Thanks for the video, takes me back to my days at General Dynamics. I got to build a lot of different parts on the 111, landing gear door, tail section, slats, flaps and even a few sticks the pilots used to fly the 111.
These would zoom over us in the surf when we were kids, flying south from Amberley to the weapons range at Evans Head. It's ingrained in my memory and I'm still awe struck.
Brilliant Video, hope there's more to follow on the f-111! I live in North Northumberland and grew up watching the fox-111's entering low level at Amble Light en route to Spadeadam Range. Me and a good mate would also listen to them on UHF and HF heard some great radio chit chat :)
I remember many years ago, talking to a neighbour of my parents in Norfolk. He worked on F-III F safety equipment at Lakenheath. He had a couple of flights, one in Turkey where they were flying at high speed and low level, and the pilot had his hands on his knees, relying on the TFR. He said it concentrates the mind.
Again, one of my fav military types. Going in low in an F-111 or A-6E in the worst weather possible must do wonders for the adrenalin supply. Great video.
I particularly liked his comment: "The F104 was too slow, if it went fast it used all its fuel in five minutes, so it had to fly slow to get anywhere, but we could go fast and keep going"
Know it well. I used to look after the heating and Hot water in all the facilities on the base from 86-93. Happy days. Sad to see it now...buildings flattened...all those new houses crammed into the old domestic side of the airfield.
I was a weapons systems specialist (bomb loader) on the F-111F during Desert Shield/ Storm in Taif, Saudi Arabia, and as far as the accidental punching out of chaff and flares, we had them too! I had to work EOR duty now and then, and a few times when the aircrew would reach to turn off the gear lights (so they don't blind the CC who's marshaling the a/c) they would strike that long switch, and wham, out pops & ignites a flare, which is a solid block of magnesium that's brighter than the sun. Melts right into the ramp. Heard Jeff talking about that in his interview. That switch is in a poor location.
Lived in Dallas Fort Worth in the late 60’s home of the 111. They were flying everywhere. In the field, by the time you heard it, would be way too late ….👍🏻
I watched them as a kid during the 70's and 80's here in the UK, I live in Milton Keynes and RAF Upper Heyford was my local base, most fly overs were about 2000ft as they were close to approaching the circuit about 20NM but occasionally we would get a fast pass, it's a pity they left in the 90's, great days.
Your guys came over the ditch on quite a few occasions. sometimes based at Christchurch. The buzz and breaks and dump and burns were always great to watch.
I worked on this project F-111 code name Aardvark radar revisions out of Norden Systems Norwalk ,Ct. I was an inspector it was my inspection report on the 1st board the grandmother board of the F-111's radar system off of the wave solder machine had over 700 defects mostly insufficient solder I was over ridden just like a co worker on that day in 1986 January when STS blew up Inspection told them they should not launch , and we all know what happened..what a shame all branches of the military pulled out it was the last straw over 5,000 war workers lost there job .the F-111 's started getting decommissioned. what a shame I worked so hard and fought so hard for the F-111
I want an F-111 preferably the latest model. It would be an excellent private fighter jet. Its got a very long range, the ejection system is great for someone with little training because of the capsule and that on the ground the capsule can be used for shelter in cold environments. And it would be fun because its very fast mach 2, its side by side seating so theres a tiny bit more sholder space. And once demilitarized it would be alot lighter no radar, computers for weapon systems. Sweet
I'm pretty sure that is the flightline at RAF Upper Heyford. I spent years there maintaining the weather equipment and on occasion, taking a break in the RSU watching the F-111's take off and land. My most memorable moment? Being in the weather station when a One-eleven call in inflight emergency shortly after take-off. I knew something was up when I saw the Base Commanders staff car chasing down the runway with the Emergency response vehicles. I'm told the crew chief for that aircraft was off the base the next day.
Thanks. I wasn't sure what I was seeing or if it was heyford they took off from (was watching for the tower I worked in but didn't see it). I lived in middle barton while serving in the AF 75-77.
Mike Young After seeing the video of his full interview, this would be from Jeff’s 2nd Tour as the M40 is a relatively new Motorway (HIghway), built in the late 80s. I’m a Brit that lived in Ambrosdon in the 80s as a kid and took my first flight experience from Upper Heyford as a Scout. I now have my PPL (25 years later) and fly from Turweston, so UH is now pretty free airspace 5 minutes away. I always enjoyed watching the F111s land on R27 as they flew over the B4100.
We set the wings to several "standard" sweeps for normal flying. Sixteen degrees was full forward for takeoff and landing. Once cleaned up, the wings would go back to the next "standard" sweep of twenty-six degrees. There were locks, or detents on the wing sweep control to make it easy to hit these positions, and to prevent sweeping the wings too far aft with flaps and slats extended because the wings couldn't retract into the fuselage with flaps or slats extended. There were also locks that could be set to prevent sweeping ordinance into the fuselage if carrying large bombs on the inboard pylons. Once cruising around, it was standard to set the throttles to a position that resulted in best L/D for the fan blades, and leave them set there. Then, we'd vary the wing sweep to achieve most efficient airframe L/D as well. The result was, as fuel was consumed, we'd go faster and faster at the same throttle setting with the wings slowly going further back all the time. Aerodynamically, the F-111 was a T-37 with the wings forward, and an F-106 with the wings back. Fun Jet.
I grew up central to four US Air Force bases in Germany. Now, I live in a country that has no air force to speak of. Funny, how much I miss the sound....
I imagine we might be hearing from RAAF guys sometime soon. They were THE OTHER F-111 user. I have a feeling they actually appreciated the plane more than the USAF did! They operated their planes maybe a smidgeon longer the US (RAAF service mid-1970s to 2011?). American planes were in service I think from the late 1960s (mostly experimental use, limited combat useage in Vietnam because of mechanical bugs) to the late 1990s. The last American planes retired were the EF-111A Raven EW conversions (1997 retirement?). The other models were retired yearly between 1992 and 1996 (F-model being the last attack type retired). I don't think they kept the planes in reserve for very long before they started scrapping airframes after they were scavenged for parts to sell to support the RAAF F-111 fleet. The surviving RAAF F-111s not slated for museum display were actually buried in the ground! There are still examples of every F-111 model (excepting probably the F-111C, the Australian model) preserved in aviation museums across the US. The last intact F-111B is in storage at China Lake -- there have been promises for years that plane is "in the process" of being restored but, oh well!
AvengerII ...buried because of the radiation from the nukes the yanks carried prior to RAAF acquisition. The other airframes were not buried. Seems like the radiation was fine for ground crew, but not for the general public as a static display... Much the same as the de-seal re-seal issue of AU F111 fuel tanks, where they declared fiscal compensation valid for crews working IN tanks in FOB ‘combat’ conditions, but not for the blokes doing the same job behind the lines... True story. I marshalled-in an old F111 once, and it leaked like a sieve. Seals fine at Alt and at speed, but not on the tarmac...
Sorry, I have to say something because the infamous RUclips Gossip bug has bit another thread in the ass. I'm not going to let this go because this comment has to be challenged. First of all, to say the F-111s were buried because they were "radioactive" is ridiculous. Most F-111s were NOT used as "nuke carriers." They were employed as long-ranged conventional attack planes AND reconnaisance aircraft. Modified F-111As (EF-111A) were used as electronics warfare aircraft. FB-111s (later F-111G) would have carried tactical nukes into combat but they never did. The Australian planes, to my knowledge, were NEVER tasked as nuclear carriers. I don't even know if the RAAF has a nuclear component. Many air forces choose NOT to use or practice for nuclear strikes. That depends on their government policy. I know Germany and Japan for sure do NOT use or possess nukes for their armed forces. Airframes do NOT become "dangerously" radioactive just because they carry nukes. The radiation is contained within the shell of the weapons. The only time the radiation would be released (other than a live, ARMED drop) is if the containers were fractured but that's happened very infrequently and usually only as a result of an accident. If you want to be technical, planes both emit (through the operation of their radar; there are hazard notices for high-radiation IF the radar is active as written on the airframes) AND absorb radiation (higher-altitude flight, above 30,000ft; there's less atmospheric particles to absorb radiation from the sun higher up; that's also why planes have to fly FASTER to higher up in the air; there's less air to generate lift by the wings) when they're powered up. Any weapon that has a radar in it IS by definition radioactive -- yes, active-homing weapons (AMRAAM, Meteor) or semi-active (Sparrow) emit radiation. Your wireless router at home emits radiation, too -- not to mention cellphones. Your microwave is also radioactive but you're protected from the radiation by the mesh on the door. The mesh holes are sized to block the specific radiation emitted by the microwave. Just LIVING makes you radioactive because you're giving off radiation yourself and absorbing it from the natural environment and anything and everyone around you. Of course, it's not nowhere NEAR the quantity of radiation released by an active nuclear weapon or reactor but that's not the point. The reason why the planes were buried was the asbestos content in the F-111 airframes. The RAAF chose to dispose of the planes this way because of security arrangements with the US -- it was cheaper than going through the process of removing the asbestos and THEN scrapping them. This way, at least the planes will be secured. Burial is an accepted practice of asbestos disposal, too. The GPS positions have been logged so they'll know if anybody tries to dig something up from the site but it won't happen in 99.9% probability. All the sensitive electronics were already removed and the airframes were buried so that they would be COMPACTED like aluminum cans. The airframes are worthless now as museum pieces or for industrial espionage purposes. The asbestos was embedded in the frames as a fire retardant. Of course, it's not widely used anymore since the carcinogenic effects have been well-documented but that's over long-term exposure (at least months, if not years), not three minutes or a day's worth! A lot has been made about asbestos over the years but as long as it's bound and contained, it's not really that much of a danger to people. It's very, very expensive to remove ALL asbestos (especially from large buildings and ships) so it's usually covered over with another fire-retardant insulator to contain the material when it becomes abraded and cracked into air-carried particulates. It's when the fiber particulates get released and circulate through the air, that's when it's an issue but you have to breathe in A LOT of that stuff over a long time for it to become a serious health hazard. The bane of the Internet is hate and disinformation spread by individuals and groups who have agendas. A lot of it's unintentional but more and more it's very deliberate. No national or ethnic group has a claim on moral superiority -- I've seen bad behavior from EVERY corner. It's very, very ugly to witness and I hate to see it in the aviation threads -- especially between people who are allegedly members of allied countries. If that's not your intention, then please discontinue the use of the word "yanks" because it's a loaded term where a lot of us are concerned. It's just as bad as calling someone a "mick," "kraut," "limey," or worse...
It is my understanding that the airframes were buried as part of the decommissioning agreement signed all those years ago. The radiation story sounds like bullshit to me, though I am open to correction. The RAAF has no nuclear arsenal, though I am pretty sure it did have the potential to deliver if required, hence Indonesia's nervousness at the time we signed up to have acquire the F111 right back in the early 60's!! I think they actually lodged a protest to the UN as the F-111 was capable of delivering ordnance from northern Aussie to Jakarta and return without refuelling, I believe. Now, depending how you look at it, I will say 'fortunately' for us, some may say unfortunately, the delivery of the F111 was so overdue the Australian Government took delivery of 24 F4E Phantoms to plug the capability gap...as a fan of both aircraft I have to say that seeing F-4's in RAAF livery makes me smile. I'm no retired pilot so can't talk about their performance, but I am a plane geek and could sit and look at both F-4's and F-111's all day. Those F-4's were returned to the US after the delivery of the F-111 and I believe were acquired eventually by Israel, some became Wild Weasels also...I'm typing purely from memory of stuff read years ago so once again, happy to be corrected. Also fortunately for myself, about 1.5 hours from my place is Point Cook RAAF museum where both of these beautiful aircraft have static display samples, though the F-4 was not one of the actual Phantoms we used, it is however represented as such. My wife and duaghters have to drag me away when we've been there....just love to look at them. I was fortunate to see F-111's do the airshow dump and burns several times and I rue the day that they were retired. I really wish to see an F-4 in flight one day but I'm saddened to see the last of the USAF F-4's are retired, some of them being used as target drones....Unhappy ending for such a well loved aircraft. Then again, any plane being retired makes me a bit sad! (We crashed 4 of those F4's over the ten years we had them...ooops, sorry...)
Авто/Мото
5:30 Dr Hook singing 'Sharing The Night Together' (1978) on the ADF radio in flight lead.
One of my favourite aircraft. As a teen I use to cycle to Cowden bombing range, and watch these, along with A10 using both the land and sea range.
Thanks for the video, takes me back to my days at General Dynamics. I got to build a lot of different parts on the 111, landing gear door, tail section, slats, flaps and even a few sticks the pilots used to fly the 111.
I saw an F-111 flying flat knacker at tree top height at Amberley in Queensland in Australia in the late 70s. Astonishing stuff. Tightened my tackle .
These would zoom over us in the surf when we were kids, flying south from Amberley to the weapons range at Evans Head. It's ingrained in my memory and I'm still awe struck.
We have Jeff on our Remembering Upper Heyford 1955 - 1994 Facebook Group.
Used to get lakenheath based f111s at manston regularly miss those days
Brilliant Video, hope there's more to follow on the f-111! I live in North Northumberland and grew up watching the fox-111's entering low level at Amble Light en route to Spadeadam Range. Me and a good mate would also listen to them on UHF and HF heard some great radio chit chat :)
That's awesome
I remember many years ago, talking to a neighbour of my parents in Norfolk. He worked on F-III F safety
equipment at Lakenheath. He had a couple of flights, one in Turkey where they were flying at high speed
and low level, and the pilot had his hands on his knees, relying on the TFR. He said it concentrates the mind.
Again, one of my fav military types. Going in low in an F-111 or A-6E in the worst weather possible must do wonders for the adrenalin supply. Great video.
All weather baby
Great historical footage of the Ardie. Glad this stuff exist because so much is lost to time
Nice video thanks. And thanks to Jeff Guinn. If you haven't watching his interview check it out. Great stories from an interesting guy.
I particularly liked his comment: "The F104 was too slow, if it went fast it used all its fuel in five minutes, so it had to fly slow to get anywhere, but we could go fast and keep going"
I haven't seen the interview!
"Whispering Death"....😷 😱
Upper Heyford, RW 09 on a snotty English day. That brings back a few memories. Great vid!
As did I back in the day! Not! :)
Know it well. I used to look after the heating and Hot water in all the facilities on the base from 86-93. Happy days. Sad to see it now...buildings flattened...all those new houses crammed into the old domestic side of the airfield.
Majestic aircraft. Thx for the video!
I was a weapons systems specialist (bomb loader) on the F-111F during Desert Shield/ Storm in Taif, Saudi Arabia, and as far as the accidental punching out of chaff and flares, we had them too! I had to work EOR duty now and then, and a few times when the aircrew would reach to turn off the gear lights (so they don't blind the CC who's marshaling the a/c) they would strike that long switch, and wham, out pops & ignites a flare, which is a solid block of magnesium that's brighter than the sun. Melts right into the ramp. Heard Jeff talking about that in his interview. That switch is in a poor location.
Lived in Dallas Fort Worth in the late 60’s home of the 111. They were flying everywhere. In the field, by the time you heard it, would be way too late ….👍🏻
I watched them as a kid during the 70's and 80's here in the UK, I live in Milton Keynes and RAF Upper Heyford was my local base, most fly overs were about 2000ft as they were close to approaching the circuit about 20NM but occasionally we would get a fast pass, it's a pity they left in the 90's, great days.
grew up with those Super Attack Aircraft at Pease AFB Portsmouth NH.
Excellent thanks,i used to watch F-111`s low level approaching Tain bombing range,ahh those were the days :-)
I was stationed at Upper Heyford 1976 to 1978. It seems like a million years ago.
Terrific video, thanks for sharing it.
This Aussie loved them... witnessed many dump and burns over the years, I wish it had been around a bit more for my boy to see it...
Your guys came over the ditch on quite a few occasions. sometimes based at Christchurch.
The buzz and breaks and dump and burns were always great to watch.
I guess I am pretty randomly asking but do anybody know a good place to watch newly released movies online?
Awesome... we used to get RAAF F111C's here in NZ.. thanks 👍🇳🇿
I worked on this project F-111 code name Aardvark radar revisions out of Norden Systems Norwalk ,Ct. I was an inspector it was my inspection report on the 1st board the grandmother board of the F-111's radar system off of the wave solder machine had over 700 defects mostly insufficient solder I was over ridden just like a co worker on that day in 1986 January when STS blew up Inspection told them they should not launch , and we all know what happened..what a shame all branches of the military pulled out it was the last straw over 5,000 war workers lost there job .the F-111 's started getting decommissioned. what a shame I worked so hard and fought so hard for the F-111
You worked at Norden Systems ? or so other UTC company
Really nice to see. Always wanted a jolly in RAAF days Fuji turner A59235
Playing music in flight, that is cool.
Go t about 1600 hours as a pig driver at Pease AFB. Great fun mixed with a little stark terror.
I want an F-111 preferably the latest model. It would be an excellent private fighter jet. Its got a very long range, the ejection system is great for someone with little training because of the capsule and that on the ground the capsule can be used for shelter in cold environments. And it would be fun because its very fast mach 2, its side by side seating so theres a tiny bit more sholder space. And once demilitarized it would be alot lighter no radar, computers for weapon systems. Sweet
I'm pretty sure that is the flightline at RAF Upper Heyford. I spent years there maintaining the weather equipment and on occasion, taking a break in the RSU watching the F-111's take off and land. My most memorable moment? Being in the weather station when a One-eleven call in inflight emergency shortly after take-off. I knew something was up when I saw the Base Commanders staff car chasing down the runway with the Emergency response vehicles. I'm told the crew chief for that aircraft was off the base the next day.
excellent!
Flying out of Upper Heyford, near Bicester, U.K.
Railway line at 2:35
Ardley village at 2:56
M40 J10 at 3:00
(51.9374861,-1.2498353)
Thanks. I wasn't sure what I was seeing or if it was heyford they took off from (was watching for the tower I worked in but didn't see it). I lived in middle barton while serving in the AF 75-77.
Mike Young After seeing the video of his full interview, this would be from Jeff’s 2nd Tour as the M40 is a relatively new Motorway (HIghway), built in the late 80s. I’m a Brit that lived in Ambrosdon in the 80s as a kid and took my first flight experience from Upper Heyford as a Scout.
I now have my PPL (25 years later) and fly from Turweston, so UH is now pretty free airspace 5 minutes away. I always enjoyed watching the F111s land on R27 as they flew over the B4100.
We use to & see them with my Dad. My Brother & me when we were young then we use to live in Kidlington so it was Local for us.
We were stationed at Upper Heyford from 75-78, and lived in Ardley.
The 111 had a tape deck as well? Wowww 😂😂😂
I was wondering where they were from until I heard the callsign. I used to love watching them come in and use Holbeach Range when I was there.
Very Nice.
Looks like a rare take off to the east,knowing the area the wind nearly always blows from the West
Dr Hook and Roxette!
5:18 Dr Hook - "Sharing The Night Together" (1978).
Great video before GoPro !
Where’s the music coming from....the adf ?
So, what songs were being played in Lead's interphone system? Can't recognize them.
How did the crew know when to swing the wings? Did they go by airspeed, instinct, or booth?
The interview with Jeff Guinn he explained they chose wing position based on what plans they had for the type of flying planned. check out the video.
We set the wings to several "standard" sweeps for normal flying. Sixteen degrees was full forward for takeoff and landing. Once cleaned up, the wings would go back to the next "standard" sweep of twenty-six degrees. There were locks, or detents on the wing sweep control to make it easy to hit these positions, and to prevent sweeping the wings too far aft with flaps and slats extended because the wings couldn't retract into the fuselage with flaps or slats extended. There were also locks that could be set to prevent sweeping ordinance into the fuselage if carrying large bombs on the inboard pylons. Once cruising around, it was standard to set the throttles to a position that resulted in best L/D for the fan blades, and leave them set there. Then, we'd vary the wing sweep to achieve most efficient airframe L/D as well. The result was, as fuel was consumed, we'd go faster and faster at the same throttle setting with the wings slowly going further back all the time. Aerodynamically, the F-111 was a T-37 with the wings forward, and an F-106 with the wings back. Fun Jet.
I grew up central to four US Air Force bases in Germany. Now, I live in a country that has no air force to speak of. Funny, how much I miss the sound....
Given the paint scheme, I would assume this was prior to the Libya trip?
6:04 what is he saying is pretty incredible for a lieutenant?
Sure miss the F-111A, 366th AGS.
I imagine we might be hearing from RAAF guys sometime soon.
They were THE OTHER F-111 user. I have a feeling they actually appreciated the plane more than the USAF did! They operated their planes maybe a smidgeon longer the US (RAAF service mid-1970s to 2011?). American planes were in service I think from the late 1960s (mostly experimental use, limited combat useage in Vietnam because of mechanical bugs) to the late 1990s.
The last American planes retired were the EF-111A Raven EW conversions (1997 retirement?). The other models were retired yearly between 1992 and 1996 (F-model being the last attack type retired). I don't think they kept the planes in reserve for very long before they started scrapping airframes after they were scavenged for parts to sell to support the RAAF F-111 fleet. The surviving RAAF F-111s not slated for museum display were actually buried in the ground! There are still examples of every F-111 model (excepting probably the F-111C, the Australian model) preserved in aviation museums across the US. The last intact F-111B is in storage at China Lake -- there have been promises for years that plane is "in the process" of being restored but, oh well!
AvengerII ...buried because of the radiation from the nukes the yanks carried prior to RAAF acquisition. The other airframes were not buried.
Seems like the radiation was fine for ground crew, but not for the general public as a static display...
Much the same as the de-seal re-seal issue of AU F111 fuel tanks, where they declared fiscal compensation valid for crews working IN tanks in FOB ‘combat’ conditions, but not for the blokes doing the same job behind the lines... True story.
I marshalled-in an old F111 once, and it leaked like a sieve. Seals fine at Alt and at speed, but not on the tarmac...
There is a F-111C at the museum in Pearl Harbor Hawaii
Sorry, I have to say something because the infamous RUclips Gossip bug has bit another thread in the ass. I'm not going to let this go because this comment has to be challenged.
First of all, to say the F-111s were buried because they were "radioactive" is ridiculous. Most F-111s were NOT used as "nuke carriers." They were employed as long-ranged conventional attack planes AND reconnaisance aircraft. Modified F-111As (EF-111A) were used as electronics warfare aircraft. FB-111s (later F-111G) would have carried tactical nukes into combat but they never did.
The Australian planes, to my knowledge, were NEVER tasked as nuclear carriers. I don't even know if the RAAF has a nuclear component. Many air forces choose NOT to use or practice for nuclear strikes. That depends on their government policy. I know Germany and Japan for sure do NOT use or possess nukes for their armed forces. Airframes do NOT become "dangerously" radioactive just because they carry nukes. The radiation is contained within the shell of the weapons. The only time the radiation would be released (other than a live, ARMED drop) is if the containers were fractured but that's happened very infrequently and usually only as a result of an accident.
If you want to be technical, planes both emit (through the operation of their radar; there are hazard notices for high-radiation IF the radar is active as written on the airframes) AND absorb radiation (higher-altitude flight, above 30,000ft; there's less atmospheric particles to absorb radiation from the sun higher up; that's also why planes have to fly FASTER to higher up in the air; there's less air to generate lift by the wings) when they're powered up.
Any weapon that has a radar in it IS by definition radioactive -- yes, active-homing weapons (AMRAAM, Meteor) or semi-active (Sparrow) emit radiation. Your wireless router at home emits radiation, too -- not to mention cellphones. Your microwave is also radioactive but you're protected from the radiation by the mesh on the door. The mesh holes are sized to block the specific radiation emitted by the microwave.
Just LIVING makes you radioactive because you're giving off radiation yourself and absorbing it from the natural environment and anything and everyone around you. Of course, it's not nowhere NEAR the quantity of radiation released by an active nuclear weapon or reactor but that's not the point.
The reason why the planes were buried was the asbestos content in the F-111 airframes. The RAAF chose to dispose of the planes this way because of security arrangements with the US -- it was cheaper than going through the process of removing the asbestos and THEN scrapping them. This way, at least the planes will be secured. Burial is an accepted practice of asbestos disposal, too. The GPS positions have been logged so they'll know if anybody tries to dig something up from the site but it won't happen in 99.9% probability. All the sensitive electronics were already removed and the airframes were buried so that they would be COMPACTED like aluminum cans. The airframes are worthless now as museum pieces or for industrial espionage purposes.
The asbestos was embedded in the frames as a fire retardant. Of course, it's not widely used anymore since the carcinogenic effects have been well-documented but that's over long-term exposure (at least months, if not years), not three minutes or a day's worth! A lot has been made about asbestos over the years but as long as it's bound and contained, it's not really that much of a danger to people. It's very, very expensive to remove ALL asbestos (especially from large buildings and ships) so it's usually covered over with another fire-retardant insulator to contain the material when it becomes abraded and cracked into air-carried particulates. It's when the fiber particulates get released and circulate through the air, that's when it's an issue but you have to breathe in A LOT of that stuff over a long time for it to become a serious health hazard.
The bane of the Internet is hate and disinformation spread by individuals and groups who have agendas. A lot of it's unintentional but more and more it's very deliberate.
No national or ethnic group has a claim on moral superiority -- I've seen bad behavior from EVERY corner. It's very, very ugly to witness and I hate to see it in the aviation threads -- especially between people who are allegedly members of allied countries.
If that's not your intention, then please discontinue the use of the word "yanks" because it's a loaded term where a lot of us are concerned. It's just as bad as calling someone a "mick," "kraut," "limey," or worse...
It is my understanding that the airframes were buried as part of the decommissioning agreement signed all those years ago. The radiation story sounds like bullshit to me, though I am open to correction.
The RAAF has no nuclear arsenal, though I am pretty sure it did have the potential to deliver if required, hence Indonesia's nervousness at the time we signed up to have acquire the F111 right back in the early 60's!! I think they actually lodged a protest to the UN as the F-111 was capable of delivering ordnance from northern Aussie to Jakarta and return without refuelling, I believe.
Now, depending how you look at it, I will say 'fortunately' for us, some may say unfortunately, the delivery of the F111 was so overdue the Australian Government took delivery of 24 F4E Phantoms to plug the capability gap...as a fan of both aircraft I have to say that seeing F-4's in RAAF livery makes me smile.
I'm no retired pilot so can't talk about their performance, but I am a plane geek and could sit and look at both F-4's and F-111's all day.
Those F-4's were returned to the US after the delivery of the F-111 and I believe were acquired eventually by Israel, some became Wild Weasels also...I'm typing purely from memory of stuff read years ago so once again, happy to be corrected.
Also fortunately for myself, about 1.5 hours from my place is Point Cook RAAF museum where both of these beautiful aircraft have static display samples, though the F-4 was not one of the actual Phantoms we used, it is however represented as such. My wife and duaghters have to drag me away when we've been there....just love to look at them.
I was fortunate to see F-111's do the airshow dump and burns several times and I rue the day that they were retired. I really wish to see an F-4 in flight one day but I'm saddened to see the last of the USAF F-4's are retired, some of them being used as target drones....Unhappy ending for such a well loved aircraft. Then again, any plane being retired makes me a bit sad!
(We crashed 4 of those F4's over the ten years we had them...ooops, sorry...)
Correct.
How can they hear music ?
Special (unauthorized) mod, probably paid for with a 12-pack of a favorite adult beverage. ;^)
Wow this is dated. Looks like F-111Es,79th squadron , 20th Fighter Wing, from Upper Heyford , England.
How would a guy get this video in these days? Was it provided by the military or was this a personal cam of some sort?
4:16 i can hear playing music. IS he playing music in the cockpit? 🧐 🤟🤟
The F111 gets a lot of hate but I think she’s amazing and without her we wouldn’t have had the TomCat.
111D or E?
E
UH on the tail making them F-111E
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:General_Dynamics_F-111E_Aardvark,_USA_-_Air_Force_AN1773369.jpg
Excellent video. I have a few on my channel deanoccs
I shall check them out, Deano.
Yes, fellow aviation buffs - they even had amazing VHS potato cams back in the 1980s & '90s! Which frame was your favorite pixel?
Lakenheath? My dad was a weapons loader on these birds in the 80s
TheTomyossarian Upper Heyford
What was his name, because I was a weapons loader there in the late 80's? I worked in the 494th (Red) and in LSC.
worked 55th
I was at upper heyford from 1984 to 1990 as a bomb loader 520th ags then blue section
My name is Peterson
No one mentioning the in flight music?!
I could do that..
If I wanted to
Wouldn't want to fly any plane in the cold war meant for one-way missions.
ZZ @ Cannon AFB , F-111D's
North Vietnamese's nightmare.