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General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark |
USAF General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark tactical fighter bomber The F-111’s avionics systems included terrain following, target acquisition, communications, navigation, attack, and suppression of enemy air defense systems packages. The General Dynamics F-111A first flew in December 1964 and it became operational in October 1967.
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They saw active service on bombing missions in the Vietnam War. One F-111 could carry the bomb load of four F-4 Phantom IIs. Over 4,000 combat F-111A missions were flown over Vietnam with only six combat losses. They also completed bombing missions over Cambodia, Laos and other areas in Southeast Asia against Communist forces attempting to oust Cambodia's government. General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark were used in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and completed 3.2 successful strike missions for every unsuccessful one. They dropped almost 80% of the war's laser guided bombs, including the GBU-15 and the penetrating, bunker-buster GBU-28. Eighteen F-111Es were also deployed during the operation and were credited with destroying more than 1,500 Iraqi tanks and armored vehicles. The USAF General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was produced in a variety of variant, the F-111A, F-111D, F-111E, and F-111F, as well as an FB-111A strategic bomber version. The pressurized cockpit was air conditioned and the two crew members sat side-by-side. In emergency the whole cockpit was ejected and descended by parachute. It acted as a survival shelter on land and it could float on water. The General Dynamics F-111’s were retired from active service in 1996 being replaced by F-16 Fighting Falcons. A few electronic warfare F-111s remained in service as EF-111 Ravens Suppression of Enemy Air Defense [SEAD] mission aircraft until replacement aircraft became available. Its name Aardvark was because of its long nose. These aircraft photographs are great reference sources if your painting 1/72 scale, 1/48 scale or 1/24 scale plastic model airplane Airfix, Tamiya, zvezda, revel, Pavala aircraft kits or you’re into flying and painting radio RC controlled model planes. There are many aviation books published about the USAF General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark www.MooreAircraft.com Tell your friends about us. Send them an e-mail |