"A war machine that has never fired in combat" What you talking about... The F-111 took part in combat missions in Vietnam and Desert Storm... ok... maybe not with RAAF. But it is a war machine that DID fire in combat.
I’ve seen one of those at a aviation museum in Georgia. My favorite part about the airplane is it’s engines There almost as big as me. I also got to see a SR-71 black bird.
The F-111 went into American service in 1967, look at that aircraft compared to a 1967 Mustang, hard to believe they're from the same generation. Brings a tear to my eye knowing that these birds are being retired.
Australia the only nation other than the USA to operate the F111, as a strike aircraft, they were untouchable at the time. Fast, huge payload, TFR they had it all. Be nice to still have them, and to strap on a few long range, hypersonic anti ship missiles. That would give the Chinese something to think about.
"Do you realise the Australians have a bomber that can put a bomb through that window on to the table here in front of us?" - Benny Murdani, Indonesian defence minister. That's the only reason we got it. Killed more Australians than any enemy.
youre right, the F111 has a long and distinghished combat career, just not with Australia....though there was that time with Indonesia....best not talk about that...
