Port Adelaide just acquired a special aircraft: a retired F-111C jet bomber capable of speeds two times greater than the speed of sound. It arrived March 15 by truck from Amberley RAAF Base near Ipswich, Queensland.
Decommissioned at the end of 2010 after a 37 year tenure, the F-111 is remembered for flamboyant displays at air shows. Pilots perform “ignited fuel dumps” that leave a blazing funnel trailing behind. John Roberts, the museum’s public relations officer, says that “people would have seen the F-111 blow fire out of its rear end and in pictures everywhere.”
The Australian government laid out plans last fall to send six of the planes to museums around the country: a boon to those museums, which will likely see increased ticket sales. The boost to tourism and museum revenue will bring in much needed funds for restoration and maintenance of other aircraft.
Over the course of the next few days, RAAF technicians will reassemble the P-111 in full view of museum visitors. Barring any delays, the jet should be on full display by Thursday.
The Aviation Museum is located at 66 Lipson St., Port Adelaide. It is open daily from 10:30 to 4:30. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4.50 for visitors under 16 years of age.
Click HERE to check out the pictures of the transportation.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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