-111 in Operation El Dorado Canyon. This was retaliation for a Libyan sponsored bombing of a Berlin night club that killed 1 U.S. Serviceman and a civilian also injuring 200 others of which 63 were U.S. Military personnel. 70-2390 flew with the call-sign Remit 31. The 48th TFW F-111’s were operational from March 1, 1977 until November 1991.

The General Dynamics F-111 “Aardvark” entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar and afterburning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998.

In 1988 the 27th TFW was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. That year they received the F-111G when SAC’s 509th and 380th BW’s were disbanded. The primary role for the F-111G was training but in 1991 the "G" was being replaced by the “E” variant. As a result the "G"’s were sent to AMARC for storage and the transfer was complete by 1993. In October 1992 Australia decided to acquire F-111G’s for the RAAF. Fifteen F-111G's were selected and USAF 69-6506 came to the RAAF as A8-506. Apparently upon the arrival of the aircraft it was placed in long term storage and used for spare parts.