Retired "Pig" to live at Caloundra

10 Oct 2012

Retired "Pig" to live at Caloundra

It's official -  Caloundra is to be the home of a retired  F-111 strike bomber.

Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare has announced  that six only of these iconic aircraft  will be loaned to museums and historical sites across the country to "help preserve this important part of Australias' military heritage."

This is a wonderful achievement for the dedicated band of  aviation enthusiasts who operate the Queensland Air Museum at Caloundra. 

Read more about this wonderful Sunshine Coast attraction at www.qam.com.au  Apart from the Aviation Heritage Centre at the RAAF Base Amberley, Caloundra will be the only other Queensland location where this iconic aircraft can be viewed.

Delivery  of the aircraft is expected early in 2013 and  will be yet another great reason to visit Queenslands' Sunshine Coast!

Some F-111 facts

• The aircraft was developed in the USA in the 1960's.
• Sir Robert Menzies ordered 24 of these aircraft "off the plan" in 1963. The deal was sealed at the Pentagon  on November 19th with President John F Kennedy, Australian Minister of Defence Athol Townley and US Defence Secretary Robert McNamara present. Just 3 days later President Kennedy was assassinated.
• The first 6 aircraft  arrived at Amberley in Queensland June 1st, 1973
• "The Pig" is a nickname used affectionately by air and ground crews. This refers to the aircrafts' ability to fly fast, low and "hide in the bushes"
• There is no ejection seat in the aircraft. Instead it has an "ejection cockpit" allowing both crew members to exit the aircraft in an enclosed module
• The F-111 is capable of  flying at more than twice the speed of sound with a top possible speed of 2,655km/hr
• Australia purchased it's last F-111 from America in May 1994. This aircraft  - tail number A8-272 -  featured in the flyover at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games
• The F-111's unique "dump and burn" ability has been a spectacular feature at air shows around the country. For many years this was a highlight of Brisbanes' River Fire Festival
• After 37 years of service  the RAAF retired  the F-111 in 2010. It has been replaced by the F/A-18F Super Hornet