1/72 FB111A Tiger Meet 1978 680247 509th BW 393rd BS Pease AFB

The General Dynamics F-111 entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar and afterburning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998 but the RAAF continued to use theirs.

68-027 FB-111A was built in 1968 as C/N B1-19. In 1978 the NTM (NATO Tiger Meet) was to be held at Kleine Brogel, Belgium so 68-0247 that was assigned to the 509BW/393BS based at Pease AFB was sent to take part. In 1989 SACs F-111s were being replaced by B-1B bombers so F-111As were converted to F-111Gs. Some F-111Gs were spared from the Bone Yard and sent to the RAAF while the rest went to AMARC. In 1993 68-0247 was the USAF’s last flying F-111G to arrive there with 5,490 flight hours.