AVIATION STORY 20

F-111C A8-132 ARRIVAL AT RAAF EDINBURGH 12 AUGUST 2011

After leaving RAAF Base Amberley last Tuesday F-111C A8-132 arrived at RAAF Edinburgh on 12 August for eventual display to the general public. 5DME crew were located near the roundabout at Edinburgh Rd & Helps Rd when the aircraft passed on the back of the low-loader. It was quite an amazing sight for an arrival ‘home’.  It looked good and the sun was out for top pictures.

5DME were invited onto the Base as part of the media contingent. This enabled further pictures as the F111 came down the road on the eastern side of the air base and entering the tarmac. We had an opportunity to interview former F-111 pilots and a navigator.

Channel 7 (Adelaide), the local newspapers The Advertiser and Messenger Press were also present. We were told that after re-assembly the F-111 will be placed on public display following an official unveiling event. Its final location at RAAF Edinburgh is not known at this stage. There were many WBAG Members along the F-111’s transport route from Roseworthy to the RAAF Base so a variety of photographs were possible.

The Australian Government originally ordered the F-111 in the 1960’s and the type was eventually delivered in 1973.

Marks delivered were:
24 x F-111C in 1973; 4 x F-111A in 1982; 15 x F-111G in 1993
These aircraft were operated by No. 82 Wing which consisted of:
No. 1 Squadron (F-111C) 1973 – 2009
No. 6 Squadron (F-111C) 1973 -2010, F-111G 1993-2007\

Significance

A8-132 is historically significant to RAAF Base Edinburgh due to its extensive use as a flight trials aircraft by the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) at RAAF Base Edinburgh between 1979 and 1988. During that period, A8-132 was arguably the most important aircraft within the RAAF F-111 fleet due to its role in validating F-111 performance data and in clearing new weapons for use.

The Journey

The aircraft provided quite a spectacle travelling through Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria on its way to South Australia with its wings, horizontal stabilisers and tail fin removed to reduce the size of the aircraft for transport.

Public Display

We look forward to the official unveiling event for A8-132 as has been one of the most significant types in the RAAF inventory of aircraft in the ninety years of air force history.

Article by Nigel Daw

Photos by D2

RAAF F-111 A8-132 Returns to Edinburgh (from 5DME front page 12-8-11)

Photo by D1

5DME attended the official Media Event for the return of ex-ARDU F-111 A8-132 to RAAF base
Edinburgh. We interviewed a past F-111 flight officer and spoke with the CEO of ARDU. Edinburgh
is where F-111 A8-132 began it's life for ARDU in Australia. More pictures to be added to our gallery soon.

If you prefer YouTube try here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUoDMjc62n8

Interview only: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaEuxJG8v4s

Arrival only: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwpVbx3p9c0

The aircraft was not unloaded while we were there but the crew from Bell Heavy Haulage maneuvered the rig precisely and the Samaras crane team along with Airforce personnel lifted the wings onto dollies with precision. Hopefully, the aircraft will be reassembled over the next few weeks.

Photos by D2

Transportation of F-111C A8-132

A8-132 a retired Royal Australian Air Force F-111C has just ended a four day road trip which began on Monday 8th August 2011 at Amberley RAAF Base in Queensland. The aircraft passed through several regional towns in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia before ending its journey at the Edinburgh RAAF Base. The aircraft had its wings and tail fin removed for the journey.

F-111's were in service until the fleet was retired in December 2010 after 37 years of operation. A8-132 is to be on display at Edinburgh as of next year. A historic aircraft in its own right due to its extensive use as a flight trials aircraft by ARDU (Aircraft Research & Development Unit) at Edinburgh between 1979 and 1998. A8-132 was conceivably the most important F-111 in the fleet as it was used in the role in clearing new weapons for use.

30+ major trials were conducted by ARDU using A8-132. After its last trial in 1998 the F-111 A8-132 returned to the fleet to resume duties as a strike aircraft. The colour scheme of white lower surfaces and a camouflage upper surface provided contrast images when testing release of weapons during its time with ARDU.

A8-132 was the 8th aircraft from the production line destined for the RAAF in Australia. It arrived on 27th July 1973 and its last flight was on 24th May 2010 with over 4900 hours on the clock.

A8-132 will be reassembled over the coming weeks and will be placed on public display next year.

Article by David Hales using information supplied by Defence Public Relations.