How many F-111's came for Wanaka?

[Dave Homewood]

Only one aircraft and crew was ever seen displaying on the Friday (twice), Saturday and Sunday, and I believe also on the Thursday. But how many actual aircraft came from Australia to NZ for the airshow?

Several reports and rumours said two were at Christchurch but I read a newspaper report on the internet the other day that three were in Christchurch. Did anyone actually go to Harewood to see them?

[turboNZ]

I heard that 2 came over from Oz...so dunno who's correct.

[amitch]

Three is I believe the correct answer. On Thursday one came through and was meant to refuel at Christchurch and came back and do a full display, while number two went straight to Christchurch. Number one broke and stayed on the ground. A third F-111 was then sent from Auss. By the end of the weekend, only one was still flying. This went home on Monday (?) and the other two waited for spares. I believe they have now gone.

[Dave Homewood]

Wow, that's a poor attrition rate. An Australian i was chatting with in the crowd was saying that it was becoming worrying just how often the F-111's were breaking down and/or having bits fall off. He said the same thing was happening to the F-18's too and other RAAF fleets.

[corsair67]

Hello again: back in Canberra after a wonderful holiday in Aotearoa!

Two F-111s came out to Christchurch on the 13th April (F-111A/C A8-113 and F-111C A8-142 - yes, I really am a plane-spotting nerd! ).

A8-142 had to make an emergency landing at Harewood after suffering a hydralic failure of some sort whilst coming to Christchurch on the 13th. Apparently after landing it had to be towed off the runway, but I guess that's probably because the nose-wheel steering would be one of the things effected by a failure of this kind. '142' sat at Harewood until departing sometime on the 19th April.

A8-113 flew the display flights to Wanaka (including the two 'recce' flights down to Wanaka on the 14th April). This aircraft flew out of Harewood at about 2pm on the 18th. I think this aircraft must have had an avionics problem because the groundies were spending a lot of time with tools and test equipment in the forward avionics bay and cockpit before she flew out on Tuesday.

F-111C A8-147 turned up at Harewood sometime on the 16th April, but I am not too sure when it departed.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Craig, very comprehensive answer. Well done, that piece of history is recorded here forever now.

It was great meeting you when you were in NZ. So sorry I didn't catch you and Parrotfish again in Christchurch but circumstances overtook me when i arrived back in the city.

Back to RAAF F-111's, I never used to take much notice of foreign jets, but now I am fully into the F-111. I'd like to know more about the crashes of these aircraft in NZ on exercises and visits. Haven't there been two or three crash here? One at an Ohakea airshow as i understand it. Does anyone have full details?

[corsair67]

Yep Dave, it was good to catch up in Cambridge, and I was amazed how well I felt when I got up at 8am the following morning, considering we were drinking from 3pm until midnight!

Anyway, as to the F-111s that have been destroyed while in NZ:

A8-141 crashed near Waiheke Is on 25/10/1978 after a fire broke out in the main wheel bay due to a bleed air leak into that area. The ejected crew escape module of this aircraft is now used for training, and is also taken to various airshows around the country for display.

A8-137 ran off the runway and was destroyed at Ohakea on 24/08/1979 after a double flame-out during it's takeoff run due to water ingestion (it was raining at the time). At that stage RAAF F-111s didn't have chined nose-wheel tyres which are designed to force water away from the intakes.

There of course have been several dramatic losses of F-111s in Australia too, some of which have been fatal.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks. So was that Ohakea one during an airshow or public day though? I've heard many people say they saw it happen and always assumed it was a public display. Perhaps not an airshow but the public just came out in droves to see the visitors?

[corsair67]

I don't think the Ohakea one was during a public display. Phil82 has mentioned he has some photos of the crashed F-111: hopefully we can get him to post them?

F-111s seem to attract quite a crowd wherever they go. The fence line around the military apron at Harewood seemed to be quite well attended during the times I was there.

I will post some photos of the F-111s at Harewood when I get back to work on Wednesday.

[corsair67]

Here you go.......




A8-142 being repaired by 6 SQN groundcrew in borrowed safety vests!



A8-113 heading off for another 18 minutes flight to Wanaka!

[Dave Homewood]

Wow, brilliant stuff. They look as cool on the ground as in the air.