General Background

The General Dynamics F-111 “Aardvark” entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar and afterburning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998 but the RAAF still use theirs.

The Aircraft

The RAAF had ordered 24 F-111C’s and on June 1st 1973 the first F-111C (Pig) A8-125 landed at RAAF Amberley, Queensland. A8-125 was formerly designated USAF 67-125. The aircraft was flown by GpCpt J W Newham (later CAS) and WgCdr (later AirCdre) T C Owen. On December 3, 2010 A8-125 completed its last flight with 6 Squadron. It was piloted by CO 6 Sqn WG Cdr Michael Gray and marshaled by Daryl Mackiln, the same man who marshaled A8-125 37 years earlier when it first arrived at Amberley.