Hobby Master 1/72 HA3028 F-111F Aardvark 73-0715 Central Enterprise 95 523rd TFS Crusaders RAF Fairford 1995

The General Dynamics F-111 entered service in 1967 as a medium-range aircraft designed for interdiction and tactical strikes. The F-111 was used as an all-weather attack aircraft capable of low-level penetration of enemy territory. It also could be used for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Some unique features are variable geometry wings, the 2 crew members sat side by side in an escape capsule, internal weapons bay; terrain following radar and afterburning turbofans. The USAF retired their last F-111 in 1998 but the RAAF continued to use theirs.

F-111F 73-0715 was delivered to the Flight Test Center and OT&E (operational test and evaluation) unit in 1973. In December 1979 73-0715 lost the nose wheel and circled to land. The pilot was told to go around but the tail hook caught the wire slamming the aircraft to the ground. One year later 73-0715 took part in Operation Desert Shield where a KC-135 punched a hole in it. June 1995 the 523FS "Crusaders" deployed eight F-111F's to RAF Fairford for Exercise "Central Enterprise". In October 1995 F-111F 73-0715 went to the Bone Yard and scrapped.