Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-111>HA3007

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

On July 8, 1958 the 48th BG(light) became the 48th TFW. They were known as the “Liberty Wing” and in 1986 F-111F 70-2390 “Miss Liberty II” was the lead F-111 in Operation El Dorado Canyon. This was retaliation for a Libyan sponsored bombing of a Berlin night club that killed 1 U.S. Serviceman and a civilian also injuring 200 others of which 63 were U.S. Military personnel. 70-2390 flew with the call-sign Remit 31. The 48th TFW F-111’s were operational from March 1, 1977 until November 1991.

Specifications :

Role :	Multi-purpose Tactical Fighter Bomber
First Deployed :	October 1967
Production :	106 x F-111F
Total Production All Variants :	563
Crew :	2
Performance
Engines :	2 x Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 turbofans, 25,100 lb.s.t. per engine using afterburners
Fuel Capacity
Internal :	5,043 US gallons
Total Capacity :	7,443 US gallons with maximum external fuel
Maximum speed :	1,453 mph @ 53,450 ft / 914 mph @ sea level
Initial climb rate :	25,550 ft per minute (clean)
Service Ceiling :	56,650 ft
Combat Radius :	1,330 miles
Maximum Ferry Range :	3,634 miles with external fuel
Dimensions
Wingspan :	63 ft 0 in (extended), 32 ft 0 in (swept)
Length :	73 ft 6 in
Height :	17 ft 0 in
Wing Area :	525 sq ft
Weights
Empty :	46,172 pounds
Gross :	82,819 pounds
Maximum Take-off :	98,950 pounds
Armament:	Up to 4 x nuclear bombs on 4 pivoting wing pylons AND
	Wing pylons carry a total external load of 25,000 pounds (11,250 kg) of bombs, rockets or fuel tanks
	20 x CBU-52
	20 x CBU-59
	20 x CBU-71
	8 x CBU-87
	8 x CBU-89
	20 x MK-20
	4 x BL-755