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Old December 22nd 03, 07:39 AM
Ron
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The F-111 fleet was discarded as part of an
arms reduction deal with the former USSR


Keith


You are usually pretty accurate, but on this I will have to beg to differ.

The F-111s were not retired until the after USSR stopped existing, and I do not
think it was due to any agreements.
FB-111s were converted to F-111G, but I think those did not last that long in
the inventory. The D,E,F models continued on until 96 or so I think, followed
by EF-111 being retired around 98 I believe.

I have thought it was more because of cost, maintanance and upgrades needed for
it. I think there would have been a major systems and avionics upgrade program
for those planes if they had been kept, which I for one, which they would have
been upgraded. F-111s were probably the fastest combat aircraft the USAF ever
had, and were extremely capable.




Ron
Pilot/Wildland Firefighter