All Wood Wings: F-111A Aardvark Model, USAF

- quality handcrafted wooden model military airplanes -

F-111 Aardvark, USAF

Home

Scale 1:48 Length 18.5" Wingspan: swept 9"/ open 17.5"
This model has variable wings.

The versatile "swing wing" F-111 entered the USAF inventory in 1967. The F-111 can exceed twice the speed of sound (Mach 2) by sweeping its wings rearward while in flight. The wings are swept forward for takeoffs, landings or slow speed flight.

Originally known as TFX (Tactical Fighter X), the F-111 was conceived to meet a USAF requirement for a new tactical fighter-bomber. In 1960 the Department of Defense combined the USAF's requirement with the Navy's need for a new air superiority fighter by launching a competition among aircraft manufacturers. General Dynamics TFX design eventually won out in 1962. The USAF version the F-111A and the Navy version was known as the F-111B.

The first flight of the F-111A took place in December 1964 and the first production aircraft were delivered to USAF squadrons in 1967. Meanwhile, the Navy's F-111B program was canceled. In all, 566 F-111's of all series were built of which 159 were F-111A's.

Crew:          Two
Length:       74 ft
Wingspan: 32 ft swept; 63 ft extended
Speed:        1,452 mph maximum, 685 mph cruise
Range:        3,632 miles
Ceiling:       57,000 ft
Armament: One 20mm M61A1 gun, plus a mix of up to 24 conventional or nuclear weapons
Engines:     Two Pratt&Whitney TF30-P-3 of 18,500 lbs thrust each with afterburner

Related Links
F-111.net