Compared with the cost of acquiring the F-111 and operating it for 37 years, the cost of restoring 13 aircraft for display is insignificant. Even having to destroy the remaining 23 was at the taxpayers' expense so at least the taxpayer has something to show for the additional expenditure on preserving 13 aeroplanes.
So what if we have given one back to our American friends. They have contributed several aircraft to Australian museums so it's good to be able to repay their generosity.
We've got people complaining when we destroy them and people complaining when we save them. Some of you guys need to get it into your heads that this has been a good result.