The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) selected the F-111 as their next generation tactical strike aircraft in 1963. The configuration adopted by the RAAF was the standard F-111A airframe with the long wings used by the FB-111 and F-111B coupled with the stronger landing gear from the FB-111. This unique combination was designated as the F-111C. While the first aircraft arrived in 1968, development problems delayed acceptance of the type until 1973.
Over the years, the RAAF adopted a series of updates to keep the aircraft combat ready including avionics upgrades, updated cockpit similar to the F-111F, adoption of the PAVE TACK targeting system used by the F-111F, and re-engined with the TF30-P-109 rated at over 20,000 pounds of thrust in afterburner (reheat).
With over 25 years of flight time, the F-111Cs developed wing cracks and in 2001, a wing replacement program was undertaken. Since there were no spare long wings available (the available FB-111A/F-111G airframes had already been sold to Australia), the wings were taken from the F-111Fs in storage at AMARC and sent to Australia. These short wings were completely overhauled and in the process, lengthened to match the standard F-111C wingspan. The RAAF F-111C is the only version of the Aardvark still operational today
Zes uitvoeringen mogelijk;
- RAAF, F-111C A8-131, Res Flag, 2009.
- RAAF, F-111C A8-131, Red Flag, 2006.
- RAAF, F-111C A8-131, Red Flag, 2002.
- RAAF, F-111C A8-131, 30th Anniversary, 2003.
- RAAF, F-111C A8-125, 25th Anniversary, 1998.
- RAAF, F-111C A8-125, 90th Anniversary, 2007.
Extra:
- New cockpit CRT layout
- New nose gear
- New nose gear well
- New rear antenna fairings
- New antennas and sensors
- New ECM pod
- Metal pitot tube
- New choice of wing gap positions for swept or unswept
- Pivoting wing pylons
- New main wheel hubs
- 1 x AGM-130 + datalink pod
- 1 x AGM-142 + datalink pod
Humbrol verf kleur nr.'s;
- 11 Metallic Silver
- 19 Gloss Bright Red
- 21 Gloss White
- 22 Gloss Black
- 33 Matt Black
- 53 Metallic Gunmetal
- 56 Metallic Alumium
- 125 Satin US Dark Grey
- 126 Satin US Medium Grey
- 127 Satin US Ghost Grey
- 140 Matt Gull Grey
- 155 Matt Olive drab
- 1321 Clear color Red