The Australian War Memorial (AWM) is to add an F-111 aircraft to its collection.
The Memorial has confirmed that a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) RF-111C aircraft, currently at the South Australian Aviation Museum, will be transferred to it collection in Canberra.
Assistant Director at the AWM, Major General Brian Dawson (Rtd) said Aircraft A8-134 was the sole surviving RF-111C that participated in missions over East Timor and had the greatest operational provenance of the preserved Australian F-111 fleet.
“This RF-111C aircraft is a major piece of Australian aviation history, which will one day be an invaluable addition to the Memorial’s displays,” Major General Dawson said.
“It will be a powerful visual demonstration to visitors of the important work of the men and women of the RAAF who supported and flew the RF-111C aircraft in theatres like East Timor, and the F-111 fleet more broadly over nearly 40 years.”
He said the AWM was working with the South Australian Aviation Museum and the RAAF to secure a replacement aircraft for South Australia.
Major General Dawson said the F-111 fleet contained supersonic tactical attack aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic strike, aerial reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
He said from 1973, A8-134 served with both No. 1 and No. 6 Squadrons in the RAAF, and in 1980, reconnaissance equipment was added to a special bay in its underbelly.
Major General Dawson said the aircraft remained in this reconnaissance role until its retirement on 3 December 2010.
The transfer will be completed by mid-2019, and after restoration the aircraft will be considered for future display in the AWM’s galleries.
