Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-111>HA3022

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 with the RAAF proposed retirement in 2010.

The Aircraft

Prior to Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm EF-111A 66-0030 took part in the El Dorado Canyon mission and while stationed at Upper Heyford wore the name “Mild and Bitter Homebrew”. For Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm the 390th ECS “Wild Boars” deployed eighteen aircraft with the EF-111As being assigned to the 48th TFW (Provisional). During the six-week war the 390th helped protect coalition aircraft by electronically jamming Iraqi air defenses. In late March 1991 the 390th EF-111As returned to Mountain Home AFB. 66-030 went to AMARC in 1998.

Specifications :

Aircraft variant name :	Raven
First delivery to combat units :	1981
Number of F-111As converted to EF-111As by Grumman :	42
Role :	Electronic warfare aircraft
Crew :	2 X pilot, Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO)
Powerplant :	2 x Pratt & Whitney P&W TF30-P-3 turbofan, 10,750 lb.s.t dry and 18,500 lb.s.t with afterburning. (lb.s.t. - Pounds Static Thrust)
Performance:
Maximum speed :	1,460 mph (Mach 2.2 / 2,350 km/h) above 30,000 ft
Normal range :	2,000 miles (1,740 nmi, 3,220 km)
Ferry range :	3,800 miles (3,300 nmi, 6,110 km)
Service Ceiling :	45,000 ft (13,715 m)
ROC	11,000 ft/min (3,353m/min)
Dimensions :
Length :	76 ft (23.17 m)
Wingspan :	63.0 ft (19.2 m) extended - 32.0 ft (9.74 m) swept
Height :	20 ft (61. m)
Wing area :	657.4 ft² (61.07 m²) spread - 525 ft² (48.77 m²) swept
Weights :
Empty:	55,275 lb (25,072 kg)
Loaded:	70,000 lb (31,751 kg)
Maximum Takeoff:	89.000 lb (40,370 kg)