F111 Disposal - Article

[Sprint]

F-111 fans are outraged many of the iconic RAAF fighter jets have been dumped at a landfill site near Ipswich.
A RAAF spokesman confirmed to Ipswich News on Thursday that 23 of the planes had been dumped at the Swanbank landfill site.
The jets had been located at RAAF Base Amberley, near Ipswich, before being decommissioned late last year.
The F-111s have been replaced by the Super Hornets, with the final four being delivered from the US to Amberley with a spectacular flypast over southeast Queensland in October.
The US Government had placed tight restrictions on how the planes were be dismantled or preserved with several earmarked for museums around Australia.
Two are expected to be on show at RAAF Base Amberley at its Heritage Centre.
It's just the hulks of the planes (that were dumped),'' the RAAF spokesman said. ``They saved the ones they could.''

Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully expressed his outrage about the dumping on his FacePPRuNe page.
Fifty years of Australian history down the drain as the RAAF dumps F-111s down disused Ipswich coal mine at Swanbank,'' he posted.
Related comments included: ``What a waste! You would think these would be saved for a museum or at least if they were being thrown they should be offered for public interests.''
Another wrote: If the RAAF didn't want them, I am wondering if ICC (Ipswich City Council) were happy to take them and all the costs associated with restoration and display.''
Meanwhile, Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann has encouraged organisations to apply for one of seven F-111s left to be loaned to museums and other historical organisations.
He said Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare had released a Request for Offer for the jets.
This is a fantastic opportunity for local historical organisations to be able to display these iconic aircraft which protected our skies for nearly four decades'' Mr Neumann said.
The Australian Government is loaning the aircraft so as many Australians as possible have access to this piece of our aviation history.
The loans will be subject to a number of conditions to ensure the safe preservation of the aircraft, which are outlined in the Request for Offer.''
The RAAF spokesman said a service for all involved with the F-111s, including the families of airmen lost in crashes, will be held at the memorial garden near the front gate of RAAF Base Amberley at 9am on Friday, December 2.
For more on the offer, which closed on March 28, visit www.tenders.gov.au with reference DMOASD/Other175/2011.

RAAF Base Amberley F-111 fighter jets end up on Swanbank landfill site near Ipswich | News, events and sport for Ipswich | Courier Mail

[Mick_Marsh]

Sad.
But at least it's better than being scrapped and recycled as bottle tops.
One day, in the future, people may be digging them up for parts.

[goingbush]

I would not fret over it, Todays Junk , tomorrows resources, I bet they took the titanium out.

Alcoa probably paid to get them scrapped so as not to bring the Aluminium price down !!

When I visited Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson in 2001 there were about 100 F111 awaiting their demise, now that OZ wont be needing any more spare parts there are only 3 left, [ame="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Davis+Monthan +AFB,+Tucson,+AZ,+United+States&aq=0&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=45.125692,75.9375&vpsrc= 6&ie=UTF8&hq=Davis+Monthan+AFB,+Tucson,+AZ,+United +States&ll=32.169164,-110.856069&spn=0.001862,0.002317&t=h&z=19&cid=1609 1582438073486904&iwloc=A"]Google Maps[/ame]

Imagine what some 3rd world despot could do with these.

[cols110]

Sad, very sad all that history wasted.

Why they could not have been better used in Museums or static public displays around Australia is beyond me.

[Jojo]

...and elsewhere you get fined for throwing a beer can in the roadside ditch.

[Avion8]

I would not fret over it, Todays Junk , tomorrows resources, I bet they took the titanium out.

Alcoa probably paid to get them scrapped so as not to bring the Aluminium price down !!

When I visited Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson in 2001 there were about 100 F111 awaiting their demise, now that OZ wont be needing any more spare parts there are only 3 left, Google Maps

Imagine what some 3rd world despot could do with these.

What a tragedy. But just a small point, the google map depicts MD F4 Phantoms, not F111's. I used to be a Phantom Spey Rep on the RAF/RN versions.

Cheers Nigel

[goingbush]

What a tragedy. But just a small point, the google map depicts MD F4 Phantoms, not F111's. I used to be a Phantom Spey Rep on the RAF/RN versions.

Cheers Nigel

Correct, The last 3 F111 are in this row
[ame=http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=Davis+Monthan+AFB,+Tucson,+AZ,+United+State s&hl=en&ll=32.170844,-110.851608&spn=0.001894,0.002317&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=45.125692,75.9375&vpsrc= 6&hq=Davis+Monthan+AFB,+Tucson,+AZ,+United+States& t=h&cid=16091582438073486904&z=19&iwloc=A]Google Maps[/ame]
Must be Aussie Alley , because there are the 3 x F111 we also have a Neptune and what can only be a EE Canberra , What, I ask is a Canberra doing in USA ???
The A10 is the odd bird out in there!

[Sprint]

What a tragedy. But just a small point, the google map depicts MD F4 Phantoms, not F111's. I used to be a Phantom Spey Rep on the RAF/RN versions.

Cheers Nigel

Indeed...... wasnt going to complain, I have a soft spot a mile wide for the Phantom's

[Avion8]

Correct, The last 3 F111 are in this row
Google Maps
Must be Aussie Alley , because there are the 3 x F111 we also have a Neptune and what can only be a EE Canberra , What, I ask is a Canberra doing in USA ???
The A10 is the odd bird out in there!

Because the Americans built it (Canberra) under licence as the Martin B-57:

Martin B-57 Canberra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Another aircraft I have a soft spot for as I was also an Avon Rep - and not the perfume.

[VladTepes]

Read this, and please sign the petition,

QAM - F-111

I gather we were also offered an F4 some time back but couldn't raise the money to get it shipped here.