F-111E Aardvark - Valparaiso, FL
N 30° 28.034 W 086° 33.679
16R E 542110 N 3370642
F-111E S/N 68-0058 was one of 96 F-111E strike models built. It was last flown by the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB, FL.
Waymark Code: WMGXAE
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 04/19/2013
Views: 5
The F-111 was a long-range, all-weather strike aircraft capable of navigating at low level to reach targets deep in enemy territory and to deliver ordnance on the target. Primarily a bomber, the F-111 featured a sweep wing varying between 16 degrees and 72.5 degrees, with side-by-side seating for a pilot and weapons systems officer.
Originally known as the 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 a Navy need for a new air superiority fighter, then launched a competition among aircraft manufacturers for the final design. In 1962 General Dynamics and Boeing were selected as finalists with the General Dynamics TFX design eventually winning out. The Navy version was known as the F-111B and the USAF version the F-111A. The first flight of the F-111A took place in December 1964, and the first production models were delivered to the USAF in 1967. Meanwhile, the Navy's F-111B program was canceled. In all, 562 F-111s of all series were built; 159 of them were preproduction and production F-111As. The E model was an improved version of the F-111A.
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