F-111 Aardvark in Royal New Zealand Air Force service

[+dtmdragon 2,704]

Background (factual):

 

 

In mid 1964 Operational Requirement No. 5/Air called for a tactical combat aircraft to replace the Canberra. Specifically a long range aircraft with the primary role of counter-air/interdiction and secondary roles of close air support and air defense.

 

 

In June 1965 Wellingtons Dominion Post quoted the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Morrison as advocating the ‘super-performance’ F-111 in a story headlined ‘Air Force favours US aircraft purchase’.

 

‘The RNZAF wants the super-performance F-111 variable-wing fighter-bomber to replace its Vampire and Canberra combat jets. The Chief of Air Staff, AVG Morrison said in Wellington yesterday. He said he believed the final decision would have to be made by the end of the year. The planes would be delivered 18 months to two years after that and be operational 18 months to two years later. He expected the planes to be available for about £1.5 million each. He said the choice had narrowed to three planes: the F-111, the F-4 and the F-5. But the F-111 is easily at the top end with the flexibility of variable geometry wings and its ability to operate as a fighter or a bomber. It is the only aircraft that can replace BOTH the Canberra and the Vampire. He said yesterday he was influenced by the Australian’s choice of the F-111 and hoped to see close co-operation between the two air forces, particularly in deployment and operation of their aircraft’.

 

 

The New Zealand public, defence commentators and media supported the idea but the Chief of Defense Staff (who was a Naval Officer) and the acting Prime Minister publicly opposed the purchase and so in August 1965 the Chiefs of Staff Committee rejected the idea of acquiring long-range interdiction aircraft and agreed that close air support should be the primary role of the new combat aircraft. This would ultimately lead to the purchase of the A-4K Skyhawks in 1968.

 

 

But what if the acting Prime Minister and Chief of Defence Staff had politically supported the purchase of the F-111?.....

 

 

 

And so I give you the F-111A Aardvark in RNZAF Service 1968 to 2015:

 

 

The standard USAF production F-111A model was ordered by the RNZAF in late 1965. The Kiwi aircraft were built at the same time as the first USAF production batch with no modification or changes from the USAF A model so the aircraft did not suffer the development delays and structural problems the Australian C model Aardvarks did. Consequently the Kiwi Aardvarks were delivered on schedule towards the end of 1968 and were declared operational a year and a half later in early 1970.

 

 

Weapons purchased for use on the F-111 are the Mk 82/83/84 bombs, M61A1 weapons bay gun pod and the AIM-9E

 

 

The Kiwi Aardvarks are delivered in standard USAF SEA colors (and like the first USAF and RAAF Aadvarks the undersides are painted white) with the old RAF style New Zealand Air Force roundels. Shortly after arriving in New Zealand these are replaced with the then current RNZAF Sliver Fern Leaf roundel. These only last till the end of 1970 when the current Kiwi roundel replaces it. Squadron badges and fin stripe are now starting to appear.

 

 

F-111A Aardvark Delivery Markings 1968

 

 

F-111A Aardvark No. 75 Squadron Fern Leaf Roundels Late 1968

 

 

F-111A Aardvark No. 75 Squadron New Kiwi Roundels 1970

 

 

By 1973 the undersides of the aircraft have been re-painted black for lower visibility when operating at night.

 

 

F-111A Aardvark No. 75 Squadron 1973

 

 

During the 70's the AN/APS-109 and AN/ALQ-94 sensor/ transmitter panels on the nose are painted over and the newer style tail flashes added.

 

 

F-111A Aardvark No. 2 Squadron Late 1970's

 

 

In the mid 80's the original SEA camouflage scheme is replaced by the European 1 scheme that better suits the New Zealand environment

 

 

F-111A Aardvark No. 75 Squadron Late 1984

 

 

F-111A Aardvark No. 2 Squadron Late 1980's

 

 

In 1988 the RNZAF F-111A fleet goes through an extensive avionics upgrade and replacement of their attack and terrain following radars (TFR). At the heart of the upgrade is an enhanced ‘Pacer Strike’ upgraded that replaces the analogue Mark I avionics sweet with the modern digital equivalent including: Laser ring gyro INS, Digital stores management system, Dual mission computers, Digital flight controls, Digital ALR-66 RWR, Modern Ferranti HUD, Cockpit MFDs and Mil-Std-1553B bus interface.

 

The original AN/APQ-113 attack radar is replaced with the multi-mode AN/APG-68NZ and the AN/APQ-110 TFR system is replaced by the AN/APN-237A TFR (as used in the LANTIRN AN/AAQ-13 navigation pod.)

 

The original AN/ALE-28 countermeasure dispensers are replaced with the newer AN/ALE-47

 

Weapons capability is upgraded with the integration of the AN/AVQ-26 Pave Tack, GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided bomb, AGM-86D Harpoon ASM and AIM-9L.

 

 

The upgraded Kiwi F-111A are given the designation F-111AM.

 

 

 

 

F-111AM Aardvark No. 75 Squadron Mid 1988

 

 

F-111AM Aardvark No. 2 Squadron Mid 1990's

 

 

In 1997 a new all over green camouflage scheme in introduced.

 

 

F-111AM Aardvark No. 75 and No. 2 Composite Squadron 1997

 

 

In 2002 phase II of the 1988 mid life upgrade is under taken. The INS is upgraded with GPS, the AN/APG-68NZ is upgraded to the AN/APG-68NZ(V)9 standard with full synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capability and the ability to generate target co-ordinates for GPS weapons.

 

The aging AN/AVQ-26 Pave Tack is retired and replaced by the AN/AAQ-28 LITENING targeting pod by utilising the weapons bay ECM pod station.

 

The monochrome cockpit MFDs are upgraded with color versions.

 

A Digital Terma ALQ-213 EW Management Unit is added.

 

The Elta EL/L-8222 jamming pod is integrated as a replacement for the obsolete AN/ALQ-94 system the aircraft were delivered with.

 

The GBU-31 GPS guided bomb, GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb and AIM-120C are purchased and cleared for operational use.

 

 

The upgraded Kiwi F-111AM are given the new designation of F-111M and re-painted in a new all over tactical grey camouflage scheme.

 

 

 

 

F-111M Aardvark No. 75 and No. 2 Composite Squadron 2002

Edited September 5, 2015 by dtmdragon

[B52STRATO 215]

Awesome work !

 

I will give it new hangar screens with what if flag and coat of arms  

 

 

[Spinners 15,986]

Great work. How about an 'All Black' commemorative scheme for when New Zealand win the Rugby World Cup!