General Dynamics F-111E Ardvark - Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins, GA
Posted by: Thorny1
N 32° 35.598 W 083° 35.222
17S E 257192 N 3609155
General Dynamics F-111E Ardvark on display at the Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins, GA.
Waymark Code: WM48BJ
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 07/21/2008
Views: 18
The versatile "swing wing" F-111 entered the USAF inventory in 1967. The F-111's wings are straight for takeoffs, landing or slow speed flight, but by sweeping its wings rearward, in can exceed twice the speed of sound (Mach 2). In 1960 the Department of Defense combined the USAF's requirement for a fighter-bomber with a Navy need fir an air superiority fighter, though the Navy eventually cancelled its program. In all 566 F-111s of all series were built; 94 of them were production F-111Es.
The F-111 was a long-range, all-weather strike aircraft capable of navigating at low level to reach targets deep in enemy territory and to deliver ordinance on the target. Primarily a bomber, the F-111 featured a sweep wing varying between 16 and 72.5 degrees, with side-by-side seating for a pilot and weapons systems officer. The Warner Robins Air Logistics Center was responsible for all program and logistics support for the F-111s avionics, communications, navigation and targeting systems. The F-111E on display was delivered to the USAF in November 1970 and the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB, NM. The unit and its F-111Es moved to RAF Upper Heyford, Great Britain in 1971. This aircraft remained at Upper Heyford until it was retired in 1995 when it was flown to the Museum for display.
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): General Dynamics F-111E Ardvark
Tail Number: (S/N): 68-055
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Museum of Aviation, RAFB, Warner Robins, GA
inside / outside: outside
Other Information:: Not listed
Access restrictions: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.