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General Dynamics FB-111A 'Aardvark'

Description
Notes: Bomber version of F-111A.
  Manufacturer:General Dynamics
  Base model:F-111
  Designation:FB-111
  Version:A
  Nickname:Aardvark
  Designation System:U.S. Air Force
  Designation Period:1948-Present
  Basic role:Fighter
  Modified Mission:Bomber

Specifications
  Length: 73' 6" 22.4 m
  Height:17' 5.1 m
  Wingspan: 70' 21.3 m
  Wingarea: 550.0 sq ft 51.0 sq m
  Empty Weight: 47,481 lb 21,533 kg
  Gross Weight: 110,646 lb 50,179 kg
  Max Weight: 114,277 lb 51,826 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 2
  Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-7 (A/B 20,350 Lb)
  Thrust (each):10,800 lb 4,897 kg

Performance
  Cruise Speed: 151 mph 243 km/h 131 kt
  Max Speed: 1,452 mph 2,338 km/h 1,263 kt
  Climb: 23,418 ft/min 7,137 m/min
  Ceiling: 57,000 ft 17,373 m

Known serial numbers
63-9783, 67-0159 / 67-0163, 67-7192 / 67-7196, 68-0239 / 68-0292, 68-10883 / 68-10921, 69-5921 / 69-5932 , 69-6503 / 69-6514 , 70-0186 / 70-0291 , 70-0380 / 70-0444 , 71-0097 / 71-0168 , 72-0085 / 72-0098

Examples of this type may be found at
MuseumCityState
Castle Air MuseumAtwaterCalifornia
Eighth Air Force MuseumBarksdale AFBLouisiana
K.I. Sawyer AFBK.I. Sawyer AFBMichigan
Kelly Field Heritage MuseumKelly AFBTexas
March Field Air MuseumRiversideCalifornia
McClellan Aviation MuseumMcClellan AFBCalifornia
Plattsburgh AFBPlattsburgh AFBNew York
South Dakota Air and Space MuseumEllsworth AFBSouth Dakota
Strategic Air Command MuseumAshlandNebraska
Whiteman AFBWhiteman AFBMissouri
Wings Over The Rockies Aviation & Space MuseumDenverColorado

FB-111 A on display


Castle Air Museum

Eighth Air Force Museum

Kelly Field Heritage Museum

March Field Air Museum

March Field Museum

McClellan Aviation Museum

Plattsburgh AFB

South Dakota Air and Space Museum

Strategic Air Command Museum

Whiteman AFB

Wings Over The Rockies Aviation & Space Museum
 


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Jim Price
 Kilmarnock, VA
A quick check at Joe Baugers website shows that 65-5707 was scrapped April 1, 1997
09/04/2012 @ 09:59 [ref: 66602]
 KURT GIBSON
 Virginia Beach, VA
Does anyone know anything about F-111A ser# 65-5707? I have been looking for a long time for information and a picture. Any help will be appreciated.
04/23/2011 @ 21:15 [ref: 37554]
 Ronald Gray
 Lake Mary, FL
I was one of the lucky avionics/autopilot recent grads from Chanute AFB to be stationed at Pease AFB, NH back in 1970. When I arrived at Pease none of the new FB111's were on station yet. I and other U32632B's were flown TDY to Carswell AFB in Tx. to begin the learning curve on the 111's. After 60 days at Carswell we went back to Pease where we found a handfull of the 111's had been delivered. For a 19 year old kid, WHAT an experience to be given a brand new supersonic sweep wing SAC aircraft to work on and given the responsibility to keep em flying. Those first few months were a real challenge in that we relied on each others support and any experience learned from older techs. The avionics being of a new generation was by far the most challenging but most rewarding especially since General Dynamics manuals were good but a long way from perfect. Even the flight crews were learning, so sometimes we the ground crew had the advantage. Great life and proud to have been a FB111A crew member. Still miss the guys, can't say enough that we were all very close and made a hell of a team.
10/21/2010 @ 15:05 [ref: 31520]
 Tom Young
 Springfield, TN
I was stationed at Cannon 85-87..my last duty station.
I was Intergrated Avionics Component station..much enjoyed the area..especially the "Horny-Toads" FB-111 was my fav jet to work with.
09/08/2009 @ 18:38 [ref: 24439]
 Todd Blackburn
 Canton, GA
I was At Plattsburgh from 1983-86 380th AMS WCIN New guys like Pete Channing, William (hutch) Hutchinson,Kenny Coggins,JD Knotts,Kenny McMahan,Steve Wright,Don Weston,Elmer Nakasato,Walt Monroe,Mike Macintyre all great people Havent heard from many of them sense then. I was in plattsburgh in 2008 still a beautiful Place ( in the summer ).
06/30/2009 @ 11:11 [ref: 24272]
 Kevin J. McAndrew
 Geneseo, NY
I, too, was at Plattsburgh--24 December 1979 to 2 August 1982 with the 380th. I started out as assistant OIC of Job Control in December 1979 and after a quick depoyment with seven FBs to Phelps-Collins ANGB, Michigan,in June 1980, I spent the next 25 months in the BEST squadron I have ever served in--the 380th OMS. Yes, Dick Lorenz, I remember you, and I'll never forget that wonderful, catankerous, nothing-but-work yet world-beating FB--the most memorable aircraft I have had the honor of being around. It was an experience I will always remember--we had the people, the machine, and the mission and we got the job done, often under very trying circumstances. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. Our airmen were outstanding! And yes, the FB was a beast--but to most of us, she was a truly beautiful beast. Retired Major, 21 years.
04/30/2009 @ 16:22 [ref: 24138]
 Dave Brown
 Lemoore, CA
Worked the F-111D's at Cannon 79-83 and the FB-111A's at Pease AFB 83-88. Some of the best times I had in the Air Force. Very much enjoyed my time working in Bomber Phase Docks and Jamming external fuel tanks during our excersises, well at the time I didn't. Glad to see that the Australians are still flying the old girls. I keep looking to the sky hoping to see one more fly by. Remember panel 3325 the nut and bolt panel, and those lovely strakes. What a time. Have to make it up to Castle AFB museum.

03/28/2009 @ 17:00 [ref: 24035]
 Roy Dobbs
 Orlando, FL
I was stationed at Plattsburgh from '80-'88, in the FMS Electric shop. I remember the nightmare of frayed generator wiring and the resulting months of hanger work, as it was restrung. I also remember the satisfying scream of test pad runs in full AB. Good times. Recently returned to Plattsburgh after 20+ years, I was saddened by the placement of 0286 on static display at the old gate to the base, makes one's mortality really hit home.
03/12/2009 @ 00:54 [ref: 23930]
 Dick Lorenz
 Columbia, MD
I was stationed at Plattsburgh from 1978-1980 as the OMS maintenance supervisor for both the FB's and KC-135. It was probably one of the most demanding jobs I ever had but the rewards were great. The people were some of the most dedicated and professional I have ever known. I also had the honor of participating in a Red Flag exercise at Nellis with the 380th. I will never forget my time there.
07/03/2008 @ 06:29 [ref: 21750]
 Mark Zesewitz
 Colonie, NY
I was stationed at Plattsburgh from 1983-1984 and assigned to the 380th SPS. I returned in 1986 after cross training and was assigned to the 380th FMS(Fuel Cell). I worked on both the FB-111 and the KC-135 aircraft. I enjoyed both tours at Plattsburgh. I retired in 2005 as a MSgt. after 23 years.
12/07/2007 @ 06:33 [ref: 18832]

 

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