Look out, aeroplane about!

The newly acquired F-111 in the restored WWII Bellman Hangar with wings and tail fitted. 

Image courtesy of Dr Richard Gates, Evans Head Living Museum.

On 5 August, the F-111 fighter bomber above traveled along the Pacific Highway from Ipswich, Queensland, on two super-wide trucks. It headed to the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome–an exciting acquisition for them and one that arrived under police escort in the dead of night!

The F-111 will be reassembled by specialists at its new home at the heritage-listed aerodrome and opened to the public on Sunday 25th August. 

The fighter jets, known as ‘swing-wing’ bombers can fly up to two and a half times the speed of sound and were retired from the RAAF in December last year. Australia saw 37 years of service from the planes and for many they’re a modern-day icon. Always popular at air shows for their spectacular speed and sound display, this is your chance to get up-close and personal with one.

If you are traveling up north, why not stop in and have a look at what was once Australia’s fastest and most ferocious fighter?