Flying the Pig! | Mike Crain Interview (Part 2)

We carry on from part 1 as former RAAF F-111 pilot, Mike Crain, shares more great stories from his time flying the "Pig" including at exercise Red Flag.
Enjoy!
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[@araynortassadore3056]

Wow...21 years young and flying the worlds best strike bomber. What an incredible story.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Amazing isn’t it!

[@212Nippa]

I was the 82Wing Loggie in 1996, and on my last day in that job I was very lucky to have a ride in an F111 and Mike was the pilot. An amazing ride. Thanks again Mike.

[@mikeF111]

Hi Mike. Glad you enjoyed it. Was that 12/12/96? In A8-514?

[@212Nippa]

@@mikeF111 The date looks good. I don't recall the tail number, it's been a while and lots of grey hairs since then. I was the first ride for the day and we took a bird over Lake Wivenhoe that bent the inboard spoiler on the right side. Not a good day for the other guys waiting for their go.

[@mikeF111]

@@212Nippa I remember going over Wivenhoe. That might explain why I’ve only got 20minutes logged on the 13th. Don’t remember the spoiler problem. Glad someone was paying attention 😂😂. It was 514 according to my logbook👍

[@beagle7622]

Excellent interview I was totally engrossed watched both. I was at Laverton around 89& was standing next to an F111 with the crew onboard. Impressive aeroplane.

[@Aircrewinterview]

Thanks mate.

[@mgarizona9939]

Great down to earth interview To put your trust in TFR for F111 and Tornado pilots certainly took a lot of balls these pilots at low level certainly had a lot of courage !

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers!

[@ianmangham4570]

@@Aircrewinterview Can you do an interview with any the pilots who've interacted with that flying TIC TAC over the gulf of Mexico 👽 🤟🤠💯👍 that would be a great 👍 interview bro

[@davidsmith8997]

"There's not much time/room to recover if something goes wrong at 130 ft and 540kn" No kidding! I think there's enough time for a blink or two at that altitude and speed.😯

[@MyTomedwards]

Talking about F-111 ejections in New Zealand, every time the RAAF bought 4 aircraft over the ditch they only went home with 3

[@mikeF111]

Seemed that way😳

[@johnjohn55555]

Awesome! Loving your channel! Great content

[@Aircrewinterview]

Cheers John!

[@alexyoung478]

Professional 👍🇦🇺

[@Deano084]

Long live the PIG!

[@bruceday6799]

Anybody know where to find F-111 parts? We need 1. Pitot Tube 2. Nose gear doors 3. Tires for main gear 4. Glass Ours was towed to Midland Tx from Cannon AFB on a 108° day and suffered accordingly. The glass is all there and could be painted over, but if you're asking ask big.

[@rons4778]

Talking of age I would like someone to do a story on Mark Fallon if his family agrees as he was only 19 when he qualified as a F111 pilot in the RAAF sadly he was killed in a crash on a training mission near Tenterfield NSW he was 24 at the time

[@bubi352]

2:32 "German c130 crews" "we never saw them again. Lol" this doesn't sound right. Germany is just about to get on this type now.

[@alanbrown5593]

Imagine doing 500kn at 20 feet and no tr. Buccaneer rules.

[@beagle7622]

I never realised until recently what an amazing aircraft the later versions of the Bucaneer were. I love watching videos of the automatic gear retraction.

[@bearcatracing007]

Pretty sure they had Ferranti TFR in the Buccaneer and used the dot system down to 30m.

[@KRGruner]

F-22! Correct answer, LOL. Mike, you and I think alike. Anyway, did you ever do a cartridge start in the F-111? I did a few times (maybe only 3 or 4, really), great fun (kind of). Anyway, great interview, F-111s forever!

[@mikeF111]

Thanks Karl. Yeah would love to fly the F-22. We did lots of Cartridge starts on land aways. We didn’t have the maintenance support of the USAF and often no Dash60. Would always have a chuckle watching the Nav buck and weave from the toxic smoke while sitting with canopy closed on 100% O2 😂😂 It was nice landing at McConnell one time and handing the jet over while we had a break. Came back and everything was done for us. First Class service👍

[@KRGruner]

@@mikeF111 Cool! Another great interview.

[@mikeF111]

@@KRGruner thanks Karl. Only just saw this. Not sure why. Appreciate the kind words again.