EF-111A
66-047
Last updated 19 October 1999
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EF-111A 66-047
was a testbed for the System
Improvement Program (SIP), an upgrade to the aircraft's jamming subsystem. From 1993-1996
it was stationed at Eglin AFB where it underwent extensive flight testing to validate the
program. Although the upgrades significantly enhanced the aircraft's jamming capabilities,
the program was scrapped when the announcement came that the EFs would be retired. The
last time it flew was in June 1996 from Eglin to Cannon. It was used exclusively as a
trainer for maintenance personnel. (Jeff Sloan)
The pictures below were taken
in November 1998, and show the aircraft in a very poor state. Some parts were used
to produce the display module at Barksdale AFB (Mike Kaplan)
66-047 derelict at
Cannon AFB.
Images supplied by Jeff
Zeitvogel.
Update Final Fate for
EF-111A 66-047
John Book
says...
Went out to Cannon AFB on 5 April 1999
to enquire on availability of EF-111 66-0047 for a museum. Regretfully, aircraft had just
left the base, sold for scrap throught the base Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office
(DRMO). Also found out aircraft had been used for Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR)
training . Usually when this happens, what's left is of little value for display due to
mega paches and holes. Didn't find out what company actually bought it.
J.B.
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Walt
Witherspoon adds (April 1999)...
I live in Lancaster CA, and was out
near Mojave airport today doing some crash site hunting. My Dad told me this week
that what he's sure was a 111 showed up in a lot near Mojave. I checked the lot and
I found EF-111A 66-0047 there. It's in bad shape, with what looks like axe cuts in
the skin and chopped off hydro lines and wiring but all major components are there except
engines, canopy, and seats. Numerous details are missing like small radomes, various
panels, etc. Supposedly the owner of the lot is going to set up a small museum at
the site. The bird still wears the the 46th Test Wing patches from Eglin, with tail
code MTF.
(Lets hope a museum is forthcoming to preserve this aircraft - webmaster)
Images provided by Walt
Witherspoon. |
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