Designed to meet the combined requirements of the US Air Force and the US Navy, the F-111 Aardvark was first flown on December 21, 1964. Several versions of the F-111 were developed, but the Navy canceled its version in 1968 leaving the Air Force the F-111's sole US operator. The Aardvark was well ahead of its time, pioneering such technologies as terrain following radar, afterburning turbofans and variable sweep wings. Though it was originally conceived as a multi-role fighter, it was better suited to a role as a long-range attack aircraft. It was armed with air-to surface ordnance and was equipped to carry free-fall nuclear weapons.

Hobby Master's 1:72 scale F-111 Aardvark is a large model in this scale with many fine features, such as articulating swing wings with under-wing ordnance, configured with ball and socket mounts for secure and easy positioning. The large canopy is removable for easy viewing of the cockpit's interior and crew figures, and structural component details can be seen inside the main gear bay. The landing gear has been included as complete subassemblies for quick and easy configuration. Variants in this series include the early F-111A, the F-111C with longer wings and the EF-111A Raven with electronic warfare equipment bulge on top of the fin.

Info:    F-111A Aardvark - USAF 428th TFS, #66-0022, Takhli RTAB, Thailand, 1968