FB-111A - F-111G tail numbers

Download sheet showing all AF SN# vs GD SN# (36Kb zipped pdf)
See gallery of Mini FB-111A by Chris McWilliams

Type

USAF S/N

Location/Remarks

FB-111A

67-0159

Retired to McClellan AFB CA Museum. Unusually fitted with Triple Plow I intakes instead of TP II.
Had a very nasty looking orange/white paint job, recently repainted in the 'traditional' SAC SIOP scheme. (1998).
1st image courtesy of Philippe Colin - www.FB-111A.net
2d & 3d- USAF photo via Scott White; 2nd - USAF photo via Joe Arnold
4th - late 1998 courtesy of WOFF Pete Fleming
See notes from McClellan Museum Director Mr Albert Brown
Came to SM-ALC on 3 June 1980
Used as an Engineering Flight Test Aircraft by the 2874th Test Squadron until 1987
Received the orange and white paint scheme on 6 June 1984 for conspicuity during testing
Grounded in 1987, it was used in support of the N-Ray facility and used as the prototype for F-111 bead blast and polyurethane paint
The aircraft was used to test:
1. New operational flight programs
2. Prototypes of new systems
3. New wing seals
4. Terrain following radar (TFR) humidity testing in support of the SM-ALC Blue Ribbon Panel 1n 1984
5. Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) attack radar test in 1985 and 1986
6. First Air Force Weapon System to flight test a polyamide composite - installed in the left hand translating cowl in July 1969
7. Used as photo and safety chase until grounded in 1987

As far as the Ejection Module there is no evidence that it has ever been anything more than a training exhibit.
Sincerely,Al Brown - Director - McClellan Aviation Museum

FB-111A

67-0160

Fitted with preliminary 'Double blow-in doors' design intakes. AMARC.
After decommission, the aft section was removed to be fitted onto 67-7194 in the late 1970's. The remainder was scrapped.
MASDC II AMARC www.go.to/AMARC (by Martyn Swann and Barry Fryer) shows this aircraft sold to Fritz Enterprises, Taylor, Michigan 1 Apr 97. However the aircraft was scrapped locally at the HVF West yard, Tucson, Arizona.

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FB-111A

67-0161

First FB-111A fitted with Triple Plow II intakes. Nickname 'Apple One' (Michael Valcourt)
AMARC 6 May 1991.

FB-111A
F-111G

67-0162

Nicknamed 'Nocturnal 'Mission'. AMARC 30 July 1993.
image Cedric Mitchell

FB-111A

67-0163

Nicknamed 'Moonlight Maid'. As she rests at AMARC (photo courtesy of Cedric Mitchell.) AMARC 2 July 1991.

FB-111A

67-7192

Nicknamed 'Slightly Dangerous' - Looking picture perfect (photo courtesy of Mike Kaplan.)
As she rests at AMARC(photo courtesy of Cedric Mitchell.)
AMARC 2 July 1991.

FB-111A
F-111G

67-7193

AMARC - Kept in storage for RAAF

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FB-111A
F-111G

67-7194

26 FEB 76, crashed on runway 'after landing'
(P) Capt. James N. Gabriel, 715th BMS
(R/N) Capt. Michael H. Labeau, 715th BMS
SOURCE: KPSM base paper (SEACOAST FLYER VOL. 4, No. 51 DEC 31 76) via Curt Lenz
'Fraken Vark". After sustaining major damage from a hard landing in February 1976, the aft section of FB-111A 67-160 was used to repair -7194. The aircraft returned to duties in September 1980.
AMARC 29 March 1993. Kept in storage for RAAF.

FB-111A

67-7195

AMARC - 28 May 1991.
Image courtesy of Tom Hildreth Photography, http://www.vermontel.net/~tomh/

FB-111A
F-111G

67-7196

AMARC

FB-111A

68-0239

Nicknamed 'Rough Night'.Preserved on display K.I. Sawyer AFB MI.
FB-111 68-0239 was accepted by the Air Force December 9, 1969 It was assigned to the Plattsburgh AFB. 11 July 1991 the aircraft was flown in to Kl Sawyer for static display. Aircraft from Plattsburgh AFB were on satellite alert at Kl Sawyer during the early 70's This aircraft flew 6122 hours in 22 years of service. - Image courtesy of Lani Duquette

FB-111A

68-0240

Nicknamed ' Battle Weary '
AMARC 3 July 1991. Delivered by Col Lou Buckner, the last FB-111 squadron commander at Plattsburgh AFB, NY

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FB-111A
F-111G

68-0241

AMARC 9 June 1993.

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FB-111A

68-0242

Crashed and destroyed 8 June 1983 in AZ during a Red Flag mission.
Mike Ciancio, a crew chief on the FB-111, was at Red Flag when it happened. He says; "We had launched the aircraft for the day and was waiting for their return when we got the news that one of our birds were down. The crew had ejected and were waiting for rescue. We visited the crew in the hospital and they told us that the plane caught on fire. They tried to fly it back to the base but lost all control and had to eject.

FB-111A

68-0243

380 BW Nickname and nose-art 'Net Results'. Also called 'Jungle Queen'.
Crashed and destroyed approx. 1145am 2 February 1989 at Kirby near St Johnsburg, Vermont. Plattsburgh crew of CAPT Randall S. Voorhees and CAPT Len J. Esterly Jr survived ejection.
Callsign 'HEAT 22'.
Info from news clipping..

Aircraft took off from Plattsburgh AFB at 1050hrs as part of a two ship AAR sortie off the Maine coast. After the aero plane leveled at 19 000ft, it tended to roll left. At first Voorhees thought this was due to a weight imbalance between the left and right fuel tanks, but the pilot of the other FB-111A flew behind HEAT 22 and reported the left external fuel tank (#3) was cocked 10 degrees outward. The wings were moved forward but the tank remained cocked off. Voorhees decided at 1133hrs to return to Plattsburgh and at 1140hrs declared an in flight emergency. At 1146hrs, radio contact was lost. The crew had descended to 10 000ft and flew level for about five minutes before Voorhees said he felt a jerk to the left. This was likely caused by the tank twisting out to 65 degrees. As the FB-111A plunged at an estimated 7000fpm, Voorhees shouted "Bail Out!" and pulled his ejection handle at 7 220ft. The module landed into a large Spruce tree, which penetrated the module and caused minor injuries to CAPT Voorhees' left leg.
Info from Raymund Santos and newspaper clippings via Brian Lindner.

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FB-111A
F-111G

68-0244

Nickname and nose-art 'Lucky Strike'.
As she sits in the desert AMARC -

Image courtesy of Michael Baldock

FB-111A

68-0245

Nicknamed 'Ready Teddy'.
On display at March AFB CA, after being delivered in July 1991 by Capt Nelson and Major Braun.

photo by Steve Bosang 'Gator' taken at March Field April 1999.

Also see the museums page.

FB-111A

68-0246

Delivered to the USAF 18 September 1970. Nickname 'Royal Flush' with 380th BW. Nickname 'Pistol Packin Mama' with 509th BW. Retired with 6304.7 hours. (info from Don Logan's F-111 Aardvark reference book.) AMARC 1 July 1991.(image courtesy of Cedric Mitchell) Module and forward equipment bay cut from the hulk delivered to Amberley in 1996. Insignia on module is SAC crest on right side and 380th Bomb Wing on left side.

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FB-111A
F-111G

68-0247

Delivered to the USAF on 30 September 1970. Assigned to the 393rd BS, 509th BW.
Nickname 'Missouri Miss' with 380th BW.
Nickname 'Fort Worth Gal' with 509th BW.(info from Don Logan's F-111 Aardvark reference book.)
Cedric Mitchell (long timer at SM-ALC McClellan AFB) says...
"FB-111 tail no. 247 was the "kit proof" aircraft for FB AMP (Avionics Modernization Program) and it became the IOT&E (Initial Operational Test and Evaluation) aircraft which flew here at McClellan as the Flight Test
aircraft for FB AMP." At AMARC (image courtesy of Cedric Mitchell) Instrumented F-111G. Spent it's last flying years at McClellan AFB. Arrived at AMARC on 29 December 1993. Wears McClellan AFB tailcode of SM. Aardvark reference book.) Tail painted for a UK 'Tiger Meet' in 1978.
1st image via Adriaan de Graaff , 2nd image Cedric Mitchell

FB-111A

68-0248

Nicknamed 'Free For All'. - On display at Ellsworth AFB SD 9 July 1991.

FB-111A

68-0249

Nickname and nose-art 'Little Joe'.
Last FB-111A to arrive at AMARC (10 July 1991). Crewed by Col J.P. Malandrino and Capt Mark McCausland.

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FB-111A

68-0250

Nickname and nose-art 'Silver Lady'. -Image via Adriaan de Graaff
AMARC 3 July 1991

FB-111A

68-0251

Nickname and nose-art 'Shy-Chi Baby'.
AMARC 1 July 1991.

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FB-111A
F-111G

68-0252

Nicknamed 'Sleepy Time Gal' and 'Six Bits'..
AMARC 6 August 1991.

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FB-111A

68-0253

Crashed and destroyed (7) 8 October 1970 at Carswell AFB (Ben Marselis, Mike Vogel).
Killed were LT COL Robert S. Montgomery and LT COL Charles G. Robinson after a malfuction of the ejection system.

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FB-111A
F-111G

68-0254

Fitted with SFDR; - From J D Bayless MSgt, USAF (Retired), The photos of FB-111A 68-0254 show its arrival at Edwards AFB from General Dynamics in the summer of 1989. The second photo shows an A-7 in the background that provided chase support during the ferry flight from Ft. Worth, Texas. The aircraft was the test bed for the new Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) and was subjected to substantial flight dynamics testing to verify the integrity of the DFCS. I had the honor of being a member of the Combined Test Force at Edwards AFB and spent a lot of time performing repairs and ground tests to keep this aircraft in the air. At one point of the test program, we removed the # 5 section of the flaps and slats and shortened the wing tip to simulate flight dynamics of the "short wing" F-111. 68-0254 and the DFCS program was transferred to McClellan AFB in 1990. As a final note, DFCS gave a female voice to this lady of the skies.
AMARC 28 February 1993.-
Image courtesy of Mike Kaplan

FB-111A
F-111G

68-0255

Nicknamed 'Sleepy Time Gal'. - AMARC 23 September 1992.(Cedric-Mitchell)

FB-111A

68-0256

AMARC 9 July 1991.

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FB-111A
F-111G

68-0257

Nicknamed 'Maid in the USA'. - AMARC

FB-111A

68-0258

AMARC 3 July 1991.

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FB-111A
F-111G

68-0259
A8-259

Now set aside for spare parts never to fly again - 82 Wing RAAF Amberley.
Image courtesy of Tom Hildreth Photography, http://www.vermontel.net/~tomh/

FB-111A
F-111G

68-0260

Nicknamed 'SNAFU'. - 380th-BW-529-BS - image via Adriaan de Graaff

AMARC.- Kept in storage for RAAF.(?)

FB-111A

68-0261

Crashed and destroyed 18th September 1979 at Nellis Ranges. - see memorial page for details

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FB-111A

68-0262

Nicknamed 'Lady Luck'.
AMARC 9 July 1991.

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FB-111A

68-0263

Crashed and destroyed 30 January 1981 Portsmouth NH. (Ron VanDerWarker)
1st image courtesy of Tom Hildreth Photography, http://www.vermontel.net/~tomh/

2nd image courtesy of Jack Goterch
Module now in storage at the USAF Museum - March 2006

FB-111A
F-111G

68-0264
A8-264

Arrived at Amberley on 11 Feb 94 - Previously named "Jesebelle" FB-111A 380th Bomb Wing SAC Plattsburg AFB.
Named after 380th Bomb Group WWII B24 (42-72953) - 82 Wing RAAF Amberley.

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FB-111A
F-111G

68-0265
A8-265

Arrived at Amberley on 24th Sep 93
Previously named "Angel in de Skies" FB-111A 380th Bomb Wing SAC Plattsburg AFB.
Named after 380th Bomb Group WWII B24 (42-73464) then coverted to TAC 27th TFW F-111G
Also nicknamed 'Net Results'.

82 Wing RAAF Amberley.
1st photo courtesy of Mike Kaplan

FB-111A

68-0266

Crashed and destroyed 14 February 1977 New Hampshire. (Ron VanDerWarker). Killed were CAPT Edward R. Riley and CAPT Jeremiah E. Sheehan (Doc Servo)

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FB-111A

68-0267

Retired from Plattsburgh AFB's 380BMW on July 10, 1991 and flown to Offutt Air museum by pilot Capt Shaun Sorensen, USAF(Sep) and WSO Maj Mike Stephenson. Nicknamed "Black Widow" it has recently been moved to the new and improved SAC Museum. (Shaun Sorensen)

Image via Adriaan de Graaff

FB-111A

68-0268

Crashed and destroyed off the coast of Maine abeam Jonesport during night/weather entry to a scheduled low level route. The aircraft lay in about 100 feet of water. (Maj Ed MacNeil USAF (Ret.))
Killed were MAJ Thomas M. Mullen and CAPT Gary A. Davis (Doc Servo)

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FB-111A

68-0269

Nickname and nose-art 'Sad Sack'.
Images by Brent Gagne 1990.

AMARC 9 July 1991.

FB-111A
F-111G

68-0270
A8-270

Arrived at Amberley on 24 Sep 93
Christened 'Louise' by legendary Pig aviator 'RICKO'
Previously named "FULL HOUSE" FB-111A 509th Bomb Wing SAC Pease AFB.
Named after 509th Composite Group WWII B29 (44-27298) which flew as weather plane on Hiroshima bomb mission. - 82 Wing RAAF Amberley. - image from Mike Kaplan

FB-111A
F-111G

68-0271
A8-271

Arrived at Amberley on 14 Jan 94.
82 Wing RAAF Amberley.
Performed Olympics Dump and Burn over Sydney Harbour Bridge 1 Oct 2000 (mpeg here)

FB-111A
F-111G

68-0272
A8-272

Previously named "WILD HARE" FB-111A 509th Bomb Wing Pease AFB.
Also nicknamed 'Net Results'. - Cedric Mitchell (long timer at SM-ALC McClellan AFB) says...I don't think to many people realize this but FB-111 tail no. 272 was the first FB to roll off the mod line here at McClellan. SAC had an OT&E Test Team set up here at McClellan, of which I was part of, to do "Operational Test and Evaluation" of the FB AMP. We tested the FB to ensure it work okay for SAC under SAC conditions. As part of the OT&E testing, this aircraft flew a 13 hour mission up over the polar region and back, non-stop as a simulated mission. We also did a "live" SRAM launch with this aircraft, obviously the warhead was removed but everything was completely operational. The aircraft launched from here and flew to the White Sands missile range where it dropped the missile and it preformed flawlessly. I spent several hundred hours in the cockpit of this aircraft doing maintenance checkouts and verification of the contractors Technical Data.
AMARC 23 September 1992. "Boneyard Wrangler" Arrived at Amberley on 10 May 94. Flown by Group Captain Dave Dunlop and Flight Lieutenant Dave Riddel from SM-ALC to Amberley. (source Air Fan magazine) Article republished with permission here.
The first F-111 to be recovered to flying condition and take-off from AMARC.
This aeroplane has special tail art.
For the scale modellers out there, 'Aussie Decals' has produced a 1/48 and 1/72 scale decal sheets with the 'Boneyard Wrangler' tail art.
82 Wing RAAF Amberley.
Performed Olympics Dump and Burn over Sydney Stadium 1 Oct 2000 (mpeg here)

FB-111A
F-111G

68-273

AMARC 22 May 1991.- image via Adriaan de Graaff - in original FB-111A configuration
MASDC II AMARC www.go.to/AMARC (by Martyn Swann and Barry Fryer) shows this aircraft sold to Fritz Enterprises, Taylor, Michigan 1 Apr 97. However the aircraft was scrapped locally at the HVF West yard, Tucson, Arizona.

FB-111A
F-111G

68-274
A8-274

As a FB-111A, 68-0274 was delivered to the USAF on 8 December 1970. The aircraft was assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing ("Laggin Dragon") the 380th Bomb Wing and Det 3 , 431st TES at McClellan AFB.
The F-111G had a total of 6056.3 USAF flight hours when sold to Australia as A8-274.
(info from Don Logan's F-111 Aardvark reference book.)
1st image via Adriaan de Graaff
2d image ciurtesy of Lenn Bayliss
Arrived at Amberley on 6 December 1993.
Nick Named ' Missouri Miss' by SAC
See the dedicated 68-0274 / A8-274 page here.
82 Wing RAAF Amberley.

FB-111A

68-0275

On display at Kelly AFB TX.
Aircraft has TAC paint scheme ??

Image courtesy of Jeffery Zeitvogel - late 2003

FB-111A
F-111G

68-0276

AMARC 22 May 1991. - MASDC II AMARC www.go.to/AMARC (by Martyn Swann and Barry Fryer) shows this aircraft sold to Fritz Enterprises, Taylor, Michigan 1 Apr 97. However the aircraft was scrapped locally at the HVF West yard, Tucson, Arizona.
2nd image 380th BW, 1979

FB-111A
F-111G

68-0277
A8-277

Arrived at Amberley on 25 Mar 94
Previously named "DOUBLE TROUBLE" FB-111A 380th Bomb Wing SAC Plattsburg AFB.
Named after 380th Bomb Group WWII B24.
Double Trouble pencil noseart via Terry Ross.

Precautionary cable engagement 1999.Note the lowered hook.(photo David Riddel)
2nd image Lenn Bayliss

FB-111A
F-111G

68-0278
A8-278

Arrived at Amberley on 10 May 94
Previously named "A WING AN'10 PRAYERS" FB-111A 380th Bomb Wing SAC Plattsburg AFB.
Named after 380th Bomb Group WWII B24 (44-42378).
Suffered a main gear collapse in the arrestor cable at Cannon AFB on landing with an unsafe gear indication in April 1993. Repaired and later sold to Australia.
82 Wing RAAF Amberley.
1st image courtesy of Mike Kaplan
2nd image 380th BW 1976.

FB-111A

68-0279

Crashed and destroyed 30 July 1980 Canada.
Crashed at night near a logging camp. Crew survived ejection -
capsule landed upright on a lake amongst a group of logs. (Ryan Piper)

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FB-111A

68-0280

Crashed and destroyed. Collided with 69-6505 on route 'Busy Road Mike'. (Micheal Valcourt) / on 3 February 1975.
The two 380th BW aircraft departed Plattsburgh AFB at approx. 2200hrs and collided at approx 2230hrs near Londonderry VT. The two FB-111As were on a routine AAR / low level nav mission Collision occured befor the refueling began. The four crew members involved all survived the ejections and landed on 'Magic Mountain'. They were CAPTS Larry L. McMaster, Donald G. Vann, John E. Hockenberger and 1LT James D. Kotton. (source - numerous newspaper clippings via Brian Lindner)
Incorrectly reported to have survived the collision and been repaired in the GD 'Phoenix Line'.

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FB-111A
F-111G

68-0281
A8-281

Arrived at Amberley on 6 Dec 93.(photos courtesy of Mike Kaplan.)
82 Wing RAAF Amberley.
Flew ARDU test flight programme with P&W TF30 P108 hybrid engines from Amberley in August 1998. First P107/P108 test flight crewed by FLTLT's A. Figtree (ARDU) and D. Riddel (6SQN). The following week saw the first P108/P108 test flight. Crewed by FLTLT A. Figtree (ARDU) and SQNLDR C. Miller (6SQN).

FB-111A
F-111G

68-0282
A8-282

Arrived at Amberley on 25 Mar 94
Previously named "DREAM GAL" FB-111A 380th Bomb Wing SAC Plattsburg AFB
Won at least five Fairchild Trophies (bombing competion SAC)
Ron Enriquez - they had us load and drop the B-77 "Dial A Bomb" Oct 10 1977.
82 Wing RAAF Amberley.

FB-111A

68-0283

Crashed and destroyed 8 January 1972

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FB-111A

68-0284

On display at Barksdale AFB LA.
Delivered by LTC (now RET) Hank Williamson and Capt Barry Marquart 'CODE ONE' on 10 July 1991. (source: LTC(RET) Hank Williamson.) Nicknamed Laggin Dragon, also named Next Objective. (Ronny Edmonson)

There is a module on display at Barksdale AFB Museum with AF Serial No. 680284 painted on it's left side.
This module is actually from F-111E 68-019, but was reconfigured by the museum as an FB-111A for display. Images at the museums page. (Mike Kaplan)

1st image - Full re-spray painted in original colours during September 2004 by Mike Kaplan & with some assistance from a few friends - see gallery

3rd image via Adriaan de graaff

FB-111A

68-0285

Crashed and destroyed.
Crashed in a river in Maine. (Ryan Piper)
Ashland Maine; "Capt. John D. Miller and Capt. John Blewitt Jr., both are assigned to the 4007th CCTS. "Miller and Blewitt, both pilots, parachuted into a remote area about seven miles west of Ashland. The plane crashed 10 miles southwest of Ashland in heavily wooded Township 10, Range 6". INFO from microfilm copy from Portsmouth Herald (29 OCT 77) via Portsmouth Public Library (Curt Lenz)
(info from Don Logan's F-111 Aardvark reference book.) 380th BMW crashed on 28 OCT 77 at Ashland Range, Maine.

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FB-111A

68-0286

Nickname and nose-art 'SAC Time'.
Aardvark on a stick. Plattsburgh AFB. Seen preserved in July 1994 (Ben Marselis).
1st & 2nd images courtesy of Mike Kaplan.
3rd image copyright by Jukka Huppunen - 68-0286-Fairford-July-22-1989

FB-111A

68-0287

First production AMP FB-111A (-247 was prototype). Pete Doe (aka Squatswitch) says; AMP 68-287 was flown in to Pease AFB by Gen Searock and landed Code 1 (at least that's what was relayed to the ARC, the Aircraft Readiness Center. I know because I was Noah (maintenance control officer). That's Noah for I knowa nuthin'!!.) Ex Lowary AFB 6 May 1991 (stores loading trainer) , now Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum Denver

FB-111A

68-0288

Nickname and nose-art 'Peace Offering', also 'Angel In De Skies'.
AMARC 3 July 1991.

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FB-111A
F-111G

68-289

Nickname and nose-art 'Queen Hi'.
AMARC 9 May 1991.
MASDC II AMARC www.go.to/AMARC (by Martyn Swann and Barry Fryer) shows this aircraft sold to Fritz Enterprises, Taylor, Michigan 1 Apr 97. However the aircraft was scrapped locally at the HVF West yard, Tucson, Arizona.

FB-111A

68-0290

Crashed and destroyed 23 December 1975, in the area of Maine, about 45mins after takeoff. Pilot Capt. Bob Pavelko and Nav. Capt. Mike Sprenger. As Mike Sprenger says to F-111.net:
The right engine threw a fan blade into the saddle fuel tank which leaked down the back bone. It caught fire and burned through the hydraulic system. We ultimately got a hard over rudder and had to eject close to Bangor, Maine.(Additional info from Jim Gramstad, the ACC for -290's last mission.)

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FB-111A /
F-111G

68-0291
A8-291

Arrived at Amberley on 22 Oct 93
First RAAF F-111 to complete R5 (PDM) at SM-ALC McClellan AFB CA (July 1996).
Nose wheel collapse incident whilst being towed in 1996 (Reference 'Air Force Today')
1st image -Last known photo of A8-291(photo by David Riddel)
Aircraft seen here on the tarmac at RAAF Darwin enroute to RMAF Butterworth.

jungle-grp.gif (18616 bytes)
Also refer to the
Shorty and Nige MEMORIAL.

Tragically lost on the night of 18 April 1999 with the loss of the crew FLTLT Anthony 'Shorty' Short and SQNLDR Stephen 'Nige' Hobbs. The aircraft was lead of a two ship maritime strike against a flotilla of British Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy and Republic of Singapore warships in the South China Sea during a Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA) Integrated Air Defence Exercise. The aircraft impacted a small island about 50nm off the Malaysian peninsula. The highly experienced crew, Shorty with over 1000hrs F-111 and a graduate (and DUX) of the USN Test Pilot Course; and Nige the XO (second in command) of 6 SQN with over 1000 hrs F-111 and RAF Tornado; are sorely missed.

The ABC program "Australian Story" did a program about the loss of FLTLT Anthony 'Shorty' Short and SQNLDR Stephen 'Nige' Hobbs & A8-291. The program was excellent film production, a very fitting & proper tribute with interviews with the family & others associated (program produced by Geoff Watson)

FB-111A Louis Fiore

Lenn Bayliss

FB-111A

68-0292

Nicknamed 'Liberty Belle' and 'Liquidator'. AMARC 6 June 1991.
No longer appears on AMARC registry and probably destroyed (2001).

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FB-111A
F-111G

69-6503

AMARC 22 May 1991.

FB-111A
F-111G

69-6504

AMARC 13 May 1991.

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FB-111A

69-6505

Crashed and destroyed. Collided with 68-280 on route 'Busy Road Mike' Vermont 3 February 1975. (source: Micheal Valcourt & Doc Servo) The two 380th BW aircraft departed Plattsburgh AFB at approx. 2200hrs and collided at approx 2230hrs near Londonderry VT. The two FB-111As were on a routine AAR / low level nav mission Collision occured befor the refueling began. The four crew members involved all survived the ejections and landed on 'Magic Mountain'. They were CAPTS Larry L. McMaster, Donald G. Vann, John E. Hockenberger and 1LT James D. Kotton. (source - numerous newspaper clippings via Brian Lindner)

FB-111A
F-111G

69-6506
A8-506

82 Wing RAAF Amberley.

FB-111A

69-6507

Nicknamed 'Madame Queen'.
Castle AFB Museum.

FB-111A
F-111G

69-6508

The following is a mishap that happened near Plattsburgh, NY in the early 70's while 508 was assigned to the 380th Bomb Wing.
As the story goes - It was a snowy, blustery evening. The ACC was on final approach and having problems visually acquiring the runway at Plattsburgh AFB when finally he told the tower he had the runway in sight. The aircraft touched down and rolled to a very bumpy sudden stop.
Unfortunately, he had not only landed on the wrong runway, he landed at the wrong airport. He had landed and rolled off the end of a 5,000 ft runway at a small deserted airport five miles from the base.
The second part of the story may or may not be true. Can anyone out there confirm this? Once the aircraft came to a stop the ACC climbed out walked two miles to the other side of the airport and a pay phone. There he called the Plattsburgh tower to let them know what happened. Unfortunately, the sergeant answering the phone said, "I can't help you now we have a missing aircraft" and hung up! It was the ACC's last dime. After this
incident it was common for aircrew to find dimes taped to the instrument panel, just in case! 508 was partially dismantled, put on a flatbed truck and driven back to the base. It was soon flying again. (Ryan Piper)
NS_DWillouBEE[@]aol.com says:
It was not snowing, A/C lost cockpit lighting on instrument panel and elected to return ASAP. He did land at Clinton County Airport, which is real close to the now closed Plattsburgh AFB. There was damage to front landing gear and had to be trailered back to base and get repaired. There was a lot of work required to manually sweep the wings back using a speed wrench. The story about the dime is true to my knowledge as is the dime taped to the dash.
AMARC 4 June 1991.

FB-111A
F-111G

69-6509

Static display at Whiteman AFB MO. Named 'The Spirit Of The Seacoast' and carries the original nose art that it had at Pease AFB in the late 1980's. It also has the name of the last Wing Commander at Pease listed as the pilot, but the New Hampshire 'Old Man in the Mountain' tail flash is missing. (Info Dean Hinther)

FB-111A
F-111G

69-6510

Nicknamed 'Sleepy Time Gal'. AMARC 9 May 1991. - MASDC II AMARC www.go.to/AMARC (by Martyn Swann and Barry Fryer) shows this aircraft sold to Fritz Enterprises, Taylor, Michigan 1 Apr 97. However the aircraft was scrapped locally at the HVF West yard, Tucson, Arizona.

FB-111A

69-6511

Crashed and destroyed 7 June 1976 Vermont. (Doc Servo)
Crashed shortly after noon into swampy land near New Haven, 45 miles southeast of Plattsburgh AFB. The crew were completing a three hour AAR and low level nav when they lost control of the aircraft at 13 000ft. CAPTs Raymond T. Wilson and Richard L. Bernardi survived the ejection. (source - newspaper clippings via Brian Lindher).
Wreckage is still at the crash site. (Nov 1999 - Brian Lindner)

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FB-111A
F-111G

69-6512
A8-512

Nicknamed 'Royal Flush'.
82 Wing RAAF Amberley.

FB-111A

69-6513

AMARC 1 July 1991.
509 BW - at RAF Fairford 27.7.89

image courtesy of Robs Kawasaki website

FB-111A
F-111G

69-6514
A8-514

FB-111A 69-6514 based at Pease AFB in the late 80s had the nose art "Double Trouble".
Named after: Double Trouble, B-24H 42-52177, 453rd.BG (H), 733rd.BS, Old Buckenham (2 Dec 1943 - 9 May 1945) (Ron Vanderwarker)
Arrived at Amberley on 11 Feb 94.
First Digital Flight Control System (DFCS) modified F-111G.
First flight in DFCS configuration 1323hrs Friday 6 November 1998.
Flown by FLTLT's A. Short and D. Riddel of 6SQN on 'loan' to ARDU.
82 Wing RAAF Amberley.

The base closed at 2400L, 31 March 91. LtCol Harry Mandros was the base commander. I was his deputy. At the stroke of midnight, I directed the detail NCOIC to "Strike the Colors; the base is closed." The flag was lowered for the last time, folded, and presented to me. Salutes were rendered. I did an about face and presented the flag to Col Mandros. At 0007L, it was over. The flag was sent to SAC HQ. Where it went from there, I do not know. The flag I have is the second last flag to fly from that flag pole, flying from about 2315L to about 2345L, when it was replaced by THE last flag to fly from there. There was a small group of people there, about 50-60 who witnessed the event.
I recall going down to central security control about 2300 and saying good bye to the guys. They asked me what do we do at midnight? I told them that they should turn out the lights, vacate the place, and close the doors behind them. I will never be able to erase the looks I received from my statement. You would have thought I told them to desert their Mom and Dad. Kids just could not believe it. I had no trouble believing it. This was my second one (Perrin AFB, TX was the first). Thank the Lord I retired on 01 June 91. I could never do that again.
Some place in the refuse of paperwork from my career, I have a list of departure dates and time for the jets. The last FB-111 to lift off from the base was 69-6510 preceded by a few seconds by 69-6509 with Gen Searock in the left seat. The last KC-135A that left was to leave in the AM on the day of departure but had problems and left at 1315L that same day. Again, some where I have all the times. The only other FB-111 I saw after that (not to say there were not others) was two weeks to the day -510 lifted off. An FB from Brand Z (that's the 380th - And it was "Z" because they didn't qualify for "X" or "Y".) made one pass overhead and departed the area.

As for the ACE det, well, I recall their departure but not the date time group. I think that's when it finally started to sink in that the base's days were numbered.
Cheers!! - Pete Doe (aka "Squatswitch")

Visit Philippe Colin's FB-111A Switchblade
For comprehensive & highly detailed info and images of the
FB-111A and F-111G. - http://www.FB-111A.net

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Thanks to Paul Abadesso, Joe Arnold, Col Lou Buckner, Dan Church, Philippe Colin, Steve Davies, Phil Dunlop, Ronny Edmonson, Jim Gramstad, Doc, Steve Kell, Curtis Lenz, Brian Lindner, Ed MacNeil, Ben Marselis, Cedric Mitchell, Ryan Piper, Raymund Santos, Paul Simpson, Shaun Sorensen, Keith Synder, Bill Thurley, Micheal Valcourt, Ron VanDerWarker, Mike Vogel, LTC(RET) Hank Williamson and Jeff Zeitvogel.