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Page republished with
permission from "Max" Walker of 82 Wing TTS
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 requirement for a new air superiority
fighter, 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 first flight of the F-111A took place in December 1964,
and the first production models were delivered to the USAF in 1967. In all, 566
F-111’s of all series were built; 159 of them were pre-production and production
F-111A’s.
The “City of Graham” was the third F-111A
pre-production aircraft built. It first flew on April 30, 1965 from Carswell AFB, Fort
Worth, Texas. It accumulated a total of 564.2 flight hours during 300 test flights. Its
final flight was on December 4, 1968.
This aircraft was later used for ground training at
Sheppard AFB, Texas. In 1995, the aircraft was originally dismantled for C-5A transport to
Australia, but was trucked to Norfolk VA, and then by sea aboard HMAS Kanimbla to Sydney.
It was then transferred to HMAS Tobruk and shipped to Brisbane and finally by road to RAAF
Base Amberley. It is currently being used by 82 Wing Technical Training Section for F111
Aircraft Battle Damage Repair courses and F111 Confined Space Entry courses.
Pictures of TTS's very own F-111A, "City of
Graham".
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PIG 4 |
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Pictures of 63-9768 "City of Graham" being
prepared for it journey to Australia.
PIC 1 |
PIC 2 |
PIC 3 |
PIC 4 |
PIC 5 |
USA |
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Pictures courtesy of the US Air Force.
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PIC 2 |
PIC 3 |
PIC 4 |
PIC 5 |
PIC 6 |
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Pictures courtesy of the US Air Force.
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PIC 8 |
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