Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3001
General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark"
474 TFW, 429 TFS, Thailand 1972

1/72 scale pre-finished.

Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic.

Professionally painted.

All markings are pad applied for superb results.

Crew figure.

Model has variable-sweep wings that work.

Comes with display stand.

Landing gear can be displayed up or down.

Extremely sought after by collectors.

The General Dynamics F-111 entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed
for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft
capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance
and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew
members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar
and afterburning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998 but the RAAF
continued to use theirs.

When the North Vietnamese invaded South Vietnam in the spring of 1972 The 429th TFS
was the first squadron to deploy. For the 429th the deployment occurred in two phases of 12
aircraft with each phase arriving at Thailand’s Takhli RTAFB in early October 1972. During
the six months of Operations Constant Guard, Linebacker and Linebacker II that took place
from September 28, 1972 until March 1973 the 429th along with the 430th flew over 4,000
combat sorties with only six losses.

General Dynamics F-111A specifications

Crew – 2 X pilot, weapon systems officer

Performance
Engines – 2 X Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 generating 18,500 lbs. thrust each
Maximum speed – 1,452 mph   (2,336 km/h)
Cruising speed - 685 mph   (1,102 km/h)
Normal Range - 3,632 miles   (5,845 km)
Service Ceiling - 57,000 ft.   (17,373 m)

Dimensions
Length - 73.5 ft   (22.4 m)
Wingspan - 63.0 ft   (19.2 m) spread; 32.0 ft   (9.74 m) swept
Height - 17.13 ft   (5.22 m)
Wing area - 657.4 ft²   (61.07 m²) spread; 525 ft²   (48.77 m²) swept

Weight
Empty - 47,481 lb   (21,537 kg)
Loaded - 82,843 lb   (37,577 kg)
Maximum takeoff - 98,979 lb   (44,896 kg)
Armament
1 X 20mm M61A1 cannon and up to 24 conventional or nuclear weapons

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