This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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F-111 @ Chanute is escaping the scrapman!!

Sat Dec 05, 2015 12:22 am

Good news for another airframe at the now shuttered Chanute Air Museum. www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-cou ... story.html

Re: F-111 @ Chanute is escaping the scrapman!!

Sat Dec 05, 2015 2:03 pm

Cheaper to move it than scrap it due to all the hazmat contained in the fuselage. The Aussies had to bury theirs in a dump that handles Radiological waste.

Re: F-111 @ Chanute is escaping the scrapman!!

Wed Dec 09, 2015 7:15 pm

The Australians buried some of their machines because they had been successfully sued by workers who were involved in reconditioning them years ago. A part of that was the removal of PRC - whether they had suitable protective equipment I don't know but the Australian givernment decided they didn't want to risk their machines being destroyed by mechanical means.

Re: F-111 @ Chanute is escaping the scrapman!!

Mon Dec 21, 2015 12:42 am

That's great news to save another one.

I understand the RAAF tried to donate back to the US our F111 A1-93 (Ex. USAF 63-9768) which was # 3 off the Fort Worth production line, and likely the machine that at actually was used for the official F111 roll out ceremony in late 1964.

The RAAF used it as a training aid.

Importantly,this F111 was not fitted with a crew safety ejection capsule, but rather had conventional ejection seats.

Despite it historic importance we couldn't give it away......soooo sadly it was buried.

Re: F-111 @ Chanute is escaping the scrapman!!

Mon Dec 21, 2015 4:18 pm

That's good news, as all apart from one of those stored at AMARG seem to have been scrapped now. There were well over 200 remaining when I visited there about 5 years ago.

Re: F-111 @ Chanute is escaping the scrapman!!

Tue Dec 22, 2015 12:22 am

What aircraft remain at the Chanute Air Museum that are still on the chopping block?
Any nobody wants/ or has requested?

Re: F-111 @ Chanute is escaping the scrapman!!

Tue Dec 22, 2015 6:30 am

I just emailed Curt Arseneau and asked for an update - we'll see.
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