Mass Burial of 23 F111s
 

That's just making life very difficult for the plane spotters!

At first to me it seemed a little odd, but I listened to an interview with Squadron Leader Paul Simmons, he explained that the aircraft contained toxic material and rather than recycle them, burial was the safest way of disposal. There has been some cases of RAAF ground personnel having major health problems having worked on the aircraft. I believe some were terminal.

Not all is lost as six aircraft are to become gate guardians, another six go to public museums in Australia and another aircraft is going to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Hawaii.

You will find a link to the interview with Paul Simmons here:

Guests - List of Conversations guests - ABC Conversations with Richard Fidler

I wonder how long it will be until we get a group that wants to dig them up, 'Spitfires from Burma' revisited? ;)

Nobody enjoys those images of F-111s being interred but credit where credit is due. Australia has preserved 13 out of the 45 F-111s that came to the country. That's 29% which is a good result by any standard.

Full list here

Rgds

The one inside on display at the Queensland Air Museum at Caloundra Aerodrome north of Brisbane is beautifully presented . Most impressive beast..
Cheers..

Although I have to declare my QAM bias, it has to be said that all of the preserved RAAF F-111s have been immaculately prepared. Not only did the RAAF F-111 Disposal Team restore, repaint, transport and reassemble each aircraft, they also washed them and retouched any minor paint chips before the aircraft were placed on display. It's been a magnificent effort by a dedicated and passionate team.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D (one for each F-111 saved)