Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA3028
F-111F Aardvark "Central Enterprise 95"
73-0715, 523rd TFS "Crusaders",
RAF Fairford, 1995

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.

F-111F 73-0715 was delivered to the Flight Test Center and OT&E (operational test and
evaluation) unit in 1973. In December 1979 73-0715 lost the nose wheel and circled to land.
The pilot was told to go around but the tail hook caught the wire slamming the aircraft to the
ground. One year later 73-0715 took part in Operation Desert Shield where a KC-135
punched a hole in it. June 1995 the 523FS "Crusaders" deployed eight F-111F's to RAF
Fairford for Exercise "Central Enterprise". In October 1995 F-111F 73-0715 went to the Bone
Yard and scrapped.

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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