F-111 Aardvark - Brenham, Texas

[m715mike]

The Washington County Veterans Association cosmetically restored this F-111 Aardvark with donations from many local business and individuals in Brenham, Texas. Restoration work was completed at the Brenham airport. SS member Texasvet100 (Joe) towed the Aardvark from the airport to its new home across from the Americal Legion Hall where it will be on public display.

The pictures are from SS member texas30cal (Jason).


Joe / Jason - Awesome job guys!

 

[SETOYOTA]

That’s real cool

 

[simp5782]

I guess that memo of it being parked in my front yard to irritate my neighbors was missed?

 

[Guyfang]

What a bird!! A long time ago, they were upgraded/overhauled at Hill AFB, Utah. The logistics operation for this bird was one of my Fathers projects. When the Australian pilots showed up to fly there birds home, Rockwell always had a big bash to send them off. Often it was at our house. We were the scandal of the town of Roy. The next day, when they took off, a low pass flyby was the order of the day. Simply wonderful!

 

[Barrman]

I saw the pictures on Facebook and wondered if you were involved.

Cool.

 

[m715mike]

I saw the pictures on Facebook and wondered if you were involved.

Cool.

I experienced this adventure vicariously through Joe and Jason.

Now we need to talk Joe into towing the Aardvark to the rally next Spring!!!

 

[Karl kostman]

WOW every aspect of this picture is pure flammable art! THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!
Karl

 

[Barrman]

I agree it should be towed to the Rally!

 

[PointnShoot4WD]

What a bird!! A long time ago, they were upgraded/overhauled at Hill AFB, Utah. The logistics operation for this bird was one of my Fathers projects. When the Australian pilots showed up to fly there birds home, Rockwell always had a big bash to send them off. Often it was at our house. We were the scandal of the town of Roy. The next day, when they took off, a low pass flyby was the order of the day. Simply wonderful!

And we loved 'em until death did us part.... or inability to extend the airframe hours any longer anyways... pretty ignominious end for most of them, but a good number made it to museums over here.

Spock

 

[gtodan]

Operation El Dorado Canyon

 

[papabear]

The Washington County Veterans Association cosmetically restored this F-111 Aardvark with donations from many local business and individuals in Brenham, Texas. Restoration work was completed at the Brenham airport. SS member Texasvet100 (Joe) towed the Aardvark from the airport to its new home across from the Americal Legion Hall where it will be on public display.

The pictures are from SS member texas30cal (Jason).


Joe / Jason - Awesome job guys!



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I just HAVE to ask what type of obstacles had to be overcome to tow that rascal with the wings on?? I've done LOTS of oversize/overweight towing.....but....gosh!!!

 

[Keith_J]

I just HAVE to ask what type of obstacles had to be overcome to tow that rascal with the wings on?? I've done LOTS of oversize/overweight towing.....but....gosh!!!

Wings in supersonic config, folded all the way back. 33 foot span, give or take a few inches. Dang near doubles in landing, still svelte enough for carrier landings (bravo model)

 

[Tracer]

And we loved 'em until death did us part.... or inability to extend the airframe hours any longer anyways... pretty ignominious end for most of them, but a good number made it to museums over here.

Spock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80OadL7f8Lo And for those F-111 aircraft that didn't make it to a museum.

 

[Tracer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80OadL7f8Lo And for those F-111 aircraft that didn't make it to a museum..

 

[Guyfang]

That hurt to watch.

 

[Tracer]

Some pictures of the short nosed Navy version.

 

[Tracer]

This EF 111A Electronics Warfare Aircraft is at Silver Springs Airport in Nevada awaiting static restoration.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

Back in my other life I worked on the radar project for the F-111.

 

[texas30cal]

I just HAVE to ask what type of obstacles had to be overcome to tow that rascal with the wings on?? I've done LOTS of oversize/overweight towing.....but....gosh!!![/QUOTE

i didn’t do the towing, I only helped with wheel bearings and locating tires/wheel o-rings. Joe did the towing with the help of lots of other folks, it took most of the day to go the few miles. Joe also built the tow bar, display stands to hold the aircrafts weight once in place, and the painting. There were 4 narrow bridges to cross, 2 decent hills, and lots of trees and fence posts that had to be cut, a fence had to be taken down and a ditch filled in just to get it out of the airport. At one point they had to soap the road and slide it over with a big rotator truck bc they were going to clip a hillside with a wing.

 

[Guyfang]

Back in my other life I worked on the radar project for the F-111.

In the Air Force, or contractor?