The F-111 – RAAF book download

It amazes me that content like this is for free on line.

Indeed, but it should be noted that this book was first published in 2010 to coincide with the retirement of the RAAF’s F-111s. Therefore, Australian readers in particular, might be a little disappointed to find that the link takes them to a book they already have. Nevertheless, the book is excellent and the availability of a searchable PDF is a bonus to those who already prize their hard copy.

It amazes me that content like this is for free on line.

Looks like a good piece but still have to read all of it.

One question came up quickly: Was the RAF F-111 ever used in combat as well? I am a complete non-expert on RAAF history so please forgive me for asking.

I know the USAF F-111s had some bussiness in the Middle East at times.

I downloaded and had a quick read through. A very good read with a lot of interesting info. I noticed that it perpetuates the myth that 3AD converted the 4 F111As to F111C standard. A8-113 was converted at 482 Maintenance Sqn. I was 2IC of the Wing section at 482Sqn and fitted the wing extensions to A8-113s wings. They didnt fitted correctly resulting in the new sections drooping down slightly when viewed from the front. This was due to the fact that the new sections came pre-drilled with no adjutment possible. Apparently those done at 3AD were the opposite ie were slightly raised. A8-113 was fitted with a set of wings removed from F111C A8-144.The modified wings off A8-113 were fitted to F111C A8-140.
John

Thanks Daniel, interesting reading. Unfotunate that the Australians were so quick to discount the Mirage IV ( on cost grounds ) and Vigilante ( based on some misunderstanding of its supersonic strike range ).

Hancock’s report rejected the Mirage IV and F-4C as not meeting the required specifications in range, low-level performance or reconnaissance capability…. and low-altitude entry & exit from the target zone was the preferred mission profile for the evaluation.

The documents I have digital copies of show that the RAAF firmly recommended the purchase of the Vigilante as their first choice… it was the politicians who over-rode them and bought the F-111.

A letter from the PM specifically says that the belief that buying the F-111 would create a more favorable political atmosphere and generate more US support for Australia (especially in regards to possibly getting nuclear weapons for deployment from the F-111s) was the main reason he decided on the F-111!

However, it is interesting to note the internal Australian political maneuvering noted in the book, and the effect that had on the decision.

I still think Australia would have done better to go ahead with the Vigilante, and then looked to buy FB-111As in the mid-1970s.

I wonder about something else… at the bottom of the left column on page 30 it claims “The arrangements also included the purchase of three frigates for the Navy”.

I don’t have time to read the whole thing right now, is there ever clarification of this? It could not possibly be referring to the 3 Perth-class DDGs, as the first two had been ordered on 6 January 1962 and the third on 22 January 1963.

The “arrangements” had been made in October 1963, so what ships could the PM have been referring to in the 22 October* 1963 Cabinet meeting?

* The text says “November”, but the preceding and following sentences & paragraphs show that it was actually in October.

A couple of interesting anecdotes in the book:

1. The Australian Chief of Air Staff nearly destroyed a visiting B-47 on take-off because he turned-off the water injection. Ah, the days when anyone with rank could jump into the cockpit and try to fly something.

2. One of the leased F-4Es was lost and an arrangement was made to offset the cost against that of an Aussie P-3B that was lost before delivery. Not really financially balanced!

And one Aussie proposal for a name for the F-111 was Destroyer…

Also depressing that the F-111K saga cost the UK $279 million.

Especially as we did not get any aircraft at all !!

Thanks Daniel, interesting reading. Unfotunate that the Australians were so quick to discount the Mirage IV ( on cost grounds ) and Vigilante ( based on some misunderstanding of its supersonic strike range ).

One “gotcha” of which I wasn’t previously aware was that whilst the individual unit cost of the F-111Cs was capped, other project costs were still charged to the Australians. Such as $2.5 million for rewriting the technical manuals! The author states that the advertised capped unit cost was $5.95 million but in fact was $13.52 million when project charges were allocated. ouch!

Also depressing that the F-111K saga cost the UK $279 million. Unbelievable sum when the government had been whinging about TSR.2 costing $1 million per week…