General Dynamics F-111E Aardvark 68-0009
Originally known as the TFX (Tactical Fighter "X"), the F-111 was conceived to meet a U.S. Air Force 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. The F-111 was a long-range, all-weather strike aircraft capable of navigating at low level to reach targets. The USAF's F-111A first flew 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, 566 F-111s of all series were built; 94 were production F-111Es. Although the F-111 was unofficially referred to as the Aardvark, it did not receive the name officially until it was retired on July 27, 1996.
An interesting feature of the aircraft was its variable-geometry wings. The F-111's wings are straight for takeoffs, landings or slow speed flight; by sweeping its wings rearward, it can exceed twice the speed of sound (Mach 2). The aircraft featured side-by-side seating for a pilot and weapons systems officer. In the spring of 1968 the USAF operationally tested the F-111A in Southeast Asia with mixed success. In 1972, after correcting early problems, the USAF returned the F-111A to Southeast Asia for Operation Linebacker II, where it conducted very effective night strikes against North Vietnamese targets. The F-111E was an improved version of the F-111A.
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An interesting feature of the aircraft was its variable-geometry wings. The F-111's wings are straight for takeoffs, landings or slow speed flight; by sweeping its wings rearward, it can exceed twice the speed of sound (Mach 2). The aircraft featured side-by-side seating for a pilot and weapons systems officer. In the spring of 1968 the USAF operationally tested the F-111A in Southeast Asia with mixed success. In 1972, after correcting early problems, the USAF returned the F-111A to Southeast Asia for Operation Linebacker II, where it conducted very effective night strikes against North Vietnamese targets. The F-111E was an improved version of the F-111A.
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