F-111 Aardvark | Behind the Wings

[@Wings_Museum]

This is a great airplane and we couldn't cover everything so drop your questions in the comments and we'll get to as many as we can! #curatorquestions

[@kenchristie9214]

The F-111 polarised the Royal Australian Air Force. In 1962 Australia had an order to purchase the British 24 TSR2 aircraft for $96,000,000. When the TSR project was terminated they placed an order October 1963 with General Dynamics for 24 F-111's for $72,000,000. The aircraft was to be delivered in early 1968, but Australian aeronautical engineers was concerned about the wing box which they said caused stress on the fuselage. In September 1968 the Minister for Defence stated the the cost of the 24 aircraft was $268,000,000. I had joined the RAAF January '68. Australia decided to lease 24 F-4 Phantoms in 1970. Whilst the F-4 was a better combat aircraft it only had a range of 1750 miles. The F-111 suited Australia's needs with a range of over 6,000 miles. The RAAF finally took delivery of the F-111 aircraft in 1973 A pilot once told me "The F-111 has the grace of a wounded seagull descending on a chip when landing." While there is no exact data, at least 3 RAAF F-111 aircraft have crashed killing the crew on every occasion. They were all doing low level training. At first the RAAF cited pilot error, but after the family of one pilot (Sqn Ldr Anthony Short) launched legal proceedings, the RAAF conceded it was metal fatigue. Was the aircraft worth the cost for Australia is a moot question. Taking into account the cost of leasing the Phantoms the F-111 may have cost close to $400,000,000 in '73. If there is any error in my comment I would greatly appreciate being corrected. The F-111 was a popular topic during my 6 years in the RAAF.

[@davidewhite69]

@@kenchristie9214 Shorties death was officially caused by crew planning, not using the TFR and outdated maps. They were simulating an Harpoon missile for Navy training. For more exact listings on losses I suggest you go to the ADF Serials web page. The RAAF F-111cs range on internal fuel was 6700km, that is 'clean' ie no stores, obviously that drops considerably with weapons. Did you know that when Australia showed interest in the F-111, Lord Mountbatten flew to Australia to talk with the Australian government, he dramatically dropped four models of the British Bristol "Buccaneer" and a model of an F-111 on the PMs desk and said you can have FOUR of these for every One of those. needless to say it wasnt fruitfall for him

[@kenchristie9214]

@@davidewhite69 Thanks David.

[@tinto278]

You have triggered so many aussies hahaha good video though! Love the content. 🦅🦅🦅

[@milesbrown8016]

Excellent presentation of the F-111. And good to have the general over. Well done chaps 👌🏻

[@bpo6955]

Flew 'varks in Desert Storm. F-111Fs from Lakenheath, bad boys with the big engines and PAVE TACK pods. Little known fact: F-111s killed more tanks in DS than any other aircraft, including A-10s. 500# bomb (GBU-12) tank plinking, all guided in and captured on video by WSOs. Good times.

[@briancooper3913]

I can remember a certain Tom Lennon being the base commander..i worked at lakenheath as an ''On base'' FED EX courier 1991 until 2003..great memories.

[@andregourdine8353]

Was in Desert Shield/Storm with the F-111s from RAF Lakenheath. After ODS, Lakenheath transitioned to F-15E Strike Eagle

[@NEprimo]

Awesome stuff man, thanks for sharing

[@MichaelWilliams-ph4ri]

I showed up at the Heath during Desert Storm. Flew with the Panthers until the transition. Great times indeed.

[@edwardcarr2725]

Wow

[@stein_the_lynx3284]

a plane every australian knows and loves

[@InMused]

Agreed. I was a RAAF photographer. I spent way too much time int he weapons bays of the four RF111Cs

[@YaMomsOyster]

It’s a classic, never got a replacement unfortunately. B1 would’ve been ideal for air shows.

[@EdgarSanchez-lt2dg]

And every Puertorrican. We lost one of own over Libya in operation El Dorado Canyon flying an Aardvark. Major Fernando Ribas Dominicci RIP.

[@valo7120]

Agreed, but I seem to remember some controversy regarding the lining of the fuel tanks and a surge in DVA claims.

[@stein_the_lynx3284]

@@valo7120 yeah, my grandad used to clean out the fuel tanks of those, we ended up getting a settlement out of it. but yeah, i don't think it was in the lining of the fuel tank i think what it was, was the fumes of the tanks as the people cleaning them out had to crawl out into the wings to clean them

[@afpwebworks]

That fuel dump and burn was always a crowd pleaser when our Australian RAAF did it at airshows. They would specially like to do it as the last display in teh show when it's around dusk.

[@valo7120]

I remember one doing a dump and burn in Canberra for a RAAF anniversary flight. The flames were said to be “the spark” that set off the firework finale.

[@jimmoynihan9074]

I worked as an aircraft maintenance technician (SSgt AFSC 43171) at Plattsburgh AFB. I was stationed there from 1972 to 1977. I worked in Bomber Phase Dock and at one time or another worked on every FB-111 on that base. I was transferred to RAF Lakenheath in 1977 and worked in Phase Dock there on the F-111F version as well. Lots of fond memories. I need to get to Denver and see this plane!

[@johndart9831]

Great video, I remember when he was Captain O'Mara and lived across the street from us in Plattsburgh, Great to see him again.

[@TheGraphicwolfArt]

Also dont forget the EF-111. Fat tails! Great radar jamming aircraft. Served well during and after Desert Storm.

[@marksnyder8189]

The Sparkvark! The electronic jammers were so powerful they mildly electrocuted the crew.

[@jehoiakimelidoronila5450]

I'm sorry, "mildly"? ⚡😳

[@slickstrings]

@@jehoiakimelidoronila5450 supposedly they could hear electrical buzzing in the cockpit and feel almost a static electricity in the air.

[@jehoiakimelidoronila5450]

@@slickstrings Jesus christ 😱

[@capablanca5611]

This is one of my favorite planes, the explanation that General O'mara gave about the flame, to release fuel, excellent, very good presentation.

[@kinch613]

Plattsburg AFB was our sister base. I was stationed at Griffiss with the B-52G models. This aircraft would of course stop by and it was a thrill. Extremely loud and fast. Great memories!

[@tacitdionysus3220]

Excellent clip. Thanks to you both. Already a few mentions of Australian F-111s below. Informally known as 'pigs' rather than Aardvarks in RAAF service, due to the very low operational altitudes flown being likened to the habit of pigs aggressively nosing for food with their snout in the dirt and wetlands. There were originally 24 F-111C (having the longer wings and strengthened U/C of the F-111B). Later got uprated engines and 4 had RF-111 reconnaissance packs fitted. Later joined by 15 F-111G (what FB-111s became after they relinquished their strategic nuclear role and fit out). Operated by 82 Wing RAAF, No1 squadron operated the C model and No6 squadron operated the G model in their final years of operation. 1sqn now operates 24 Super Hornets, while 6sqn operates 12 Growlers. They lack the F-111s long range, but are otherwise an excellent and versatile aircraft (B21s would be a nice replacement). 82 wing also has 2sqn with E-7 Wedgetails, while 81 wing operates F-35s. I can remember as a kid the F-111 acquisition being criticised very heavily by every random 'expert' as too expensive and not good enough. Funny how it served really well, and became the favourite of all Australians at air shows for decades.

[@EbonyPope]

I heard the Navy complained that it was a slow and sluggish aircraft. Why did it have that reputation?

[@njjeff201]

Beautiful aircraft! Love ‘em all. Bless our Vets 🇺🇸

[@VarkDriver]

Nice video, I flew F-111s for about 8 years and got about 2000 hours. Great plane, really fast and stable down low.

[@dks13827]

Robert, did you choose to fly the F-111 ????? Also, did you see some pilots decline to fly the F-111 ??

[@VarkDriver]

@@dks13827 When I graduated pilot training, you had a wish list. F-111 was my 3rd choice, after F-15 and F-16. Only 5 guys in my class of 42 pilots got fighters, and I was very happy with the F-111. I only ever saw or heard of 1 guy who voluntarily washed himself out of F-111 training. He was a bit odd.

[@EbonyPope]

I heard the Navy complained that it was a slow and sluggish aircraft. Why did it have that reputation?

[@jnbfrancisco]

@@EbonyPope I was an Instrument / autopilot tech and instructor on the F111D and A from 1970 to 1980. I think the US Navy had mainly two reasons for saying bad things about a good airplane. One was they didn't want a trend to get started by allowing the Pentagon civilians to select the weapons. In the military once you do any job it becomes your job. The other reason is that the Navy top brass wanted an airplane made by Grumman. Many high level military people expect to get a cushie high paid job with the company they have helped by selecting their weaponry. They have several of their military friends who have retired from the military in those companies already. It went on back then and probably still does today. It would have saved billions if the Navy would have accepted the F111. It did perform well on aircraft carrier test. You can find videos on KZbin of the carrier tests.

[@EbonyPope]

@@jnbfrancisco Oh thanks for the info. Really exciting to talk to someone who was involved in flying those beautiful planes. I love the look of the plane. Who was it like to fly compated to others? Yes I can imagine that other interests led people to trash the plane. I personally love the Saab Draken. Never seen such a crazy design for a plane. As far as I know they are retired though.

[@mixpick138]

Love the interviews with the actual flyers of the aircraft --great stuff!

[@JackRack-vr1zm]

The F-111 airframe was way ahead of its time.

[@scopex2749]

I was in the Air Force during the cold war as an aircraft engineer. I have fond memories of these superb aircraft. OUTSTANDING great video.

[@donwyoming1936]

I loved working on the F-111s. Still my favorite.

[@TheBlkpilot]

Me too. It was the first fighter I worked at mountain home. I later got to work F16’s at kunsan and McDill.

[@Democracy4USA]

​@@TheBlkpilot I didn't realize I could click the photo in front of a person's post and see a synopsis of that person's other posts. (Cool!) I was also at Mountain Home AFB while you were there - but I was in the air-conditioned tech shops working on the plane's electronics (TFR and attack radar system in my case). Some in the shops called you crew chiefs "knuckle draggers" - which I though was untrue and in very poor taste. I elected to attend an overview class of what things were like for you guys - all the systems you actually worked on... and what a shock. I could not believe how much you guys were responsible for on each and every one of those aircraft and the encyclopedic knowledge you had to attain to work on them. I stood in awe of all of the crew chiefs!

[@gregorysutton8524]

Right on, i was there. Possibly with 1st Ifantry division maybe. You are a stud sir! Thank you for your sevice, if you 😅 been there you dont know. GOD bless AMERICA, you and all your family.

[@markkenefick644]

I was stationed at Mt. Home from 77-81. I was a flight sim tech. So while I never actually flew in the real thing, I logged 100's of hours in the simulator. Got pretty good at flying that sim. Loads of fun.

[@WayneWatson1]

I worked on the TFR, ARS, nav and bomb computer system, doppler and hud systems on the F-111As, EF-111s and FB-111As. I was stationed at Plattsburgh AFB in '80 to' 81 before being stationed at RAF Upper Heyford in England and Pease AFB in NH. Spent 8 years working on that pig, but I enjoyed the challenge. I enjoyed my tours.

[@MK-zg5yd]

Such an incredible aircraft that's for sure. My dad worked on the same systems on 111's at Heyford, Pease & finally retired at Cannon in 97. He was with the 509th at Pease and the 428 at Cannon. I can't recall what squadron he was with at Heyford. Unmistakenly most people knew him at "Koep" as he was 6'9" and a mountain of a guy.

[@ceangasrevenge]

Were you in A shop ?did you go to Lowry?

[@WayneWatson1]

@@ceangasrevenge no, only Plattsburgh, NY, RAF Upper Heyford in England and Pease AFB in NH. Don't remember what shop but I worked ARS, TFR, nav/bomb delivery computers, etc.

[@videotrexx]

WOW!!! I was in high school and a cadet member in the Civil Air Patrol in 1971 and that summer I went to a 10 day encampment at Plattsburgh AFB; we got to see the FB-111s but were told that we weren't allow to photograph them. I was probably there when Maj. Gen. O'Mara was there! I didn't have a camera, but I still have the certificate of completion of the encampment that I received.

[@mountvernon5267]

We may have been at the same CAP cadet encampment! The following year I entered the Air Force as an Integrated Avionics Component Technician (AFSC 326x1A - later called Automatic Test Stations). Stationed at 380AMS, Plattsburgh AFB after about 7 or 8 months of tech school at Lowry. Worked on many of the avionics systems - my favorite was the Inertial Navigation System. Left P-burgh in after around 5 years, cross trained into computer maintenance, and when I was stationed in Germany we had a communications buffer unit for our mobile RADAR unit's comms with the Navy that used one of the IBM CP-2 4Pi computers - the same unit as the General Nav Computer and Weapons Delivery Computer from the FB-111, but we didn't have any of the automated test equipment to run any type of diagnostics that we had in the shop. Since I at least recognized what it was I was tasked with keeping it running.

[@therapon9019]

F111, one of my favorite jets. F15s, f14s, f22s, awesome jets!

[@paulvanthomme3209]

I was an employee of Grumman in 1981 and worked on the EF111A modification to the radar jamming version of the aircraft. It was called the electric fox.

[@bwinmaine]

The FB-111A began its service life in 1969 (the summer of love) at Carswell AFB. Just across the runway was the General Dynamics assembly plant where they were built. I arrived from the Grand Forks AFB B-52H avionics shop in May, was trained in the FB-111A digital avionics school in Denver that summer, and worked in the Carswell avionics shop until the following spring when I was transferred to Upper Heyford, England arriving there before the first F-111E deliveries. I was at Carswell when the first FB-111A's were delivered and I was at Upper Heyford when the first F-111E's arrived. That makes me a certified antique! My experience both at Carswell and at Upper Heyford was severely limited by the long grounding of that airframe while the wing problem was being resolved. Best explanation I have ever seen of that problem here in this video, by the way. Thank you! Two things I remember most about these assignments. One was the incredibly awkward avionics shop test equipment, especially the Ampex-made dual tape deck program storage units shared by multiple test stations which required enormous patience because they were constantly caught up in long delays while the tape decks searched through long reels of tape for the next set of instructions and the second was how little any of us really knew about these digital flight control and navigation systems. Of course, maybe that was because I was just a kid at the time, but we were test bench operators more than actual electronics troubleshooters and none of us were experienced with these kinds of digital systems. Even the civilian technicians setting up the test bench systems were struggling to figure things out. I remember a few times wanting to rerun a particular test, not wanting to wait for the tape systems, and trying to punch in line after line of hexadecimal code from the manual into the hexadecimal keyboard on the test bench. Forget that! Man, what a chore! And it almost never seemed to help me do what I wanted to do. The Carswell crew wound up at either Plattsburg, NY or Pease, NH but I was in England when that happened. In the 1970's and 1980's it was common to see FB's flying low-level, like really low, over central Maine, the Moosehead Lake region where I lived, and I remember being on Boarstone Mountain just east of Monson watching FB's flying by well below where I was perched. One time I was working mid-winter at the north end of Moosehead Lake and I heard that sound, rushed outside in the cold, and sure enough, several FB-111A's were skimming low overhead having flown past Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park and headed west towards Plattsburgh. Years later my wife and I were driving east on a logging road near Greenville and we heard the sound - that sound! -and there they were again, just a flash of a sighting when they crossed over the road ahead of us no more than a couple hundred feet above the trees heading south - towards Pease most likely. That, for sure, was one heck of an airplane, so modern in design that it would fit right in today. The B-52, even back in the 1960's, was a relic compared to the FB-111A. I know, I know, the H-model B-52 still serves the AF, but the 111 paved the way into modern aviation. I seem to recall something about the F-111 costing something like $14 million apiece. So expensive, they all said! But maybe I am mistaken...

[@ekuche8335]

Love this airplane.

[@HonkusMaximus]

Cool jet, still have my FB-111 Patch from Plattsburg in ‘73. AFIS baybay!! Time for Brody’s!

[@danduffy7974]

Great video!! I was stationed at Kincheloe A.F.B in Michigan from 72 to 74 and we had two 111's loaded with special weapons always on alert. We also had 4 to 6 B52's also on alert. GOOD TIMES!!!!!!!

[@ryanclarke2161]

Very significant aircraft for any kid growing up on Australia's east coast all the way up until the mid 2000s, surprise low level school runs kept us all very excited. Tears were shed the day they were retired.

[@paulkelly4731]

Thanks for the video. Although General Dynamics was the primary contractor, my Dad was one of the Boeing engineers that designed the F11. We lived in New Orleans at the time, and I remember the dinner table talk about the aircraft. Good memories.

[@CausticLemons7]

VARK VARK VARK! It's such a beautiful aircraft, and so very capable. I think the F-111 is a unique piece of aviation history that has a little bit of everything from its era, and I'm so happy you got a veteran to tell us about her!

[@petedcnt]

Nice to see Maj Gen O’Mara (Col when I knew him). Being stationed at PBG and the FB-111 brings back great memories but also the realities of the profound mission

[@jumpingjeffflash9946]

I visited that museum last year in Dec. I just returned from Denver yesterday and while debating what to do on my last day there i was thisclose to going to Wings museum again before I found a tour of Coors field going on. Denver is a great city and I enjoyed both the museum and Denver. I also went to the National Museum of the USAF a few days prior, they have 2 F-111's. THAT....THAT place is insane to see!

[@Micharus]

One of my favorite, if not my favorite aircraft.

[@paulholmes1303]

One item, the FB was never a replacement for the B-52, nor was the B-52 old at that time, the G's and turbofan H's had only been out 4 or 5 years. The FB-111 was an emergency replacement for the B-58 Hustler, with it's Widow-maker tendencies as well as structural and total flight cost problems AND it's total lack of any versatility in bomb load types The B-2 was the eventual replacement for the FB's, as epitomized by the transfer of the Wing (509th) to Whiteman as soon as the FB's left Pease.

[@dalemeyers4175]

Confirmed

[@tsechejak7598]

B-58 flew well at low altitude but its ECM was a potential problem in wartime ops

[@pbdye1607]

Yeah, and the primary mission of the FB-111 was to be a "door kicker," blasting holes in the Russian radar and air-defense network, which would grant the heavier bombers a better chance of making it to their targets.

[@briancooper2112]

Correct.

[@raymondmartin6737]

I was stationed at Pease AFB, 1969-1973, and in 1970 we only had tankers, as the Buff's, B-52's, had left, and December 1970, 509th Bomb Wing Commander, Colonel Winston E Moore, as I remember then, flew one across the field, and after it landed, some of us in the hanger got to look at it. In 1972, as Captain, I became the 509th Combat Support Squadron Section Commander there at Pease.

[@thomaswyrick4648]

Great video. My dad was an F-111 pilot in the early 80's.

[@Mdwells2944]

What a great informative interview. I was stationed at Plattsburgh from 86-88.

[@davidscott6611]

Such a great aircraft. You are part of American history. Thank you sir.

[@seiscaneco68]

F 111 was the first plastic revell model I assembled without help from my dad, will never forget the variable wings, played with it throughout my childhood!

[@allgood6760]

Cool plane!.. awesome mate... we used to get RAAF F111's at Kiwi airshows here in NZ... in fact 2 F111's have crashed here... thanks from down under. 👍✈️🇳🇿

[@billy4072]

Brill.. guy asks questions and let's the General answer , without interrupting . ❤️❤️❤️

[@EOWweekendRVer]

Wow, this video brought back some great memories. When I joined the Air Force, my first duty assignment in 1978 was Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. Pease was then a SAC base and, at the time, had a contingency of FB-111 and KC-135 aircraft on alert at all times. As a Security Police Specialist, my job was to guard the alert FB-111’s and all related equipment. The mission for that base has changed since those Cold War days as I understand that Pease is now a National Guard base. This video sure took me back to a time when I wore a younger man’s clothes. Thank you.

[@dwhip49]

I was a crew chief on A models at Mt Home. We went TDY to Pease one winter and I changed my opinion on who had the worst job. Being in the weather all day (or night) got frosty at Mt Home but we had flight line trucks and NF-2 to warm up. SAC SP's at Pease stood out in a small square of ramp with their bag of tricks...that had to rate zero on the fun meter. Not sure what the duty day was for them but even 4 hours on a winter ramp with no shelter had to be a bear.

[@afmajor322]

Was stationed at Pease in 85’ best tour of my 24 year Air Force career.

[@dahawk8574]

Happy Aardvark Day! (Jan 11)

[@icare7151]

Thank you General. Wish you were running DC!

[@BlackHawkBallistic]

Great episode, the Aardvarks are cool planes

[@ramal5708]

Back in the day the F-111 was part of the TFX program that failed joint USAF-USN fighter, although the F-111 Air Force variant had some issues at the start in early 1960s they decided to go with mass production, even though in Vietnam the main role of the Aardvark was an interdictor or tactical bomber/ground strike aircraft they still retain the designation F in the F-111, F as in Fighter or multirole aircraft in the USAF aircraft designation post 1960, even though her main role is interdictor aircraft. Also the F-111 and F-117 were the last so called century series aircraft since they both had number designation over 100 and then the Airforce and Navy "resetted" the numbers back to 1 again like F-4 Phantom, A-6 Intruder, F-5, etc.

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

I recall the Congressional hearings about this plane were televised. There were many that did not want to fund its construction.

[@carlballinger844]

was a weapons loader, on F-111, 1973, RAF Upper Heyford

[@hypercomms2001]

When I was at the Land Warfare Centre in Canungra, Queensland, the F111 used to fly over regularly as they took off and landed at Amberley. QLD. Impressive!

[@timmcknight1418]

Wonderful video, thanks! The F-111/FB-111 was one of my favourite planes of all time. I remember seeing a RAAF one for the first time as a small boy at Coolangatta airport in QLD, Australia. No idea why it was there at a commercial airport, but man did it look mean. The look of these machines alone would've been enough to stave off a nuclear war, I reckon!

[@davidewhite69]

that F-111 landed at Coolangatta as a precaution because of a lightning strike, although it's less than ten minutes flying time back to RAAF Amberley it was considered a safety priority

[@AJS86]

I remember seeing one land there also once.

[@timblackstone201]

Great video! I trained in that very hanger at Lowry AFB on the F-111 as a weapons Loader! Then spent 3 years on the F-111E and EF-111A (Raven) at Upper Heyford England. I worked on a lot of other great aircraft in USAF, but none hold a special place in my heart like the F-111 Aardvark!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@rowdeytrevvett9531]

Loved RAF Upper Heyford, 1980-1983, CES Fire/Rescue...

[@keving1318]

I was USAF Security Police in the 80's at PAFB, 380th SPS/380th BW(M). Was great to see Plattsburgh mentioned and one of "our own" in Gen. O'Mara speaking on the F/FB-111.

[@rockbailey8516]

The F111 is quite simply the most beautiful airplane since the Spitfire. Fast and deadly.

[@ideadlift20kg83]

This is really cool, thank you!

[@oceanmariner]

Nice to have an experienced pilot the flew the plane. Makes a difference.

[@FarrahPrince]

Nice work! Thanks for preserving this history. The F-111 is iconic.. I loved working on the F-111s. Still my favorite..

[@77bubba00]

I worked on this exact jet, 287, while I was stationed in Plattsburgh during the 80s. I remember Gen O'Mara as well. He was a colonel at the time.

[@JapanScott1]

I may have photographed General O'Mara during the four years I was stationed at Offutt AFB. During that time I worked as a base photographer and frequently worked in SAC HQ.

[@davidewhite69]

the shot at 9:57 is actually 4 RAAF F-111Cs, not FBs or Gs, you can quickly tell by the lack of strip formation lights, and the splitter plate intake compared to the FB/Gs 'triple plow' intake

[@mountvernon5267]

Also there was no astro tracker (celestial navigation system) forward of the crew capsule.

[@theussmirage]

Great episode, I've always wondered what that dish-shaped mechanism was on the tail ever since I visited the museum, now I know its the F-111's famous fuel dump port! I'm happy to see the Flogger has joined the B-1, FB-111, and F-14, last time I visited, the MiG-23's landing gear were still up!

[@axialcompressorturbojet]

This is truly an incredible aircraft

[@billk8579]

Great video. My son has taken me to the museum…a must see.

[@THEBULLETPROOFGARAGE]

Fantastic and informative video! Really enjoyed learning more about this iconic aircraft!

[@mnelson56]

Do the hard points for the external tanks pivot as the wing swings to keep them in line with the airflow? If so, how does that system work?

[@williamwingo4740]

The four interior (inboard) hard points swiveled; the the four exterior points did not.

[@christopherfranklin1881]

@@williamwingo4740 You might mention that the outboard tanks automatically jettisoned when the wings were pulled back. There was not enough space in the wing taper for the pivoting mechanism.

[@williamwingo4740]

@@christopherfranklin1881 I didn't know that, but I'm not surprised. I never flew it or even saw one up close; but formed an impression from many negative rumors over the years. USAF and the Aussies tried to put the best possible face on it, but they were only partially successful. Born a political airplane; died a political airplane.

[@Heavy_Distortion]

Great episode. Ray O'Mara is such a cool guy. America's grandpa.

[@douglasspaltro2697]

The FB-111A was my 1st love! I was at the 509th Bomb Wing at Pease AFB NH from 1988-90 as an ECS troop (air con, oxygen, pressurization etc) LOVE this airframe...miss it! When I had to go to the alert pad for maintenance (there was 6 acft loaded & ready with 2 nukes on the wings and a SRAM in the wpns bay, I always put my hand on the nuke with great fear & respect! Thanks for this segment! (USAF retired!)

[@WayneWatson1]

I left Pease AFB in 88 after spending 8 years on that plane in Plattsburgh and RAF Upper Heyford. Worked on the TFR, ARS, nav and bomb computer system, doppler and hud systems. I can never remember my shop name or code. I got to work the F-111As, EF-111s and FB-111As. I hated the F-111As because they were all analog and the size of that ARS scope was a bear to get in and out. I loved working the digital FBs

[@MK-zg5yd]

My dad was with the 509th working avionics from 86-90 at Pease. Such a wicked aircraft!

[@douglasspaltro2697]

We shared the same flight line....building....but different launch trucks....but we may have known each other : ) @@MK-zg5yd

[@FOFBASS1]

I absolutely love this channel and all there content!!

[@MarceloAraujo-vo6cw]

The F111 Aardvark is the best air plane of the all times. I'm fan of this plane.

[@danielcoburn8635]

I remember that one in front of our classroom at Black Shack, we used to form up in front of it before going into our A-10 class.

[@ozzy7763]

One of my all time favorite aircraft, I still feel like it was retired to early.

[@marksnyder8189]

It was, I think so too.

[@andrewyork3869]

If it was a fixed wing it would still be flying today.

[@leokimvideo]

An incredible aircraft with a very troubled development and deployment. For all it's might it never saw active service in Oz. Had a reputation for crashing with the loss of quite a few aircrew.

[@richardbittikofer988]

I worked on them at Pease AFB (SAC) from '72-'73- 509TH Then I left for my 2nd tour in Vietnam (Danang AB Rocket City)

[@dont6441]

Excellent video. Enjoyed the discussion.

[@ramal5708]

Weird thing is when you call some military equipment or vehicles a Pig, it'll be an amazing thing you would ever see or probably use. Like the F-111, M60 Machine gun, UH-1 Huey variant called the Hog etc.

[@MarceloAraujo-vo6cw]

I'm fan of F111. Is the most wonderful plane all the times.

[@anim8torfiddler871]

Thought I knew a little about the US military aircraft inventory. Always learning new. THANKS. Now I need to look up the F-111 fighter.

[@billsmith2900]

I was a crew chief on this plane. It was amazing to see them take off with there afterburner at night, look just like the video only louder!

[@tjking1909]

Yes one of the coolest aircraft ever. Hope the aviators thought so?

[@Jack-ne8vm]

During low terrain following, would the aircraft roll inverted over ridges, or did you feel negative G's? About 1995 a retired F-111 sat at remote Battle Mountain Nevada airport, canopy unlatched. Fun to sit in, play with knobs.

[@marksnyder8189]

I have seen videos where the F-111s using the lowest level TFR setting of 200 ft would roll inverted to stay under radar when they crossed ridgelines.

[@ironhornforge]

Ah the pig, I miss seeing them fly over ipswich, though we didn't have the FB-1-11 we still had the dump and burn that would light up the night sky for river fire in Brisbane. It's just not the same without the old girls. If only they could fly forever, a brilliant all rounder air frame and a credit to the ingenuity of the once great United States military engendering capabilities. Rest peacefully lady, you deserve the rest.

[@sebastiengiboulot7848]

Our Boneyard Wrangler started life as the FB-111A. I lived just 5ks from Amberley 15 years ago and cmwould watch them practice for airshows.

[@davidewhite69]

we bought 15 ex F/Bs that had been converted to Gs. One of the tasks as part of the terms of purchase was to remove the nuclear AGM-69 SRAM system, every component of that system had to be accounted for return to the US

[@ThomasSchick]

👍🏻…my favorite plane…great interview!

[@russchadwell]

Pease, AFB circa 1982. One Ardvark plants its belly panel into the golf course. Four! Hey, maintenance squadron! Do more than clip the panel into place. Next time remember the bolts!!

[@robertcjohnson251]

I was stationed @ Plattsburgh from 1-70 to 7-73. 287 was one of the tail numbers I worked on. 380th FMS A/R shop.

[@robert43g]

Where I live we have 1 displayed at our RAAF base here in town Wagga Wagga NSW Australia

[@davidewhite69]

I wish the would put a roof over her, its sad she is exposed to the elements like that

[@Rottingboards]

Old Weapons Troop for the F-111. Red Devils squadron! Go girl go!

[@robh3267]

A Couple of friends of mine used to work on the F-111's wings at McClellan AFB when it was still an active base, the swing wing design was effective but also very costly to maintain as the wing pivots were subjected to very high stress loads, my friends would tell me they would have whole crews of people spending many hours polishing hairline stress cracks out of the wing pivot hubs and as with all ageing aircraft the maintenance cost forced it into retirement just like the F-14, both great and very effective aircraft.

[@majtom5421]

1982 I was stationed on a Airbase in Germany. The Aardvark was a integral component of the Russian first strike doctrine in the Fulda Gap

[@goldcfi7103]

FANtastic!

[@MSDF]

Thank you so much for the cool video. 9:46 Yes, I think so too!

[@71Habu]

The swing wing was a manual that was normally folded under the left cockpit combing. You had to pull it down and the wings moved when you slid the lever back and forth. There was a flag in the airspeed indicator that would pop up if the wings were in the wrong position. The F-111 was an early adopter of strip instruments.

[@chrishackett554]

Got a chance to see SAC, FB-111s fly out of Plattsburgh AFB in upstate New York many times. Quite impressive plane to see in flight. There’s a static display 111 alongside a B-47 at the entrance to the old base which was BRAC’d in the eighties along with Griffis AFB.

[@allan640]

So, this may be a strange question - I visited your museum in 2019, have some great photos of that very plane with my wife. But what got my curiosity, the little gray capped man with the wizard hat...I've seen him on a few aircraft in that museum.. what does he stand for, who is he? You can see him at 6:12, The Beast is holding the gray guy up in his right hand. He's also on the F-4 Phantom in the Wings Museum and a few others I think as well. I think he has a # II written on his chest.

[@ScumfuckMcDoucheface]

Great question =) maybe something to do with CIA/NRO spooks...?

[@curthenry9398]

I worked on F-111's when the planes were brand new, with the 366 Tactical Gunfighters As a machinist one of my tasks was removing toque set screws that others had stripped the head. I got good with a tool we called a screw punch. A HSS tool bit ground into a U-shaped chisel. Make a good notch in the screw head and tap the screw in a circle until you could latch on with vice grips. Mountain Home AFB was a good duty station. At night we would go to the watch the F-111 fly on afterburners at the gunnery range.

[@jnbfrancisco]

I was one of those avionics weenies at Cannon AFB from 1971 to 1974. I had to call a machinist maybe two times to get a fastener out. I watched how he did it. I always wondered why they didn't give us the special tools so we could do it. They were probably afraid we would do damage I guess. I got no joy by having to ask for help but sure appreciated the expert help.

[@alniedrich1245]

Worked the F-111F at RAF Lakenheath and the F-111D at Cannon AFB. At the "Heath" I loaded both nuclear and conventional weapons to include the bay mounted M61A1 20mm gatling gun. Nice video.

[@drinksnapple8997]

I believe that all TF-30 engines are "controlled" (read: not available for museums) because the Iranian have been known to take parts from them to maintain their F14 fleet.

[@ILSRWY4]

Back in the mid-1960's the air force was looking for a replacement for the aging B-52? AGING??? The B-52 was barely 10 years old by the mid 1960's and ALL F-111s are retired and yet the B-52 is STILL flying in December, 2022!!! So take that to the bank W.O.T.R.

[@toddb930]

I remember seeing an FB-111 at Lowry AFB in 1973. I think it was used for bomb loading training.

[@Bdub1952]

I was stationed there at Lowry when you were there, receiving avionics training. Coincidently, my first permanent duty station was @ Mtn Home with the F111-F's.

[@chrisschmidt146]

I think the FB-111 was in the SAC Hanger. The TAC Hanger had F-4 A-7 and I think an F105. My first Active Duty Station was Cannon AFB NM and the F-111D models

[@thomasquick3446]

It's so cool to listen to aviators who are the real deal reminisce about there careers flying these remarkable aircraft. I was a ground crew member on a B-52 in the mid 70s. The plane I was assigned to was on the tarmac one night waiting on an issue to be resolved and the aircraft commander climbed down and while we were waiting told us the aircraft we were standing by was not only flown by his dad but his grandad as well. He researched the tail number which stays with a plane through its' entire service life. Remember this was 1977. That was now 45 yrs. ago. Thomas Quick aka old skool and I'm just saying.

[@Steven-wx8bi]

Great video. Love the history!

[@icare7151]

The last models of the F-111 were awesome.

[@alantoon5708]

The F-111 pioneered several technologies which all combined were a good part of the challenges to get it operational. But it served well and was a real success story in Desert Storm.

[@tmobaile1187]

Very very beautiful fighter Specialy the jamming EF 111