What else would I be Blogging about on Memorial Day
General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is a retired supersonic, medium-range, multirole combat aircraft. Production variants of the F-111 had roles that included ground attack (e.g. interdiction), strategic bombing (including nuclear weapons capabilities), reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Developed in the 1960s by General Dynamics, the F-111 entered service in 1967 with the United States Air Force (USAF). The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) also ordered the type and began operating the F-111C variant in 1973.
The F-111 pioneered several technologies for production aircraft, including variable-sweep wings, afterburning turbofan engines, and automated terrain-following radar for low-level, high-speed flight. Its design influenced later variable-sweep wing aircraft, and some of its advanced features have since become commonplace. The F-111 suffered a variety of problems during initial development.
A fighter variant, the F-111B, was not accepted for production. The F-111B was intended to perform aircraft carrier-based roles with the US Navy, including long-range interception.
USAF F-111s were retired during the 1990s with the F-111Fs in 1996 and EF-111s in 1998. The F-111 was replaced in USAF service by the F-15E Strike Eagle for medium-range precision strike missions, while the supersonic bomber role has been assumed by the B-1B Lancer. The RAAF continued to operate the type until December 2010, when the last F-111C was retired.
The name Aardvark was derived from perceived similarities of the aircraft to the animal of the same name: a long nose and low-level, terrain-following capabilities. The word aardvark originated in the Afrikaans language, as a contraction of "earth-pig", and this was the source of the F-111's nickname of "Pig", during its Australian service.
Enjoy
Safe Travels and Journeys
Susan, Dakota, Tilly and Me
DaGirls Rv AKA Gus
Always remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our way of life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information, I have never visited that memorial.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels! Served Vietnam in the 70s. Enjoy yourselves.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dale, for your dad’s service to our country. Drive safe, and we will SeeYa along the way.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dale, for your father’s service to our country. Travel safe and we’ll SeeYa along the road.
ReplyDeleteNice memorial. We stopped in PA last month and visitedvthe flt. 93 911 memorial. Most humbling!!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Thanks
ReplyDeleteLove hearing about your and Da Girls travels. Ifyou ever find yourselves in Bedford PA, highly recommend the D-Day National Memorial, inspired by the book The Bedford Boys. Local boys who were part of the Omaha attack.
ReplyDeleteVi & Jeff Polk
Always enjoy reading your blog posts, Dale!
ReplyDeleteDo I have to tell you in written form, that we love your blog? No more trust in this world! (;-))
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog Dale
ReplyDeleteKeep it coming 😎