This raw footage shows the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark performing in-flight refueling, apparently as part of tests conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The film shows the F-111 taking off, rendezvous with a tanker, and refueling approaches. It includes POV shots from inside the tanker aircraft as well as exterior footage shot by chase aircraft. The aircraft shown is tail #39773, S/N 63-9773, which we believe was the prototype F-111A aircraft. It is painted in a grey and white scheme. It's not clear when the footage dates from, but the U.S.A.F. flight test program for the aircraft ran from 1964-1973, with some delays as a result of development issues with the plane's intake. This footage likely dates to the early 1970s. This aircraft apparently still exists and is a gate guardian at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
The F-111 is a retired American supersonic, medium-range interdictor and tactical attack aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic nuclear bomber, aerial reconnaissance, and electronic-warfare aircraft in its various versions. The word "aardvark" is Afrikaans for "earthpig" and reflects the look of the long nose of the aircraft that might remind one of the nose of the aardvark. Developed in the 1960s by General Dynamics, it entered service in 1967 with the United States Air Force. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) also ordered the type and began operating F-111Cs in 1973.
The F-111 pioneered several technologies for production aircraft, including variable-sweep wings, afterburning turbofan engines, and automated terrain-following radar for low-level, high-speed flight. Its design influenced later variable-sweep wing aircraft, and some of its advanced features have since become commonplace. The F-111 suffered a variety of problems during initial development. Several of its intended roles, such as an aircraft carrier-based naval interceptor with the F-111B, failed to materialize.
USAF F-111s were retired during the 1990s with the F-111Fs in 1996 and EF-111s in 1998. The F-111 was replaced in USAF service by the F-15E Strike Eagle for medium-range precision strike missions, while the supersonic bomber role has been assumed by the B-1B Lancer. The RAAF was the last operator of the F-111, with its aircraft serving until December 2010.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit [ Ссылка ]
