Didnt see this one coming…..

” its off to Pacific Aviation Museum at Hawaii according to the reports and will take 3 x C-17 flights later this year to move it.”

Aren’t those the key four words?

Actually, according to the Aussie DOD and Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown! http://news.defence.gov.au/2013/08/22/raaf-f-111-retires-to-the-united-states/

Department of Defence
Media Release

22 August 2013

RAAF F-111 retires to the United States

The final F-111 strike aircraft to be displayed at historical museums, will tomorrow begin its retirement journey to the United States.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown said aircraft A8-130, will be gifted to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Hawaii as a token of the close ties between Australia and America through a long period of coalition operations.

“This gift symbolises the close working relationship we enjoy with our American colleagues – on operations, on exercises and through airmen-to-airmen talks,” Air Marshal Brown said.

“The F-111 originated in America, it has served us well in Australia, and in returning one aircraft we acknowledge the role this unique aircraft has played in Australian history.”

” its off to Pacific Aviation Museum at Hawaii according to the reports and will take 3 x C-17 flights later this year to move it.”

Aren’t those the key four words?

Is the airframe in question one of the ex-USAF ones?

…..

USAF C-17 flights to Australia are moderately common, there may well be some expected to have spare capacity. e.g. 5 C-17s para-dropped a battalon into Queensland from Alaska for Talisman Saber recently, as well as support for the Marines that rotate through Darwin. Worst case would be diverting returning Antarctic support flights from Christchurch (I assume there are a good proportion of empty northbound flights from the ice).

Yes. The aircraft in question, A8-130 (serno given in opening post) has the following history (remember, the RAAF F-111Cs were stored from 1968-73 pending modification of their wing carry-through boxes and other systems due to redesign of those components):

First Flight 15/09/1968
Delivered to RAAF 01/06/73.
Participant of Indycar 2006 on practice day.
In Service 1 Sqn.
Transferred to 6 Sqn.
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 read “This aircraft has been prepared for destruction and all access is denied” however it was not scrapped.
Fitted with wings etc off A8-135
Noted outside RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre 26/07/2011 with wings reattached.
Repainted in SEA camouflage scheme.
A8-130 will be gifted to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Hawaii, preparations for airlift via 3x RAAF C-17 flights commenced 08/2013

From: http://www.adf-serials.com.au/3a8.htm

Main site index: http://www.adf-serials.com/

Note the above states RAAF C-17 flights.

http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/gallery/F-111-A8-130

Is the airframe in question one of the ex-USAF ones?
The Skyhawk in the RAN Museum had a few years away with the RNZAF (returning an example was a condition of sale), not sure if it was USN prior.
The RNZAF has had an ex-USN A-4 for many years i.e. since before they retired from RNZAF service.

USAF C-17 flights to Australia are moderately common, there may well be some expected to have spare capacity. e.g. 5 C-17s para-dropped a battalon into Queensland from Alaska for Talisman Saber recently, as well as support for the Marines that rotate through Darwin. Worst case would be diverting returning Antarctic support flights from Christchurch (I assume there are a good proportion of empty northbound flights from the ice).

Aussie museums that were able to meet the conditions for secure display and storage were able to bid for an F-111 or crew module. If an Aussie museum didn’t get one, they either didn’t meet the conditions required, or they didn’t bid.

The aircraft in question will be on display rather than being buried. Australian museums have aircraft from other countries and services on display, it’s only fair that some Aussie aircraft go overseas.

Cheers,
Matt

Whats that old saying about coal and Newcastle?

I would have thought the US navy has enough ships going back and forth across the Pacific that it would be easier and cheaper by boat? wouldn’t even have to strip it down?

A bit weird that they are able to spend 3 C-17 flights to get it to Hawaï, especially when looking at the sequester trouble going on.

US or Australian C-17 flights? Not a bad jaunt, 3 trips to Hawaii.

A quick Google shows 38 in US museums, as Peter says must a few in the boneyards, I would have thought proberbly more than a few, after all they didn’t finish service until ’98.

Australia – Hawaï or Amarg – Hawaï:

Still a pricy thing just to get an aircraft to a museum.

Not only that.. theres still a few left in the boneyard??

A bit weird that they are able to spend 3 C-17 flights to get it to Hawaï, especially when looking at the sequester trouble going on.