The F-111 is an interesting bit of kit!
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On the subject of comparisons with the Tomahawk, I had the dubious pleasure of flying Tomahawks when stall to spin was a regular training procedure. Used to look out the back during the spin. The F111 has moveable wings, but I bet it doesn't have a movable rudder fin like the Tomahawk!
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Have seen 830 at about 500ft off the coast of BNE once - the jet loves being let loose, and there were no adverse write ups afterwards.
I doubt very much 16 mins AMB-TSV claim though
. You obviously can't fly supersonic overland, so you'd need to draw a line to equivalent start and finish points off the coast, then you'd need a real good runup!
I'd say you'd need 23-25 mins minimum, and that's if the donks could handle an all-out run for that long! Would be fun trying though!
The Yanks used to say there was NOTHING that could catch their F models apart from the MiG-25 and SR-71. Knew an exchango who saw 900kts on the deck up at Cold Lake in Canada once!!!
Unfortunately, the Hornet would be lucky to get a third of the way before expiring!
I doubt very much 16 mins AMB-TSV claim though
. You obviously can't fly supersonic overland, so you'd need to draw a line to equivalent start and finish points off the coast, then you'd need a real good runup! I'd say you'd need 23-25 mins minimum, and that's if the donks could handle an all-out run for that long! Would be fun trying though!
The Yanks used to say there was NOTHING that could catch their F models apart from the MiG-25 and SR-71. Knew an exchango who saw 900kts on the deck up at Cold Lake in Canada once!!!
Unfortunately, the Hornet would be lucky to get a third of the way before expiring!
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Thats intresting to hear about the hornet running out of puff. Was under the understanding they were the ducks nuts.
Love to find out what the fuel burn would be at those speeds
Bizz
Love to find out what the fuel burn would be at those speeds
Bizz
Thread Starter
Somewhere in the conversation we have lost 1 minute. The article in the local rag quoted Sqdn Ldr Bloggs as saying "17 min Amberley to Townsville if we were allowed", ie flat chat direct over land.
I am no aeronautical engineer but one has to wonder why they don't use the same basic design and build a new Pig with new millenium technology. There doesn't seem to be anything out there that can match it with a Pig for beating the crap out of someplace.
Dr
I am no aeronautical engineer but one has to wonder why they don't use the same basic design and build a new Pig with new millenium technology. There doesn't seem to be anything out there that can match it with a Pig for beating the crap out of someplace.
Dr
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war story alert
When doing engine air tests in R677 off the coast of Brisvegas we would start the run at FL300 @ 300 KIAS. Level accel to 630KIAS then climb @ 630 into M1.9 up to FL500 (alt limit without a pressure suit).
The last instrument readings were taken at M1.9 but it would have been rude not to see how fast it would go..while you were there and all
The fastest I ever saw was M2.25 at Fl500 closely followed by double compressor stalls which tends to put an end to the fun.
As most of the wings leaked we only got airborne with 27K so started the Mach run with around 22ish K of gas, which would see you finish with around 8K. Min fuel was 3K. Its been a while since I flew around that neck of the woods but 17 minutes sounds a bit hypothetical ie 'if-i-had-magic-never-ending-cant-run-out-fuel-tanks' I could also fly to L.A. in 3 hours.
However, done the 'legal' speed limit of M0.95 with a 100+ Knot tail wind YBTL- YAMB which a; got the controllers attention as the ground speed was 700+ knots and b; made the transit a bit more bearable. Oh yeah, that wasn't even in mini-burner just mil thrust in a light jet
CAVEAT its been about 4 years /1034797 beers and two different A/C types since I flew it so some of the numbers are a bit rusty
The last instrument readings were taken at M1.9 but it would have been rude not to see how fast it would go..while you were there and all
The fastest I ever saw was M2.25 at Fl500 closely followed by double compressor stalls which tends to put an end to the fun.As most of the wings leaked we only got airborne with 27K so started the Mach run with around 22ish K of gas, which would see you finish with around 8K. Min fuel was 3K. Its been a while since I flew around that neck of the woods but 17 minutes sounds a bit hypothetical ie 'if-i-had-magic-never-ending-cant-run-out-fuel-tanks' I could also fly to L.A. in 3 hours.
However, done the 'legal' speed limit of M0.95 with a 100+ Knot tail wind YBTL- YAMB which a; got the controllers attention as the ground speed was 700+ knots and b; made the transit a bit more bearable. Oh yeah, that wasn't even in mini-burner just mil thrust in a light jet
CAVEAT its been about 4 years /1034797 beers and two different A/C types since I flew it so some of the numbers are a bit rusty
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Well we have Pigs and Hornets up here in Townsville now - its excellent sitting right at the edge of the tarmac at work watching them come in right over the top of you 
(oh I am on the Regiment side of the tarmac lol)
(oh I am on the Regiment side of the tarmac lol)
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A mate recently visited Edinburgh and met a few pig drivers in town for the airshow. He said the oldest wouldn't have been a day over 25. Other three looked to be no older than 21! 
Jealous doesn't begin to describe me
Jealous doesn't begin to describe me
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I met "Fish" at the WOW '06 after show dinner...he drove the Pig during the show...tell you what...he couldn't wipe the smile off his face (looked remarkably like a Pitts Grin)...seemed he rather enjoyed polling the Pig round the Wanaka basin.
Used to work at RAAF Amberley and yes most of the pig drivers are pretty young, and some of the drivers and nav's of the fairer sex are just plain pretty!
I believe the youngest ever pig driver was 19, but unfortunatly he bought the farm (through no fault of his own).
I believe the youngest ever pig driver was 19, but unfortunatly he bought the farm (through no fault of his own).
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bad as it sounds
Its nice to know we have an aircraft that can reach from one edge of oz to the opposite in the smallest amount of time and drop mini nucs as required if such a invasion from the north was to be!
I dont understand the need for F-18's as they are usless for our enviroment as everything is miles apart and we don't assalt, but i surpose it keeps the US counterparts happy just like our massive billion dollar orders for JSF to help america win thier wars.
The truth is no company has built a aircraft that suits our enviroment and out performs the F111, it will still be needed for years to come, lets hope it lasts! Nothing can go from A-B that fast with such a payload that could cause such destruction. Just as australia requirer's
Its nice to know we have an aircraft that can reach from one edge of oz to the opposite in the smallest amount of time and drop mini nucs as required if such a invasion from the north was to be!
I dont understand the need for F-18's as they are usless for our enviroment as everything is miles apart and we don't assalt, but i surpose it keeps the US counterparts happy just like our massive billion dollar orders for JSF to help america win thier wars.
The truth is no company has built a aircraft that suits our enviroment and out performs the F111, it will still be needed for years to come, lets hope it lasts! Nothing can go from A-B that fast with such a payload that could cause such destruction. Just as australia requirer's
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WannaBeBiggles,
It was Mark Fallon; driver at 19, in 1982.
Killed in a F111, 1986.
RIP, Per Ardua Ad Astra.
It was Mark Fallon; driver at 19, in 1982.
Killed in a F111, 1986.
RIP, Per Ardua Ad Astra.
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Just went to the link Taildragger67. Such a terrible shame. What a great accomplishment for such a young lad. I've faved this thread to show my young fella what can be achieved with hard work and dedication. I'm tipping him into the military for his tertiary studies. It's such a wonderfull opportunity for a young person. Ah to be 18 again......
D
D
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If you want a Civilian go-fast machine, you'll have to get yourself a Javelin when they get certified. Probably more reliable than a used L39.
That's a bloody shame. He barely looks 16 in one of those pics.
That's a bloody shame. He barely looks 16 in one of those pics.
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Thats intresting to hear about the hornet running out of puff. Was under the understanding they were the ducks nuts.
Whilst I would categorise a Hornet as "ducks nuts" and I really enjoyed the grunt the Pig has (grunt! get it??
...hmmm, yeah, anyway...) you can soooo much more in a Hornet, especialy in HUG2.2 form!
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mavrik1, if you can improve your spelling and grammar to that of a 9 year old, you have a great future in wargaming for the ADF.
I can see it now...a fleet of tired F-111s to drop mini nukes on the swarming hordes to the north.
I agree mate... the threat from the hundreds of Sukhois with active missiles moving into our theatre is grossly overstated. Who needs an air to air capability when you can fly fast.
I feel the need....the need...for speed.
High five!!
I can see it now...a fleet of tired F-111s to drop mini nukes on the swarming hordes to the north.
I agree mate... the threat from the hundreds of Sukhois with active missiles moving into our theatre is grossly overstated. Who needs an air to air capability when you can fly fast.
I feel the need....the need...for speed.
High five!!
Who needs an air to air capability when you can fly fast.
An F111 cannot out-manoeuver an R73, nor outrun one.
Grandpa Aerotart
The air to air argument is, in my view, overdone in respect of Indonesia.
When we lose the F111's capabilities that will be a great loss indeed...the loss of the ability to reduce Indonesia's command and control and leadership to ashes from bases within Australia....not to mention destroying a great many of their aircraft on the ground and/or crater their runways to the point of uselessness.
I am not suggesting the F111 kept in service in perpetuity but it's capability is a VERY big deal and that needs maintaining in perpetuity.
What else goes as far, as fast, as low with as much...and can do so in any weather day or night?
What hope does an Indon Sukhoi pilot have of stopping an F111 at 200'/night/in weather/in terrain typical of Indonesia from reaching it's target, destroying it and returning home?
I wouldn't have thought there was much chance...and ex F111 pilots I have worked with over the years are adamant that that is the case.
The Iraqi airforce had far greater potential that the Indon version has ever had and it lasted mere days before the Iraqi pilots, sick of being mere targets, turned and ran their jets into Syria...or refused to take off, during the first stouche...the second was a bomber war backed up with ground forces...and was over in days.
Let face it...we are NEVER going to have a conventional war with Indonesia...as in bomb/beat/occupy...what we need is a big enough stick to keep them fearfull of upsetting us too much....the F111 has been that stick for a very long time.
When we lose the F111's capabilities that will be a great loss indeed...the loss of the ability to reduce Indonesia's command and control and leadership to ashes from bases within Australia....not to mention destroying a great many of their aircraft on the ground and/or crater their runways to the point of uselessness.
I am not suggesting the F111 kept in service in perpetuity but it's capability is a VERY big deal and that needs maintaining in perpetuity.
What else goes as far, as fast, as low with as much...and can do so in any weather day or night?
What hope does an Indon Sukhoi pilot have of stopping an F111 at 200'/night/in weather/in terrain typical of Indonesia from reaching it's target, destroying it and returning home?
I wouldn't have thought there was much chance...and ex F111 pilots I have worked with over the years are adamant that that is the case.
The Iraqi airforce had far greater potential that the Indon version has ever had and it lasted mere days before the Iraqi pilots, sick of being mere targets, turned and ran their jets into Syria...or refused to take off, during the first stouche...the second was a bomber war backed up with ground forces...and was over in days.
Let face it...we are NEVER going to have a conventional war with Indonesia...as in bomb/beat/occupy...what we need is a big enough stick to keep them fearfull of upsetting us too much....the F111 has been that stick for a very long time.
Last edited by Chimbu chuckles; 17th Nov 2007 at 06:28.