F-111C Aardvark Farewell Scheme Die-Cast Model

This F-111C participated in the final 4-ship Aardvark flight.

Participating in the final RAAF F-111 Aardvark flight during 2010, A8-129 was one of the first Aardvarks delivered to Australia in 1968. Formally accepted into service during 1973, the Aardvark remains the longest serving aircraft in RAAF history with 37 years in operation. Decorated with two-tone grey and commemorative tail art, December 2010 was the final month for A8-129 and fellow No.1 Squadron’s Aardvarks. Last aircraft in the 4-ship formation to touch down, A8-129 is now preserved within the Queensland Air Museum. 

Features:

• Authentic paint scheme, engraved panel lines, printed decals, antennas, and surface details
• Deployed or retracted landing gear
• Attachable press-fit weaponry
• Variable “sweeping” wings
• Display stand included
• Measures 12.25”l with an 11.75” wingspan at 1:72 scale
• Officially licensed

History and Specifications:
Designed with revolutionary “sweeping” variable-geometry wings, the F-111 Aardvark begun development in the 1960s as part of the TFX program. Reaching speeds up to Mach 2.2 while also taking off in less than 2000 ft, the Aardvark could tailor its flight envelope to any situation. Flying low to the ground with the help of terrain-following radar assistance, it set the record for longest supersonic flight under 1000 ft. Utilized for various bombing missions, the F-111 saw first combat in Vietnam as part of Operation Harvest Reaper and Combat Lancer in 1967 and 1968. Though praised by crews for not relying on aerial refueling or fighter coverage since it mostly flew at night or in poor weather conditions, the early F-111 fleet (6 pre-production units) was plagued with issues and half of them were lost as a result. Returning to combat in 1972, Aardvarks completed 4000 sorties with just 6 losses in Operation Linebacker in North Vietnam. Produced between 1964 and 1976, 562 aircraft were manufactured by General Dynamics.