Hobby Master HA3034 1/72 Air Power Series

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3034 is a 1/72 scale diecast of the F-111C Aardvark serial number A8-125 of No.6 Squadron, RAAF, with “90th Anniversary of No.6 Squadron” tail Scheme 2007.

No.6 Sqn RAAF

No. 6 Squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is an electronic attack squadron that operates the Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland.

The squadron was established in 1917 during World War I as a training unit based in England. During World War II, it served as a light bomber and maritime patrol squadron, actively participating in the New Guinea Campaign and the New Britain Campaign. The squadron operated the F-111 aircraft from 1973 until 2010.

General Dynamics F-111C Aardvark

• Country of Origin: United States (operated by Australia)
• Manufacturer: General Dynamics
• Role: Medium-range interdictor/strike, long-range reconnaissance, tactical bomber
• Main Variants:
  • F-111C (Australian unique variant: long-span wings from FB-111A, reinforced landing gear, Pave Tack pod, unique avionics)
  • RF-111C (reconnaissance conversion, RAAF)
• First Flight: 3 September 1973 (F-111C)
• Entry into Service / Withdrawal: Entered RAAF service in 1973; withdrawn from Australian frontline service in December 2010
• Crew: 2 (pilot and navigator/weapons systems officer, side by side)
• Airframe: All-metal, variable-sweep wing monoplane, side-by-side cockpit, terrain-following radar, escape capsule
• Engines:
  • 2 × Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-100 afterburning turbofans
  • Fuselage-mounted
  • Top speed: Mach 2.5 (1,650 mph, 2,655 km/h at altitude)
  • Cruise speed: ~570 mph (917 km/h)
• Armament:
  • 1 × 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan rotary cannon (internal)
  • Up to 31,500 lb (14,300 kg) of ordnance: bombs (conventional/nuclear), AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-142 Popeye, guided/unguided munitions, and external fuel tanks on pylons
• Production: 28 built for Australia (plus 4 ex-USAF F-111Gs acquired later)
• Notes:
  • F-111C combined the long-span wings of the FB-111A with the F-111A airframe for increased range and payload
  • Australia’s only supersonic strategic bomber; the backbone of RAAF strike capability for nearly 40 years
  • Noted for variable-sweep wings, high-speed low-level penetration, and a unique crew escape module
  • Nickname “Pig” in RAAF service for its ability to hunt targets at night using terrain-following radar