G'day Chaps,

Cop a gob full of this, Sport:

youtube.googleapis.com...showinfo=0

Cheers.

That would get your attention.


Wheels

Good find. Didn't realize the Aussies still drive that bird.

...............

ual002 wrote:

Good find. Didn't realize the Aussies still drive that bird.

The RAAF retired the F-111 last year I think. The belly-landing happened a few years ago at the Amberley RAAF Base, just west of Brisbane. Again relying on memory.

But there's something I'll never forget about the Pig, I was taking my regular walk with my Jack Russel chasing quale in the long grass beside the gravel road just outside a small country town I lived in, which is about forty-five minutes drive from Amberley.

All of a sudden two Pigs rawed just above me at low altitude and then, one chasing the other, the lead Hog climbed to almost vertical then broke the climb with a sharp turn with the other Pig in hot-pursuit not far behind.

The Pigs continued their mock dogfight with more high G maneuvers and then all a sudden both took off into the distance just as fast as they first appeared.

I'll never forget the noise of those Pigs at close quarters and the sheer terror on my dog's face.

wheelsup_cavu wrote:

That would get your attention.

It got my attention!!!

ual002 wrote:

Good find. Didn't realize the Aussies still drive that bird.

F-111 was phased out a couple of years ago and we should be getting a batch of F-35s hopefully maybe next year.

Belatu-Cadros wrote:

ual002 wrote: Good find. Didn't realize the Aussies still drive that bird. F-111 was phased out a couple of years ago and we should be getting a batch of F-35s hopefully maybe next year.

Dont count on it!! With the government cutbacks the way they are and with the lemons they have bought recently ( Euro "Tiger" and the MRH are prime examples) and I wouldnt expect to see the F-35`s anytime soon.
Consequently, the F-35`s are going to replace the ageing FA-18A Hornet fleet.
But we are digressing from the main topic and that was the belly landing. The aircrew did a stellar job considering their experience and that there was no written information on what to do in this emergency situation. Everyone concerned deserves a huge pat on the back this includes from the aircrew, to ALL of the ground support. The ultimate gain was that there was no loss of life.

Belatu-Cadros wrote:

ual002 wrote: Good find. Didn't realize the Aussies still drive that bird. F-111 was phased out a couple of years ago and we should be getting a batch of F-35s hopefully maybe next year.

True, and the final fly-past of the capital cities of Australia was last year.

Here's proof that the Australian government is controlled by idiots:

www.couriermail.com.au...6204896564

They could have at least saved the cockpit capsules. Would have made my day if these capsules were transformed into simulators. They just have no imagination. Unbelievable.

Siggels wrote:

Belatu-Cadros wrote: ual002 wrote: Good find. Didn't realize the Aussies still drive that bird. F-111 was phased out a couple of years ago and we should be getting a batch of F-35s hopefully maybe next year. True, and the final fly-past of the capital cities of Australia was last year. Here's proof that the Australian government is controlled by idiots: www.couriermail.com.au...6204896564 They could have at least saved the cockpit capsules. Would have made my day if these capsules were transformed into simulators. They just have no imagination. Unbelievable.

As an aviation enthusiast, it breaks my heart to see retired aircraft treated like this. Example, when you are near Willowbank there was two "Canberra" bombers rotting away in an open paddock. Fortunately the RAAF has reclaimed one and is now in the process of restoring it. The other is still there, rotting away.

_RAAF_Roodster wrote:

As an aviation enthusiast, it breaks my heart to see retired aircraft treated like this. Example, when you are near Willowbank there was two "Canberra" bombers rotting away in an open paddock. Fortunately the RAAF has reclaimed one and is now in the process of restoring it. The other is still there, rotting away.

Yes, I've stopped by there many times to show these Canberra's to my two sons when they were young. I'd lift them onto my shoulders so they could have a good look in-side the planes. They always enjoyed this and everytime we were passing the Canberra's they would ask, "Can I have another look inside, Dad?"

I said, "Sure, why not!"

RAAF is getting some new FA-18Fs that are prewired for conversion of how ever many they need to G models. (anti sam, ecm etc). Nice strike fighter, but not an air-superiority AC like the F-15,14 etc. Needs a bit more thrust methinks, but still a nice capable AC.

This trend of pretending the real world doesn't exist and gutting military spending in the western world while certain countries continue build ups is a bit worrisome, but it will change when a military disaster occurs as a result in some unthought of place. Always does.

Pitty about the F-111s though. A really capable strike AC. Still isn't anything that can do what it could. long range strike wise at low level.

It sure is cool to see a couple Aussies reminiscing. Cheers Mates! ...or whatever you guys say.

I couldn't enjoy it...the handlebar moustache irritated me.

That was by far the best part. You gotta embrace foreign cultures man!

In the early eighties I was fishing on the bank of the Columbia river near Stevenson Washington when a glint of sunlight reflection cought my eye as a pair of F111s came in from the west at about 500 feet over the river. They were not moving as fast they could have, in fact they had their wings swept forward. A beautiful sight as they passed by with the blue sky and green forested area and the glimmering water. They banked starboard and south toward the Oregon side of the river and flew straight for the mountains that raised sharply from the river which is about a mile wide at that point. After a few seconds they banked hard left and came back around toward me and my fishing spot, they hit the throttles swept their wings back and blasted back toward the west and then they were just-gone.