Thread: F111 fighters stripped and scrapped

They're not telling you about the depleted uranium so you don't think it's a big deal but they know as much as you do that it is a big deal and need time to work out how to deal with it. So they mention asbestos because everyone freaks about that to take everyone's mind off the depleted uranium.

In the meantime while we've been worrying about asbestos and the government has been worrying about the uranium which doesn't exist some third world country with only enough knowledge about these things to be dangerous has stolen not only the uranium but the whole plane with plans they got from some government oversight committees website on how to hotwire a F-111 and are currently on the way to crash their dirty plane into the nearest target.

Guys,
I stopped working on the F111 in late 2009, at that time there was NO depleted uranium left on the aircraft. It had all been removed during the avionics update in the late 80's early 90's.
The fuel tanks are not an issue either, once drained and vented they're just a hole. None of the chemicals used in the early deseal program are present, the sealeant is still in there, but that wont be a problem unless someone wants to eat it. Or someone gets the reverted sealeant on them.
Yes there is asbestos in the aircraft, usually incorporated into gaskets and seals.
A large amount of the time and money spent on breaking one up is the removal of the ejection system and explosive cutting lines for this throughout the airframe and removing fluids and venting tanks and cleaning and removing exotics like beryllium.
The C models came complete with nuclear capability, the wiring was still there a few years ago, the control boxes were not.
Australia had little to do with the design of the F111 while it was being conceived and built, we did how ever specify a heavy duty under carriage and a 2 ft extension to each wing, thats what differed our C model from an A model, that and a heavy duty wing carry through box(the big bit the wings attached to). WE did have some design into the avionics upgrade and after 1995 we were the design authority for these aircraft as we were the only country still flying them.

I believe there are 9 earmarked for display, or there was when I left.

Mowog, which chopper SQN were you in, 5, 9 or 12? I did 6.5 years in 5sqn.

Cheers

Originally Posted by dhc4ever

Guys,

Mowog, which chopper SQN were you in, 5, 9 or 12? I did 6.5 years in 5sqn.

Cheers

Ok didn't know the depleted uranium had been modded out.

Venting the tanks is difficult even with the right equipment. AVTUR by itself is pretty toxic and it is the subject of an upcoming study.

Chopper world...

Started life at Canberra Rotary Wing fight at 3AD doing E Serv's on Canberra's about 2 months later the old girls were removed from service.

Went over to R4's on Chinook and Iroquois thankfully ended up full time on Iroquois R4 and only helped the chook guys when they got busy.

From there I was only one of two guys to go from 3AD to the Sinai While I was there it was mainly a 5 Sqn crew that were there. I was on the last rotation and came home on the Galaxy with our 8 birds.

From there I went to 35 Sqn and sadly was there when our Iroquois were sent to the grunts.

I was also there when we sent 4 Iroquois to PNG...

A2 509 on its way to PNG

All you RAAF types whinge about losing rotary wing aircraft to the Army but I'm SURE you would have gotten a nice backpack or bivvy as a trade !

The transfer of Rotary wing to Army was one of the dumbest things done in this country.

That's a hell of a thread tangent so.... go here....


When Rotary Wing Aircraft went from RAAF to Army

Originally Posted by drowell

There's a lot of history to these stunning aircraft. I'd give my right nut for a ride in one. I'd kill for one in my front yard!
They were on a hiding to nowhere when the SAC and USN were told to come up with a single aircraft. They deliberately put up specs that meant no single aircraft wold ever work - still the Grumman F111 did the job. The most exciting aircraft ever built.
Got to stand inside the bomb bay of one once (with a RAAF mate) before the guy with the guard dog arrived and ordered us to move away.
Gotta love the TFR.
I have a book called Flight of the Pig...a fantastic book of the history of the F111 in the RAAF.

Lol... I was a very lucky Airman who got a ride over Penang, Malaysia in 07 and i didnt have to give my right nut, however i did donate my lunch to a bag....i distincly remember that the fried rice didnt taste anywhere as good the second time.