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planes

The 2017 CF-18 “Demonstration” Hornet by Royal Canadian Air Force

by Till Daisd May 13, 2023

The Canada 150 logo is painted in red and white on the entire surface of the 2017 Canadian Forces CF-18 Demo Team

The CF-18 Demo Team of the Canadian Armed Forces debuted the impressive 2017 demo jet on April 4, 2017, after great anticipation.

The unveiling event took place at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, where the aircraft has been housed for the past few weeks, according to a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) news release. Along with local officials and military personnel, Captain Matthew Kutryk, the 2017 Demonstration Pilot, attended. Also present were the technicians and support staff for the 2017 Demonstration Team.

Everyone there got the chance to witness the 2017 paint scheme for the first time at the reveal has the aircraft completely painted with a red and white pattern that incorporates the Canada 150 logo.

A collection of diamonds, or “celebratory gems,” grouped in the form of the recognizable maple leaf make up the logo. Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia are the four original provinces that made up Confederation in 1867, and they are represented by the four diamonds at the base of the flag. From the base, more diamonds protrude to add nine additional points. They stand in for Canada’s 13 provinces and territories together. The years of Confederation are depicted on the left wing, with 1867 serving as the founding year and 2017 serving as the 150th anniversary year. The official name of the event, “Canada 150,” is carried by the right wing. The design as a whole creates a genuine one-of-a-kind and appropriate tribute to this significant year in Canada’s history.

Thanks to a collaborative effort between 3 Wing and 4 Wing, which provided hangar space and support during the painting, the 2017 Demonstration jet was painted. 3 Wing donated the jet and technicians to realize the design concept.

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces supported the Government of Canada in commemorating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation by taking part in several events across the nation during the air show season.

The 3 Wing Bagotville paint crew (left to right) Corporal(Cpl) Jérome St-Jacques, Cpl Matthew Chiasson, Master Corporal (MCpl) Claude Houde (paint crew commander), Cpl Luc Chiquette, and Cpl Étienne Jean, pose for a group shot during in front of the 2017 Demo Jet CF188734 from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, at 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta.

Photo by Royal Canadian Air Force

May 13, 2023 0 comment

Cold War

Impressive Skyraider survival story

by Till Daisd May 13, 2023

written by Till Daisd

In his first combat mission, Lieutenant William L. Harris Jr. dive-bombed a hydroelectric plant north of Hungnam. When he got back to the ship, he realized he had been hit. Concrete shards were discovered by maintenance technicians in the cowling and wings, confirming the precision of his bomb drops. “Cement Mixer” became Harris’ moniker

The following article is titled Skyraider Survival Stories and written by Capt. R.M. “Zip” Rausa, USNR (Ret.) appeared in July- August 2001 issue of Naval Aviation News.

The Korean conflict gave rise to a number of incredible stories of pilots who managed to escape dangerous situations or endured severe battle damage while riding a robust Skyraider:

After being attacked by Bon Homme Richard (CV 31) during a combat mission, Ensign John Rogers landed, but when he hooked a wire the engine froze. As evidence of the Skyraider’s durability, the mechs found a hole where an entire lower cylinder had been shot away.

When the hold-back fitting prematurely failed, a “Guppy” variant of the AD with a radome below and Commander William H. Rogers at the controls was on Valley Forge’s (CV 45) port catapult for a night mission. Along the ice-covered deck, the Skyraider slipped. Rogers hit the brakes while pulling back on the stick, but the AD kept sliding. In order to gather as much speed as possible, he rammed the throttle ahead while warning his two crew members of the impending ditch. As it plunged toward the water, the Skyraider sputtered off the end of the flight deck.

When the engine labored feverishly, Rogers retracted the gear and relaxed his grip on the stick. The “Guppy” thudded into the sea but then rebounded back into the air, spraying patterns of salt water in the process! In order to get the plane to safety, Rogers nursed it along the wave tops while gaining speed.

James Nesbit, an aviation electronicsman flying an AD-4N, felt a round of ground fire rip through the bottom of his aircraft. His parachute caught fire after the shell pierced the fuselage, perforated the fuselage again, careered off his cartridge belt, and was deflected out of the side of the aircraft. He made it through with an amazing tale to tell.

In his first combat mission, Lieutenant William L. Harris Jr. dive-bombed a hydroelectric plant north of Hungnam. When he got back to the ship, he realized he had been hit. Concrete shards were discovered by maintenance technicians in the cowling and wings, confirming the precision of his bomb drops. “Cement Mixer” became Harris’ moniker.

After recovering from a bombing raid on a target close to Kumson, Lieutenant (JG) Carl B. Austin was hit by a 37mm shell. The control stick whipped out of his grasp as he witnessed a burst of dazzling light. He strained to keep the bird under control and noticed that the fuselage, tail, and canopy were covered in shell shards. The port aileron was blasted away. The Skyraider managed to stay intact until he touched down without incident on a friendly airstrip on land. As soon as he exited the aircraft, he noticed shell bits that had pierced the canopy, scraped his neck, and lodged in his helmet. He returned to Princeton the following day in his repaired aircraft.

When Lieutenant Commander Lynn DuTemple of VA-195 was struck during a bombing run on a railroad bridge close to Hamhung in eastern North Korea, he earned the nickname “The Whistler.” Small weapons fire struck his canopy, leaving a pattern of broken glass. He managed to return to Princeton, but landing signal officer Lt. Roy Farmer became extremely concerned when he heard a whistling sound as he banked approaching the ship on final. He thought, “I don’t know what his problem is, but if he gets to the blunt end, I’m gonna ‘cut’ him, anyway.” When he did, the AD-4 normaly shifted into gear. It was later discovered that a 37mm round—rather than small arms fire—had passed through one of the four rotor blades, creating a softball-sized hole before striking the canopy. That’s what produced the sound.

After landing, mechanics counted 117 holes in the machine, ranging in size from miniature to as large as a basketball. Videto explained, “That shell had my name on it, but they had it misspelled.”

Read these impressive Skyraider Survival Stories

Photo by U.S. Navy

May 13, 2023 0 comment

Military

With new powerful engines, the U.S. Navy will upgrade its F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft

by Till Daisd May 12, 2023

written by Till Daisd

With the upgraded engines, the F414-GE-400’s power output would rise to 26,400 lbs

According to DefenseNews, the U.S. Navy gave General Electric (GE) a contract worth $114.8 million to replace the engines of the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft.

The fixed-price deal provided funds for the purchase of 28 F414-GE-400 engines from Lot 20 and 21 of full-rate manufacturing.

The so-called General Electric enhanced performance engine (EPE), which would boost the F414-GE-400’s power output from 22,000 lbs to 26,400 lbs, could be the new engine that attracts attention. EPE development started in 2009 and includes a number of enhancements over the baseline F414-GE-400, including better resistance to damage from external objects, a decreased fuel burn rate, and perhaps a 20% boost in thrust.

According to the Department of Defense (DoD), the work will be done in a number of places, including Lynn, Massachusetts, Madisonville, Kentucky, Hooksett, New Hampshire, and Rutland, Vermont. The project, which is scheduled to be finished in February 2019, is being managed by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), located at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland.

One of the many upgrades that the Advanced Super Hornet might include is EPE.

The aircraft would have an enclosed weapons pod, conformal fuel tanks, and a frontal radar cross-section (RCS) reduction of 50%. (EWP). Boeing and Northrop Grumman self-funded the development of an Advanced Super Hornet prototype, which underwent three weeks of flying tests to evaluate the effectiveness of CFTs, the EWP, and signature upgrades.

In March 2013, the U.S. Navy was considering the widespread adoption of conformal fuel tanks, which would allow the Super Hornet to carry 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) of additional fuel. Flight testing demonstrated that CFTs could slightly reduce drag while expanding the combat range by 260 nautical miles. Boeing stated that the CFTs do not add any cruise drag but acknowledged a negative impact imposed on transonic acceleration due to increased wave drag, hence the EPE development as a mitigating measure.

The Super Hornet could carry 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) more fuel if conformal fuel tanks were widely used, according to the U.S. Navy’s consideration in March 2013. Flight testing demonstrated that CFTs could slightly reduce drag while expanding the combat range by 260 nautical miles. Boeing claimed that the CFTs do not increase cruise drag, but conceded that increased wave drag had a detrimental effect on transonic acceleration, leading to the creation of the EPE as a mitigating measure.

Top image: Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Bo Flannigan / U.S. Navy

Bottom image: Boeing

May 12, 2023 0 comment

History

When President Vladimir Putin flew in a Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack during a tactical drill involving firing Kh-555 cruise missiles

by Till Daisd May 12, 2023

written by Till Daisd

Being the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, the President merely used the opportunity to see cruise missile launches, in-flight refueling, maritime reconnaissance, and low-altitude transonic flying. This Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack “joyride” was not expressly planned

The Tupolev Tu-160 missile carrier bomber (NATO codification: Blackjack) is made to destroy targets deep into continental theaters of operations and in remote geographic regions. It is the heaviest combat aircraft in the world and has the highest gross take-off weight among bombers. It is also the largest supersonic and variable geometry wing aircraft in the history of military aviation. Tu-160 was referred to as “White Swan” informally because of its power and grace.

Unbelievably, the Blackjack served as “Air Force One” just once! On August 16, 2005, the Tu-160 “03 Red” Pavel Taran, which had been acquired by the 121st GvTBAP in 2004, took off from Chkalovskaya AB, just west of Moscow, on a lengthy sortie that included the launch of the most recent Kh-555 cruise missile. But this wasn’t the mission’s sole peculiarity; Vladimir V. Putin, who was president of the Russian Federation at the time, was also a passenger.

After the MAKS-2005 airshow’s opening ceremony, Putin flew directly from Zhukovskiy to the base aboard a strategic missile carrier. This was not his first flight in a combat jet; earlier, he had flown as a backseater in a Su-27UB Flanker-C combat trainer, according to Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov in their book Tupolev Tu-160, Soviet Strike Force Spearhead.

The story of Russian President Vladimir Putin ride in a Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack during a tactical exercise involving the launch of Kh-555 cruise missiles — In August 2005, the then President of Russia, Vladimir V. Putin, was given a ride in a Tu-160 on a mission that was part of a Russian Air Force exercise.

Indeed, three Tu-160s were present at Chkalovskaya that day, and the planned flight was part of a tactical exercise designed to create a DA task force covering the north-western strategic direction and achieve the specified target. Being the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, the President merely took the chance to see cruise missile launches, in-flight refueling, maritime reconnaissance, and low-altitude transonic flying. This wasn’t a carefully planned “joyride.”

Lt.-Gen. Igor I. Khvorov, the then-Commander of the 37th VA VGK (SN), briefed Putin on the mission’s specifics before the flight using maps and placards. The President underwent a quick medical examination after which he put on his flight suit and received instructions on how to use the ejection seat and fly safely.

Soon after, “03 Red” lifted off with the President seated in the captain’s chair and steered north toward the region where the joint drill of the DA and the North Fleet was scheduled to take place. Maj.-Gen. Anatoliy D. Zhikharev, the chief of staff of the DA, was in the right-hand seat, controlling the plane alongside Col. Vladimir Adamov, the navigator, and Lt.-Col. Oleg Baranov, as the WSO. The other two Blackjacks, “05 Red” Aleksandr Golovanov (captained by Col. Aleksey R. Serebryakov) and “07 Red” Aleksandr Molodchiy (captained by Lt.-Col. Andrey V. Senchurov), were close behind it.

The bombers altered their trajectory and flew at supersonic speeds before descending near Nizhniy Novgorod. Four Kh-555 cruise missiles were launched during the mission by two Tu-160 aircraft, and they all successfully hit their targets at the Pemboy target range in the Komi Republic near Vorkuta. An Il-78 tanker provided fuel to the “Presidential” Tu-160 during the course of the operation. As they approached Olen’ya All in Olenegorsk in the Murmansk Region, the Tu-160s made a quick pass over the base at a speed of 900 km/h (559 mph).

In fact, on August 25, 2003, the Tu-160 carried a VIP for the first time. During that occasion, Anatoliy D. Zhikharev once again piloted “07 Red” from the right seat while Sergey B. lvanov, the then-minister of defense, was seated in the left seat.

Tupolev Tu-160 Soviet Strike Force Spearhead is published by Schiffer Publishing and is available to order here.

Photo by Presidential Press Service

May 12, 2023 0 comment

Military

In a Thunderbirds F-16, legendary moonwalker Buzz Aldrin soars above Cape Canaveral.

by Till Daisd May 11, 2023

written by Till Daisd

Buzz Aldrin broke barriers in 1969 by walking on the moon

Buzz Aldrin, a former air force colonel, and another astronaut took flight in an F-16 on April 2, 2017. The Thunderbirds of the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron participated in the fly-by over Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

In addition to becoming the Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 11, Edwin Eugene “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. also served as a US Air Force (USAF) fighter pilot during the Korean War. Using an F-86 Sabre, he completed 66 combat missions and downed two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 aircraft. On June 8, 1953, Life magazine published images taken by Aldrin using a gun camera of a Soviet pilot jumping from his damaged aircraft.

Aldrin served as an aerial gunnery instructor at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada, after the war. He then worked as an assistant to the dean of faculty at the USAF Academy, which had just started operations in 1955. He earned his Squadron Officer School degree at Alabama’s Maxwell AFB in the same year.

As a flight commander with the 22d Fighter Squadron at Bitburg Air Base in West Germany, he piloted F-100 Super Sabres (FS). In October 1963, Aldrin was chosen to be a part of the third group of NASA astronauts.

On Gemini 12, the final Gemini mission, he was a pilot and set a record for extravehicular activity (EVA), proving that astronauts could perform tasks outside of spacecraft.

Aldrin broke down barriers in 1969 and, after Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong, became the second person to walk on the moon at 03:15:16 on July 21, 1969 (UTC).

Photo by U.S. Air Force

May 11, 2023 0 comment

History

Video shows the USAF Museum’s XB-70 Valkyrie Mach 3 hauled outside for gallery renovation

by Till Daisd May 11, 2023

written by Till Daisd

The North American XB-70 Valkyrie was relocated outside for a day on October 6, 2020, as part of an effort to renovate a gallery in the fourth building of the museum

The stunning video in this post was captured on October 6, 2020, and it shows the National Museum of the US Air Force’s North American XB-70 Valkyrie Mach 3 bomber being moved outside for a day as part of an exhibit refurbishment in the museum’s fourth building.

The XB-70A was an experimental high-speed, delta-wing aircraft created for the US Air Force (USAF) by North American Aviation’s (NAA) Los Angeles Division. It was intended to fly at three times the speed of sound and higher than 70,000 feet (21,000 kilometers).

At Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, 5,000 workers and visitors witnessed NAA Chief Pilot Alvin White and USAF copilot Joseph Cotton launch the elegant six-engine giant for its first flight on September 21, 1964. The effort had begun in 1954 when Boeing and NAA both submitted concepts for the Air Force Weapon System 110A competition. The competition was won by NAA on December 23, 1957.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are less expensive and presumably more resilient, have been prioritized as the cornerstone of US nuclear forces, however, budget cuts at the federal level and improvements in Soviet air defenses have had the opposite effect. The Air Force reduced the B-70 to a research program on April 10, 1961, and just two of the aircraft would be produced. On July 17, 1965, the XB-70A-2, a second Valkyrie, took to the air.

The XB-70 is still the biggest and heaviest aircraft to have ever flown at Mach 3 with a maximum takeoff weight of 542,000 pounds (245,847 kilograms). The XB-70 was supported on the ground by a powerful landing gear that weighed more than 6 tons (5.4 tonnes) and was made up of 2 tons (1.8 tonnes) of wheels, tires, and brakes. The nose gear had two wheels, while each of the major gears had four. The XB-70 stopped at a speed of around 100 mph (61 kph) and absorbed enough kinetic energy to stop 800 medium-sized cars in one motion.

The XB-70A-2 and an F-104 that had been caught in Valkyrie’s vortex wake were both destroyed in the disaster on June 8, 1966, during a photo flight, which also claimed the lives of two pilots. The last Valkyrie, XB-70A-1, flew for NASA testing supersonic transport’s flight regime before being added to the collection at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, on February 4, 1969.

Video by the NMUSAF Public Affairs Division-Ken LaRock.

May 11, 2023 0 comment

Carriers

On VF-31 Tomcatters F-14Ds for a 7-hour mission

by Till Daisd May 10, 2023

written by Till Daisd

The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) aircraft carrier saw the F-14Ds from VF-31, the Tomcatters, and VF-213, the Black Lions, embark for the “last cruise” of the legendary Tomcat in support of OIF

The amusing video in this article, which was shot during the F-14 Tomcat’s final cruise, allows you to fly with the VF-31 Tomcatters aircrews on their F-14Ds during a 7-hour mission over Mosul, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

During the “last cruise” of the legendary Tomcat, F-14Ds from VF-31, the Tomcatters, and VF-213, the Black Lions, boarded the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) for a Med/Gulf Deployment in support of OIR. This deployment lasted from September 1, 2005, to March 11, 2006.

ROVER (Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver) III downlink was added to the F-14Ds of VF-31 and VF-213 on December 10, 2005, allowing them to send photos to ground Forward Air Controllers (FAC).

The last combat mission carried out by a US Navy Tomcat was finished on February 8, 2006, as we have previously reported. VF-213 Black Lions F-14D piloted by Commander William G. Sizemore II of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 while wearing “modex 204.” The last pilot to ever drop a bomb from an F-14 Tomcat was Bill Frank, a VF-31 Tomcatters pilot who also took part in the final mission.

Together, VF-31 and VF-213 flew 1,163 combat sorties totaling 6,876 flight hours during their final deployment aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. They also dropped 9,500 lb (4,300 kg) of ammunition during missions for close air support (CAS), surveillance, and reconnaissance.

On July 28, 2006, the USS Theodore Roosevelt launched an F-14D from VF-31 for the final time. On March 10, 2006, the VF-31 Tomcatters and VF-213 Black Lions, the final two F-14 squadrons, held their final fly-in at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana.

Photo by video screenshot

May 10, 2023 0 comment

Military

The main differences between the F/A-18 “Legacy” Hornet and the F/A-18 Super Hornet

by Till Daisd May 9, 2023

written by Till Daisd

In comparison to the Legacy Hornet, the Super Hornet is roughly 20% larger, 7,000 lb (3,200 kg) heavier at empty, and 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) heavier at maximum weight

The key distinction between the Boeing F/A-18 “Legacy” Hornet and the F/A-18 Super Hornet is shown in the amazing video in this post.

A twin-engine multirole fighter with carrier capability, the McDonnell Douglas Super Hornet was developed and made its first flight in 1995. It is based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The larger and more modern F/A-18C and D Hornet derivatives are the single-seat F/A-18E and twin-seat F/A-18F.

A number of features, such as avionics, ejection seats, radar, weapons, mission computer software, and maintenance and operating procedures, are shared by the Hornet and Super Hornet. In comparison to the Legacy Hornet, the Super Hornet is roughly 20% larger, 7,000 lbs (3,200 kg) heavier at empty, and 15,000 lbs (6,800 kg) heavier at maximum weight. In comparison to the Legacy Hornet, the Super Hornet has 33% more internal fuel, a 41% increase in mission range, and a 50% increase in endurance.

The Super Hornet must have its catapult and arresting systems adjusted differently than the Legacy Hornet because of its higher weight. The Super Hornet is colloquially known as the “Rhino” to distinguish it from earlier Hornets in order to promote safe flight operations and avoid confusion in radio calls. (The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, which was decommissioned from service in 1987, was originally known as the “Rhino.”)

Additionally, unlike the Legacy Hornet, the Super Hornet is built to be equipped with an aerial refueling system (ARS) or “buddy store” for the refueling of other aircraft, filling the tactical airborne tanker role that the U.S. Navy had lost with the retirement of the KA-6D Intruder and Lockheed S-3B Viking tankers.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chase Hawley/Released) / U.S. Navy

May 9, 2023 0 comment

Cold War

The SR-71 Blackbird that slid on JP7 fuel residue into Kadena Hangar

by Till Daisd May 9, 2023

written by Till Daisd

The crew chief signaled BC to halt as the SR-71 slowly taxied into the hangar and drew near the parking spot. As usual, BC hit the brakes, but the SR-71 started to slowly slide on the JP-7 fuel residue

This story appears in John Altson’s book The Black Line.

The Kadena Hangar Slide

The SR-71 abort into Bodo, Norway, is one of many airborne emergency circumstances the Thomas-Reid crew encountered. But, BC and Jay also experienced some perilous circumstances while on the ground. After completing one operational mission, they began to taxi up to the open-on-both-ends Kadena hangar. The crew chief often waits at the opposite end of the hangar when the SR-71 taxis into it.

The floor of the hangar was covered in JP-7 fuel from flight preparation and prestart for this mission as BC taxied the SR-71 inside. In the SR-71, the skin of the aircraft serves as the skin of the fuel tank; there is no fuel bladder. During ground operations and until the plane is in the air, JP-7 leaks from the aircraft. When the plane gets hot, the elastic polymers expand and stop the leak of JP-7. Up to 1000 pounds of gasoline can leak from an SR-71 between takeoff and preflight.

The crew chief signaled BC to halt as the SR-71 slowly taxied into the hangar and drew near the parking spot. As usual, BC hit the brakes, but the SR-71 started to slowly slide on the JP-7 fuel residue. Normally, the Physiological Support Van is stationed in front of the aircraft at this point (between the nose of the aircraft and the blast fence just outside the hangar), transporting the crew back to the facility where they remove their pressure suits. Luckily, it was not parked in that spot, otherwise, the aircraft would have struck it as it passed through the hangar.

Rich Graham and Don Emmons, the SR-71 buddy crew, and other ground personnel put chalk in front of the wheels right away. Everyone else on the ground then seized a piece of the aircraft in an effort to halt it.

As Jay stated, “The problem of not hitting stationary objects while sliding through the hangar was complicated by having to make about a 30-degree right turn to avoid the blast fence before the tires were on firm, dry ground and we could stop. A turn too early and the right wing would contact the hangar wall; too late and the steering might not work, causing us to crash into the blast fence (it’s for things like this that we were paid the extra bucks). After several moments of stark terror, the aircraft finally stopped sliding as the handling gear reached dry concrete. As they say, it’s not over until it’s over — in this case, the flight was not over until the aircraft had completely stopped halfway outside the hangar. After this incident, the hangar floor was thoroughly mopped up prior to parking to prevent any future incidents.”

The Black Line is available to order here.

Photo by U.S. Air Force

May 9, 2023 0 comment

Accidents and equipments

When an F-111 of the Royal Australian Air Force did a belly landing

by Till Daisd May 8, 2023

written by Till Daisd

The loss of the aircraft’s port main wheel soon after takeoff was the cause of the incident

In the video in this post, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111 emergency lands at RAAF Base Amberley after experiencing wheel failure during takeoff.

The F-111C A8-143 was the aircraft that was involved in the incident, which occurred on July 18, 2006. It is noteworthy that the loss of the plane’s port main wheel shortly after takeoff was the cause of the disaster.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that after two hours of planning, during which they dumped fuel in nearby Moreton Bay, the F-111 aircrew members—Flying Officer Peter Komar, a novice pilot, and Flight Lieutenant Luke Warner, an experienced navigator—were instructed to try a belly landing after the tower informed them of the missing wheel.

The F-111 aircrew explains in the video that as their damaged jet descended, they lowered the aircraft tailhook, which picked up a cable and assisted in bringing it to a stop. As the jet rolled on its belly along the tarmac, it generated a shower of sparks.

On September 6, 1973, the F-111 CA8-143 was delivered to the RAAF. In 1980, it was upgraded to RF-111C reconnaissance standard. The aircraft was never fixed after the belly landing, and its rudder and fin are still on display at RAAF Base Amberley.

THAT TIME A ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE F-111 PERFORMED A BELLY LANDING

The RAAF F-111s’ history is pretty fascinating.

In 1963, the Australian government bought 24 F-111C aircraft. The first of these was delivered to the RAAF on September 4, 1968, while the remainder were finished between 1968 and the beginning of 1969. But soon after, the whole fleet was grounded in the United States while severe flaws in the F-111’s design were fixed. The 24 aircraft were finally accepted by the RAAF in 1973, and between June 1 and December 4 of that year, four groups of them were flown to Australia.

Four F-111C aircraft were converted to RF-111C reconnaissance planes. Between October 1979 and April 1979, these modifications were made to the first, A8-126, in the United States. Between July and September 1980, Australia changed the other three.

As attrition replacements, the RAAF acquired four ex-U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-111As in 1981. These planes were delivered to the service in 1982 and later upgraded to F-111C specifications.

To prolong the useful life of the type, the Australian government opted to buy up to 18 former USAF F-111Gs in 1992. The RAAF eventually received 15 F-111G aircraft, which were delivered in late 1993 and early 1994. Additionally, three other ex-USAF F-111Gs were kept in the U.S. for Australia but were never delivered.

On December 3, 2010, the RAAF retired its F-111 fleet. During the service life of the type, eight F-111s (seven F-111Cs and one F-111G) were destroyed in accidents, which resulted in the deaths of ten airmen.

Photo from screenshot video

May 8, 2023 0 comment

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