Aussie F-111 to go to USAF Museum?

http://adf-serials.com.au/3a8.shtml

A8-130 F-111C Delivered to RAAF 01/06/73. First Flight 15/09/1968. Participant of Indycar 2006 on practice day. In Service 1Sqn. Transferred to 6Sqn. Dropped live ordinance for the final time during Exercise Chong Ju over Puckapunyal on 12-13/05/2010
Retired by 3/12/2010. Noted wingless in fenced off dump on 11/03/2011 and did appear destined to be scrapped. Placard beneath cockpit canopy reads “This aircraft has been prepared for destruction and all access is denied”
However noted outside RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre 26/07/2011 with wings reattatched.
Believed to have been allocated for preservation.

The RAAF ordered 24 F-111C (F-111A with longer wing of FB-111A) in 1963, delivered 1973.

In 1981, four US Air Force F-111As were purchased to act as attrition replacements. On delivery in 1982, these aircraft became A8-109, A8-112, A8-113, & A8-114. They were subsequently modified to full F-111C standard.

In October 1992 the Minister for Defence announced the proposed acquisition of up to 18 surplus US Air Force F-111s to extend the type’s service life. Ultimately 15 F-111G models were selected as the most suitable for introduction to RAAF service. The F-111G does share commonality with the F-111C, with the longer wings and heavier undercarriage. The G also shares some of the avionics fit that was fitted during the F-111C AUP, notably the same terrain-following radar, attack radar and multi-function displays for the aircrew. However, other aspects of the F-111C are different. The avionics will not be fully compatible with the AUP, and also the G is powered by Pratt & Whitney P-107 turbofans. These cannot be standardised with the F-111C’s P-103s due to the different intake and fuselage shape. The extent of these differences is not considered to be insurmountable.

RAAF serials of F-111Gs (match last 3 of their USAF serials).
A8-259
A8-264
A8-265
A8-270
A8-271
A8-272
A8-274
A8-277
A8-278
A8-281
A8-282
A8-291
A8-506
A8-512
A8-514

The Australian ‘C’ Mode; is a model specific to Australian requirements. It was based on the F-111A they had the TF30-P-3 Engines early design intakes, and the avionics of the USAF ‘A’ model. the ‘C’ also had the extended wings and undercarrige of the FB-111A, thus having higher operating weights.

The RAAF also purchased not given as someone wrote on a reply to this thread somewhere 15 ex USAF F-111Gs (FB-111A).

These had digital avionics which led to the AUP program to upgrade all the ‘C’ models to digital aircraft.

While not being able to confirm the departure of the F-111C to Hawaii, It would be good to see an aircraft on display in her RAAF Marking if she does go over seas. As she is a ‘C’ model painting it in USAF Marking would be just plain stupid, due to the uniqueness of the ‘C’ model to Australia. Maybe the yanks can send some aircraft our way like the Tomcat that was promiced years ago to the FAAM musuem at Nowra NSW.

Any acquisition would be by the National Museum of the USAF on behalf of a base collection.

I don’t know Aussie F-111 designations, but is the “C” a ex-USAF example? IIRC, the Aussies were given some former SAC FB-111 models, and I don’t know whether any of those were preserved in the US.

There are still a few in the desert especially former RAF Upper Heyford examples.

But, no former FB-111s….if my guess is correct.

There are still a few in the desert especially former RAF Upper Heyford examples.

I would have thought there were plenty of F-IIIs sitting out in the desert in the US.

Any acquisition would be by the National Museum of the USAF on behalf of a base collection.

I don’t know Aussie F-111 designations, but is the “C” a ex-USAF example? IIRC, the Aussies were given some former SAC FB-111 models, and I don’t know whether any of those were preserved in the US.