F-111s to live on in museums

Up to seven retired F-111 strike/reconnaissance aircraft will be made available to Australian aircraft museums and other historical organisations across Australia.

Minister for Defence Material Jason Clare said that following the retirement last December, there had been a lot of interest in displaying the F-111 at various locations.

The aircraft will be loaned to museums so that Defence can continue to manage the risk of potentially hazardous material in the aircraft, such as asbestos, and the aircraft on static display will be subject to a number of conditions to ensure the safe preservations of the aircraft.

These conditions include housing the aircraft in a completely enclosed facility, controlling access to the cockpit, and preventing access to wing areas and bays where there is the risk of injury.

As the aircraft were manufactured in the United States, organisations selected to display the aircraft will be subject to the approval of the US Government under the ‘International Traffic in Arms Regulations’.

Interested organisations will be asked to respond to a Request for Offer, to be released by Defence later this year.

F-111 aircraft will also be preserved RAAF Bases Amberley (two aircraft), Edinburgh, SA (one aircraft), RAAF Base Wagga NSW (one aircraft) and the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, Victoria (two aircaft)

 “The F-111 is an icon,” Mr Clare said. “It protected Australian skies for almost 40 years, thrilled crowds inQueensland and around Australia for many years, and today we are making sure that legacy is preserved for all time.

“While we will never see the famous ‘dump and burn’ again, this will ensure that we will be able to preserve these aircraft for future generations.”

Mr Clare said that he expects a lot of enquires about the jets.

“We’ve already had a lot of interest, I’ve already spoken to museums that are keen to display the F-111s. They would love the chance to have these aircraft.”