Last flight of the F-111

[tmetal]

are there any other planes that use a similar/same type of ejection system used on the F-111's?

[Dichotomy]

I was told by a program manager at General Dynamics that they used circus bears to test the early ejection system.  Not sure how true it was but it was one heck of a funny story. 

[oakranger]

INice thread Phatzo. 

I was an F-111E Crew Chief on aircraft 68-005 from 1980 to 1983 with the 20th TFW at RAF Upper Heyford UK.
They were a pain in the a** to maintain but certainly an awesome bird.

<S>

I thought you where serving in the U.S.A.F?

[phatzo]

The dump and burn video is cool  I had the pleasure of seeing this quite a few times when they ran a round of Indy cars on the Gold Coast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klTnfEjvmLE

flying through high rise buildings like that would be awsome

[Nefarious]

I thought you where serving in the U.S.A.F?

There were a few squadrons of US F-111s stationed in the UK. I have an uncle that served in the 70's working on F-111s I'll have to mention the final F-111 flight next time i see him.

He told me an interesting story of an F-111 that had some sort of landing gear failure, It may have been a training video... Any who, he told me that as the F-111 was sliding down the runway the crew had jettisoned the canopies and were riding down the runway with one leg out the cockpit ready to run as soon as the F-111 came to a stop. Can't say I blame them, but apparently it was a running joke for some time.

[rogwar]

are there any other planes that use a similar/same type of ejection system used on the F-111's?

Yes the B-1A prototypes and some older jet bombers.

[Shifty]

I thought you where serving in the U.S.A.F?

Jebus Oak... 

I was the 20th TFW at RAF Upper Heyford is USAF. The RAF owned the base we just played there. 

[Shifty]

There were a few squadrons of US F-111s stationed in the UK. I have an uncle that served in the 70's working on F-111s I'll have to mention the final F-111 flight next time i see him.

There were two Wings of 3 Squadrons each in the UK. The 20th TFW at Upper Heyford...
And that other bunch at Lakenheath. 

[oakranger]

Jebus Oak... 

I was the 20th TFW at RAF Upper Heyford is USAF. The RAF owned the base we just played there. 

LOL, sorry shifty.  Not turn in on these things with bases we are at and who it belongs to.   

[-tronski-]

How is replacing an aircraft older than most of the people flying said aircraft a "Bad bad bad stupid idea"?

A cheaper and more capable aircraft to boot?

Strip

$6 Billion on an interim aircraft that slower, which cant carry half as much, cant fly half as far, and costs more to lug that bomb load sounds like a pretty stupid idea to me...maybe the USAF should shelve their B-52's because their a bit old as well?

 Tronsky

[007Rusty]

 

[Hajo]

Sort of reminds me of the demise of the F-14.  Friend of mine flew one off the Roosevelt if memory serves.  He told me it was the best

fleet defense fighter the navy had...maybe still is.  Could engage more targets at a greater range then any fighter the Navy had

at the time.  Was politics and cost.  Guess ya lose a fleet or a cv...would the cost be greater? (shrugs)

[Shifty]

LOL, sorry shifty.  Not turn in on these things with bases we are at and who it belongs to.   

Notta problem Oak just messing with you. 

[TOMCAT21]

 .... another chapter of aviation history closes.