The RAAF’s last F-111 made its final journey from Amberley to Point Cook this week, marking an official end to the long-serving fighter’s 37-year presence in Queensland’s south-east.
F-111 A8-125 was dismantled and loaded onto a semi-trailer at RAAF Amberley on May 23, and left the base in the early hours of May 24 to begin a three day road trip to Victoria’s RAAF Point Cook Museum. Now safely at its fomal resting place, the aircraft will be reassembled by personnel of 82 wing, where it will be put on permanent display. Once reassembled, A8-125 will join F-111G A8-272 The Boneyard Wrangler on display at Point Cook’s new strike hanger.
One of eight F-111s to be preserved by the ADF, A8-125 holds a special place in the history of the Australia’s F-111 fleet, having been the first ‘C’ variant produced for the RAAF and also the first to touch down in Australia on June 1, 1973. Fittingly, A8-125 was also the last F-111 to land following the type’s farewell flight, touching down at RAAF Amberley on December 3 last year.
