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 General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is a retired supersonic, medium-range, multirole combat aircraft. Production models of the F-111 had roles that included attack (e.g. interdiction), strategic bombing (including nuclear weapons capabilities), reconnaissance and electronic warfare. The F-111 pioneered 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 become commonplace. The F-111 entered service in 1967 with the United States Air Force (USAF). The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) also ordered the F-111 and began operating the F-111C in 1973. As early as March 1968, the USAF were deploying F-111s into active combat situations; the type saw heavy use during the latter half of the Vietnam War to conduct low-level ground-attack missions, flying in excess of 4,000 combat missions while incurring only six combat losses in the theatre. The F-111s also participated in the Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) in 1991; the F-111Fs completed 3.2 successful strike missions for every unsuccessful one, better than any other U.S. strike aircraft used in the operation. Being relatively expensive to maintain amid post-Cold War budget cuts, the USAF elected to retire its F-111 fleet during the 1990s; the last F-111Fs were withdrawn in 1996 while the remaining EF-111s also departed in 1998.
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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 and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
