Quote:
Originally Posted by Boozehound
F-111s still performing at airshows? I remember them saying that the last F-111 display was to be held at Avalon 09. So this one is going to be the last time for real?
Shame to see these go, awesome performance in these 45 year old beasts. Top speed of Mach 2.5, ceiling 66,000ft and a 2100km combat radius, the Superhornets replacing them fall well short of all of these figures. They don't make 'em like they used to  |
Kinda like "more last shows than Johnny Farnham"!
The Hornet Aircraft serviceability rate compared to the F111..is like day and night and F111 maintenance was and is hugely expensive and manpower intensive.
edit:
forgot to say...we trialled new generation engines in the F111 at ARDU late 80s. The old beast went quite a bit faster than its rated 2.4Mach. Airframe temp got too much though.