Super Hornet arrival

[Damian N]

I'm guessing then that it wasn't done due to a need to train / practice a formation with the different types beforehand?????

[Andrew McLaughlin]

No, they flew in formation ok, it's just that the RAAF photog didn't catch it for some reason?!?!?

Fortunately, 'someone' caught it for posterity's sake!

http://australianaviation.com.au/rhinos-arrive/

[Damian N]

I saw that pic Andrew - but did they do a full 9-ship formation? PS where was that pic taken from - Omega or another F-111?

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Was taken by our photog in the Omega tanker.

There were no 9-ship forms - this is as close as they got as they flew over AMB.

They had one Pig plus three Rhinos on one side of the tanker, and one plus two on the other. The other two F-111s stayed away from the tanker.

[Damian N]

Thanks for posting Andrew! Amazing to see the difference in amount of black smoke trailing the two types.......

[Andrew McLaughlin]

40 years of engine development!

[Bob C]

Also good to see the four F111s' wings swept back at different angles - a reminder of what an innovative aircraft it was all those years ago.

[Craig Murray]

40 years of development, pffft! Those Super Bee's look nowhere near as spunkylicious as the mighty Pigs!!!

All 40 years has got us is "clinical" rather than "classic" aircraft design

Viva F-111!

[Damian N]

Does anyone here know if there is a difference in fuel mixture between the two types - F/A-18F and F-111 - (ie does the Pig need some additives etc) or is the difference in exhaust plume purely the result of the difference in quantity of particulate being pumped out?

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Same fuel, just different bypass ratios and much better efficiency in the later design. Same as a 707 compared to an A380.

Agree Craig - ya gotta lerv the Pig!





Looks like Defence did get some Pig/Rhino form pics after all... http://www.defence.gov.au/media/down...330a/index.htm