F111 for HARS

[Nigel C]

Reported in todays Illawarra Mercury
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/s...f-111/?src=rss

Illawarra home for iconic F-111

An Australian military icon will soon settle into hangar space at Albion Park with the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society preparing to take delivery of an F-111 fighter jet.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare has announced HARS would be one of six organisations to receive a retired F-111.

“The iconic F-111s were the front line of the Australian Defence Force for almost four decades,” he said.

“The F-111s were affectionately known as ‘Pigs’ because of their ability to hunt at night and fly low in the weeds thanks to their terrain-following radar.”

The aircraft could fly at more than twice the speed of sound and were perhaps best known for their fiery dump and burn exhibitions at air shows, Mr Clare said.

Throsby MP Stephen Jones said the announcement was great news for the region.

“The F-111 has been a vital part of Australia’s military capability for decades and it is great that the people of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions will have the chance to see this iconic aircraft up close,” he said.

“This aircraft will be a tremendous drawcard for the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society and is also a significant boost for the local tourism industry.”

The aircraft are expected to be delivered to their new homes from early next year.

The RAAF retired the F-111 in 2010 after 37 years of service.

Does anyone know where the other 5 are going? Have they specified which models are being used for exhibits?

[Stephen Brown]

Fighter World at Willy is getting one.

[damien b]

From Australian Aviation magazine:

Defence has announced the six museums and historical organisations chosen to display retired RAAF F-111C jets.

The six comprise:
Aviation Historical Society of the Northern Territory (Winnellie, NT);
Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Heritage Aviation Association (Evans Head, NSW);
Fighter World (Williamtown, NSW);
Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (Albion Park, NSW);
Queensland Air Museum (Caloundra, Qld); and
South Australian Aviation Museum (Port Adelaide, SA).

The six jets are A8-109 and A8-113 (both ex USAF F-111As that saw Vietnam combat), A8-129, A8-134 (an RF-111C), A8-147 and A8-148 (the last RAAF F-111c).

Deliveries of the loaned F-111 are expected to begin early next year. The WA division of the Australian Flying Corps and Royal Australian Air Force Association will receive a crew module display.

F-111s are already on display at the Aviation Heritage Centre at RAAF Base Amberly and the RAAF Museum at RAAF Base Point Cook. Two more fighters are planned to go on display at RAAF Bases Edinburgh and Wagga

[Jaryd stock]

Originally Posted by Nigel C

Have they specified which models are being used for exhibits?

There would only be the C model left, the G's were buried.

[Jaryd stock]

Sorry Damien didn't see post

[Lee G]

Re the crew module at the WA Airforce Association Museum in Bull Creek - I was there on 03October and it was in the North Hall near the Lancaster with the doors up and open to anyone who wanted to look inside. Looked as if nothing had been changed since delivery to the museum.

[Tim B]

Great to see. I think HARS are going to have to build another hangar.
They seem to like big aircraft, although I don't think the F111 had radial engines, which seem to be the engine of choice at HARS.

[David C]

The Illawarra Flyers Group have advised me that the HARS F111 will be A8-108 , and are anticipating taking delivery early next year .

Dave C

[Stephen Brown]

Don't know where they are going to put it at Fighter World, they were pretty crammed last time I was there.