After almost 32 years of Government Service with the USAF and the FAA, I retired in 2004. 12 years Active Duty with one break and Two years Active Reserves, I served in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Ten CONUS assignments as a Jet Engine mechanic (B52's and KC135's) an Air Traffic Controller ( Tower/ Radar and the MOB) and an Airfield Management Specialist (Reserves) and I can say I enjoyed all of them. I just enjoyed some more than others! I left the Air Force in 1984 when the FAA gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. I spent two more with the Air Force Reserve at Greater Pitt. After 30 years of telling pilots where to go, I hung up my headset and now I watch my 16 year old son grow up. And Yes he wants to be an Air Force Fighter Pilot. He's a Plane nut just like his dad!
Other Comments:
The Aircraft in this profile I either worked on as a mechanic, or controlled as an Air Traffic Controller in the US Air Force or the FAA. Some have interesting stories if you click on the photo.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model General Dynamics F-111F Aardvark Length 73.49 ft | 22.40 m Width 62.99 ft | 19.20 m Height 17.13 ft | 5.22 m Engine(s) 2 x Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-111 turbofan engines generating 25,100lbs of standard thrust each. Empty Weight 47,840 lbs | 21,700 kg MTOW 100,002 lbs | 45,360 kg Max Speed 914 mph | 1,471 km/h | 794 kts Max Range 2,900 miles | 4,667 km Ceiling 57,907 ft | 17,650 m | 11.0 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 5 Armament 1 x 22mm cannon
Mission-specific ordnance can include any of the following:
* F-111A - Initial Production Model Designation; 23 pre-production models produced; Total of 158 at production end fitted with 18,500lb TF30-P-3 powerplants; 42 converted to EF-111A Ravens. * F-111B - Cancelled Fleet Defense Variant of which 5 pre-production models were produced. * F-111C - Australian Export Models of which 24 were produced. * F-111D - 96 Production Models fitted with TF30-P-0 powerplants generating 19,600lbs of thrust each. * F-111E - 94 Production Models of this type. * F-111F - 106 Production Models of this type fitted with TF30-P-111 capable of 25,100lbs of thrust each. * EF-111A "Raven" - Electronic Warfare Model Designation based on converted F-111 "A" models; retired in 1998. * FB-111A - Strategic Model Designation of which 76 were produced; fitted with 2 x additional hardpoints, increased wingspan and TF30-P-7 powerplants generating 20,150lbs of thrust; improved electronics. * F-111G - Converted FB-111A Models for European Theater use; RAAF usage of this model as well. * EF-111A - Electronic Warfare Conversion Models of F-111A series; 42 converted in this way.
