FighterControl

As the title says....

I was talking to a friend of mine in zaragoza about f-111s. They used to be a very common sight over the Spanish ranges, but also very common in Northumberland, often at silly lower levels!

Now I recall seeing images of low level ardvarks in and around the northern ranges ie Otterburn , but can I for the life of me find any now.

Is there any of you fine members have any in your archives?

I'd love to see some.

Mods feel free to move if this is not the right location.

Cheers to all in advance.

Pete

I haven't got any photos Pete, but I saw them low level regularly, especially over Dartmoor where they would often be below road level in some of the Valleys , no doubt there's a few pics out there somewhere

Their favourite hunting ground tended to be way up North, out past Macrihanish and into the HRA (Highlands Restricted Area)

During the few occasions I listened to them at Upper Heyford (EGUA) they often would receive a clearance to Flamborough Head. I have also seen them low crossing east over the A1 in the Cottesmore area I think.

Took them for granted but you could certainly feel the old car rattling as the afterburners came on at the 27 end at UH

'twas during the 1970s and early 80s they came over the southern Lakes regularly. One flight-path brought them off the north end of Morcambe Bay to pass over Potter Fell and over towards the Eden Valley. At night when flying over Cowan Head mill the odd one or two were sufficiently low that the yard lights illuminated their electrofluorescent strips making them look like Christmas trees!
I've Googled the one that came down in the Wet Sleddale area; 5th March 1975: 'UH' F-111E 68 0081.
Sorry, but I was never in a position to 'graph them, but did manage one or two crude ones of B-52s on the same route when on TDY at Marham.
Happy New Year to all members.
Roger

I did manage to find a shot of one a couple of years ago in a valley - will try and find it later and post up Pete

Darren

Edit - Found it - NOT MY IMAGE - Photographer Unknown - would love to know who shot it though - very nice

Low Level F-111 by Darren Currie, on Flickr

After some further research photographer is possibly Adrian Walker judging by some similar images found in a couple of books (remember them?)

"General Dynamics F-111 - A Comprehensive Guide" by Anthony M Thornborough - Page 111. A shot over the Lake District

"F-111 Aardvark" by Peter E Davies & Anthony M Thornborough - Pages 155 (again over the Lake District) and Page 5 of the colour photos ('Miss Liberty' down low)

Cheers all. I'm honestly struggling to find the photos that is used to see quite regularly. Even Google is struggling.

Really interested in hearing all your memories of the 'vark.

Thanks again

The location could be Dunmail Raise.
Roger

I think it’s Dunmail Raise too. I have a photo of myself in a Tonka at low level there in ‘94. I remember a bloke (can’t remember his name & it’s not on the back of the photo) that sent low level photos to the various Squadrons with place & time of the photo, from that it was easy to ascertain who was flying the aircraft in question. Taff

Been informed over on Flickr that it is almost certainly one of Adrian Walker’s images from 1992 - thanks Scott

Darren

Been informed over on Flickr that it is almost certainly one of Adrian Walker’s images from 1992 - thanks Scott

TAFFEVANS wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 31, 2018 1:59 pm

I think it’s Dunmail Raise too. I have a photo of myself in a Tonka at low level there in ‘94. I remember a bloke (can’t remember his name & it’s not on the back of the photo) that sent low level photos to the various Squadrons with place & time of the photo, from that it was easy to ascertain who was flying the aircraft in question. Taff

It also ties in with this as the photos in th aforementioned books were via Craig ‘Quizmo’ Brown one of the 48th TFW F-111 pilots

Darren

This video is pretty interesting...

A typical F111 sortie out of Upper Heyford in the early 90's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN9jU4NW9K0

The Brecon Beacons was a common route for them and also over my house!! I remember seeing them emerge through mist in my valley looking like some sort of pre-historic monster. Awesome sights.

gaviscon wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 31, 2018 6:51 pm

This video is pretty interesting...

A typical F111 sortie out of Upper Heyford in the early 90's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN9jU4NW9K0

Very nice Gaviscon!

I found a couple of good ones several years ago - will try and look them out tomorrow as got a house full at the moment

Darren

gaviscon wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 31, 2018 6:51 pm

This video is pretty interesting...

A typical F111 sortie out of Upper Heyford in the early 90's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN9jU4NW9K0

As promised - 2nd one is of the Tain Range from the cockpit - enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UMuHhrxswM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGEmKzzudTE

Don't have any pics, but a pair flying very low up Loch Ness nearly made me crash the car in July 1991. The heavily pregnant Mrs. P was very unimpressed.