F-111

[Splitpin]

No load, no Camo.







This airframe was the first FB-111 (67-0159) delivered to the USAF on August 30th, 1968.
She spent most of her active life as a test aircraft. When finally retired to McClellan AFB on November 15th, 1991 she had completed 927 flights and 2038.8 flight hours.

[Charl]

Cool headshot.
I read somewhere that the escape capsule could float.
This was because the USN demanded it.
Then they bailed from the programme and left the USAF with a 500lb. lump they didn't need or want!

[Naki]

It worked pretty well in the Hauraki Gulf though

[Charl]

I'd never heard of this, thanks Paul!
Having an escape module like that sounds very much like a specification approved by a bureaucrat with no insight into the true purpose of the device, however.
Only thing they missed was dancing girls and champagne.
Referenced from Airliners.net

This was the only overwater ejection involving an F-111 and the module performed as required acting as a lifeboat until help arrived

Sadly Leading Diver Gary Jensen, Royal New Zealand Navy, died in the recovery operation.

[Naki]

Strangely (considering how many RAAF F111 ejections there were) they did it again near Ohakea

[simonh]

I think that one was used for testing the Triple Plow intakes...I may be wrong.