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F-111

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valkyrian:
It is always interesting to get to read real stories about fighters. Since we have the luck to have among us an "insider" (F-111 C/C are you around?) i start this thread on purpose.

I am sure that F-111 C/C has heard stories from pilots of how good or bad was the F-111. I would like to ask if an F-15 or F-14 could follow the 111 either on high altitude or in low level chase. Or, could the F-111 defend itself against other fighters?

F-111 C/C i am looking forward for your interesting reply.....

F-111 C/C:
F-111 guys have always had the pleasure of bragging about the -111's ONLY defensive capability....it's speed. It has the distiction of being the fastest Combat aircraft in the world at any altitude (it is generally accepted that the MiG-25's Mach 3.2 run is unconfirmed). I have personally flown at 900KIAS at 5000' AGL in the last FB-111A made serial# 69-6514. I have personally 'recovered' aircraft that have flown Mach 2.8 with no problems (other than the melted paint and charred decals) and have worked on F-111G 67-7194 that flew 3.1 during testing for the B-83 Thermo-nuclear bomb. -111 pilots used to love to brag how at Red Flag they would outrun F-15s 'on the deck' no problem. When you combine a huge fuel load, 50,000lbs of thrust, the aerodynamics of a dart and Automatic TFR, nothing has the speed, fuel or balls to chase an F-111!

F-111 C/C:
Speed wasn't the only thing the F-111 had going for it. It had the distiction of being able to do it's job (deep Strike Interdiction) alone. It could accurately deliver weapons on target in any weather, at night without needing Foward air control, tanker support, Combat air patrol, or radar jamming and ECM. The plane carried a built-in ECM suite and RHAW system (radar homing and warning), without the need of an external pod, to alert them of threats. Most other jets have these systems attached externally and/or fly with other aircraft to perform these functions. The F-111s were always restricted to Sub-sonic range egress at Red Flag after the first couple of days because they were causing damage to the range equipment due to their low-level speed. One memorable excercise we had was an 'infiltration' excercise we flew 'against' the F-15s at Otis AFB, MA. The base is on the North East Coast of the U.S. and was a Fighter-Interceptor Squadron to intercept any enemy aircraft that would try to approach our airspace. 2 of our F-111s were told to fly out over the Atlantic and approach the base whereupon they would be detected, the F-15s would scramble and intercept the 'enemy' aircraft. According to our pilots, they not only flew into our airspace but flew right over the base undetected. They were told they were flying too low, too fast to be detected, and to go around and approach again only slower and higher!

SukhoiLover:
Theres also a fabulous story of how a jammer 111 scored a kill against a Mirage F-1 in the war against the iranians, are you familiar with it?

AVIATOR:
Excuse me coming over the top of you Suck, but I'd like to ask a question too.
If the F-111 is as good as you say, Aard, why not just make new ones and incorporate stealth technology. Sure would save heaps of money.
With the RAAF we don't have those commercial pressures where different aircraft companies are competing for orders. The best will do.

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