| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3003 General Dynamics EF-111 Raven 42nd ECS, RAF Upper Heyford, UK 1989 "LET EM EAT CROW" |
| The General Dynamics F-111 “Aardvark” 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. The first EF-111A flight took place on May 17, 1977. The 42nd ECS (Electronic Combat Squadron) of the 20th TFW located at Upper Heyford, UK received their first EF-111As in February 1984. The official name for the EF-111 aircraft was “Raven” but quite often was referred to as “Spark Vark” by the crews. The last U.S. EF-111s were retired on 2 May 1998. “Let em eat Crow” painted on aircraft 67-0034 is a reference to the EWO (Electronic Warfare Officer) who were known as “Crows”. Specifications for the General Dynamics/Grumman EF-111A Aircraft variant name – Raven First delivery to combat units - 1981 Number of F-111As converted to EF-111As by Grumman – 42 Role - electronic warfare aircraft Crew - 2 x Pilot, Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) Dimensions Length – 76 ft (23.17 m) Height – 20 ft (61. m) Wingspan – 63 ft (19.2 m) extended / 32 ft (9.74 m) swept Wing area – 657.4 ft² (61.07 m) extended / 525 ft² (48.77 m²) swept Weights Empty – 55,275 lb (25,072 kg) Loaded – 70,000 lb (31,751 kg) Max takeoff - 89.000 lb (40,370 kg) Performance Powerplant - 2 x Pratt & Whitney P&W TF30-P-3 turbofan, 10,750 lb.s.t dry and 18,500 lb.s.t with afterburning. (lb.s.t. - Pounds Static Thrust) Max speed – 1,460 mph (Mach 2.2 / 2,350 km/h) above 30,000 ft Max normal range – 2,000 mi (1,740 nmi, 3,220 km) Ferry range – 3,800 mi (3,300 nmi, 6,110 km) Service ceiling – 45,000 ft (13,715 m) ROC – 11,000 ft/min (3,353m/min) |