Help save the Australian F-111s from scrap pile

Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:35 am

In news i have according to USAF and RAAF contracts as per 1960-70s , the RAAF has to dispose of F-111s as scrap.

As i understand only a certain number would be allowed to be allocated to PC and maybe another museum under RAAF control - the rest would be scrap.

This contract information as i understand, unless changed very soon before retirements happens, would stop any other museum from getting a F-111 for display.

So maybe we aussies need to start a campaign to save the PIGS before they are gone...

Temora would never get to fly one either.. and id doubt the RAAF museum would either as its limitd to flying mainly props... and not jets.

Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:52 pm

I wish you guys luck in saving the aircraft.

Two years ago, there was a deal in the works to import 20,000 SLR rifles that Australia no longer required for her war reserve. Beautiful rifles.

We FAL/L1A1/SLR enthusiasts here in the US were eagerly awaiting the chance to build the demilled parts sets on semiautomatic, domestic receivers.

At the last minute, the Aussie government cancelled the sale and fed them all into the scrappers furnace. One rumor put the blame on political pressure there. darn shame.

Sun Oct 29, 2006 6:23 pm

Aside note i used to work on SLRs, nice old heavy rifle much like a M14 i guess same era.

The weapons would of not been sold i suspect due to gun laws we had in place from 1996 as we had a man shoot dead 35 people in less then 1hr, in Tasmania and that forever changed guns laws here.

Sun Oct 29, 2006 7:31 pm

interesting that the u.s. would make a sales contract proposal with that provision 35 + years ago. what were they thinking?? they certainly couldn't visualize the terrorist bull sh*t that we free nations / allies endure today!!!

Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:46 pm

the F-18 im not sure since they were built here under license.

the RAAFS Ff-111C were all built in usa in 1967 - but didnt really fly until 1972-3 due to the wing issues.

Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:36 am

tom d. friedman wrote:interesting that the u.s. would make a sales contract proposal with that provision 35 + years ago. what were they thinking?? they certainly couldn't visualize the terrorist bull sh*t that we free nations / allies endure today!!!

Nothing to do with terrorism and everything to do with economic protectionism - you don't want your allies selling off second-hand aeroplanes when you could be making those sales yourself.

Similar measures were put in place for many US arms sales, including the sale of F-4s to the UK and even the US funding of the production of NATO projects (hence why some Hunters needed US approval for disposal to new owners).