F-111 Retirement Site

[Guest Glenn]

The F-111 will be retired on 3 December 2010. A website for it's official retirement events can be found here www.pigstales.com.au

 

 

[aerotech 72]

Its definetely going to be a sad day indeed the last time a pig takes to our skies. I spent a few years conducting deep level maintenance on the old girl and will surely miss that sound and lets not forget the "dump and burn". A sight to behold.

 

 

[Guest Glenn]

Thought this would be appropriate here. Media release re: Last Exercise for Austraila's F-111's

 

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=10649

 

 

[nepolean77]

will miss the ole girl used to watch them fly over brisbane,The airforce will miss their capability the tornado would be a good replacement bird though.

 

 

[nepolean77]

Have they decided on what aircraft will replace the F111 will it be the F35?

 

 

[Guest Chainsaw]

Have they decided on what aircraft will replace the F111 will it be the F35?

I think it's the FA18 Super Hornets.

 

 

[aerotech 72]

yes the super hornet is the replacement for the pig ( and possibly the classic hornet if the f35 doesnt eventuate). Doesnt have the range that the pig had due to much less internal fuel capacity. The tornado has a small internal tank so it doesnt have the range either, plus they are getting a bit old now too. But with the MRTT capability our inflight refuelling capability has grown.

 

 

[willedoo]

Yes, as I understand it, the Super Hornet is an interim aircraft until we get the F35 Lightning, which was supposed to be here by 2012, but could be many years away yet. It's a troubled program & the possibility is there that we'll end up with an obsolete aircraft by the time we get it. Our choice of fighters has always been a juggling act of available money, coupled with a lack of choice of suitable aircraft, a desire to have a deterrent effect in the region & trying to figure out what are our requirements in regards to capability given that we have a very specific geographic & political situation in the region.

 

The US runs a big show & can utilize the many types available in one role or another. I think our problem is, as a small nation with a small budget, we have to try to find a one size fits all type of plane that is affordable as well. Unfortunately, at this time, there really is not much choice within the constraints of our political ties & logistical factors. (a fancy way of saying we can't buy Flankers)

 

So it looks like we have to make the best of the Super Hornet for a while & the US is determined to advance the capability of it into the future, as they are in a bit of a spot with development at the present. So that will rub off on us & it may one day become quite a capable & useful aircraft in one way or another.

 

It is a shame they dropped the F111. In all the history of our air capabilities, it is the one that really shines through in ability to fulfill a role specific to this country, all the rest have been a bit of a stopgap.

 

Well, right or wrong, that's my thoughts on it, I think we've just got rid of the best defence/deterrent aircraft we've ever had. I'd like to see them just keep one as a going concern for history's sake.