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F111 Cockpit+Nose in yard at Blackbutt
There is a complete F111 cockpit and nose-cone assembly sitting on a yellow hangar trolley, in the front yard of a rural property near the Taromeo end of Franks Road, Blackbutt QLD.
Does anyone know anything about it's background and how it got there? Local rumours are that the 'owner' is planning on hoisting it up into some trees and leave it there. The owner already has a car body stuck up in the trees and has had for years. Surely the F111 deserves a better ending than being a birds-nest or something. Something like this should have been sent off to a museum or at least the local RSL club or such and placed on proper display. I saw it last week-end when driving through the area. Cheers |
It can't be mine.....My number of take-offs = landings
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6 SQN used to have a Crew Capsule as a training aid - could be that (but if it includes a nosecone - unlikely)
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Surely the F111 deserves a better ending than being a birds-nest or something. Something like this should have been sent off to a museum or at least the local RSL club or such and placed on proper display. |
The training capsule is headed to the RAAf Museum, if it's not there already.
Wonder if the Blackbutt front end is a replica? |
Hi Paul 2007
Did you take any photos? Paul C |
I thought the F111, if not destroyed / crunched up could only be given to certain Gov't controlled areas / Museums etc being a US aircraft ?
Or is that only the sensitive bits of an F111 ? Considering how the Gov't was very strict on who got which aircraft and I believe turned the rest into Scrap metal, it seems strange that bits are appearing. . |
...hence my suggestion that it's a replica!
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Must have missed your post.
It will be interesting to find out the full story. . |
I only wish I had a camera with me when I drove past it.
It was a surprise to see it out in the middle of nowhere. I have asked a 'local' if they could possibly get a picture and sent it to me (here's hoping) otherwise I will have to get one when I go that way again in about 4 weeks. It definitely did not look like a replica. Does anyone know who were allocated / given bits and pieces of the F111 or where I can find out such info? One local story (unconfirmed) is that it was given to the local RSL (don't see the connection with the aircraft) and if so, why is it in the paddock? Cheers PS did a Google maps / Nearmaps look at the area but the photos of the area are very poor quality and I am unable to make out any detail. |
The information on where they went was posted here on Pprune in one of the threads. It might be quicker looking it up on Google.
I think the minister said 7 airframes would be allocated From memory, I think some went to - one to South Australia, probably the RAAF Base - one to Point Cook, RAAF Base Museum (it is already there in a hangar) That's as much as I know. . |
From Jason Clare MP's recent press release
“I’ve met with museum operators around the country and I understand how important it is that as many Australians as possible have access to this piece of Australia’s aviation history,” Mr Clare said. “I have therefore decided that up to seven F-111s will be made available to Australian aircraft museums and other historical organisations.” The aircraft will be loaned to museums so that Defence can continue to manage the risk of hazardous material in the aircraft like asbestos and will be subject to a number of conditions to ensure the safe preservation of the aircraft. These include: Housing the aircraft in a completely enclosed facility; Ensuring members of the public are prevented from climbing into engine intakes and exhaust ducts; Limiting, controlling and supervising public access to the cockpit; Preventing the public from opening aircraft panels; Supervising public access to the wheel well and weapons bays; Completing specified preservation maintenance; and Meeting Commonwealth auditing and reporting requirements. As the aircraft were produced in the United States, organisations selected to display the aircraft will be subject to the approval of the US Government under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Interested organisations will be asked to respond to a Request for Offer which will be released by Defence later this year. F-111 aircraft will also be preserved at the following RAAF Bases across Australia: RAAF Base Amberley, QLD (two aircraft); RAAF Museum at Point Cook, VIC (two aircraft); RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA (one aircraft); and RAAF Base Wagga, NSW (one aircraft). |
I wonder where the seventh Aircraft will end up ?
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That's 7 in addition to the 6 already allotted.
Rgds |
OK, thanks.
That is good news. Hopefully it might be the start of future allocations although money might be a problem for some. I wonder if the Oakey Museum might ask for one. . . |
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