RF-111C

MEMORIAL HIGHLIGHT

General Dynamics RF-111C, A8-134

Strike/Reconnaissance Aircraft, East Timor

The General Dynamics RF-111C is an all-weather supersonic attack and reconnaissance aircraft that served with the Royal Australian Air Force. The A8-134 was one of the original 24 RF-111C aircraft purchased by Australia.

Now in the Australian War Memorial's National Collection, it represents the RAAF’s technological advancements and contributions to modern aerial reconnaissance.

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Official handover

View images from the official handover event between the RAAF and the Australian War Memorial, 30 May 2019.

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In the National Collection

The RF-111C, A8-134, has been preserved in the Australian War Memorial's National Collection.

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About the F/A-18A Hornet

Type: Strike/Reconnaissance aircraft

Make: General Dynamics

Model: RF-111C

Serial number: A8-134

Squadron code: -

Call sign: -

Service: 1 and 6 Squadrons, Royal Australian Air Force

Conflict: East Timor

Missions: Aerial reconnaissance over East Timor, 5-9 November 1999

1968: Built (strike aircraft)

1973: Acquired by RAAF

1980: Modified (reconnaissance aircraft)

1999-2010: Military service

2010: Retired

2012-13: Loaned to South Australian Aviation Museum

2019: Acquired by the Australian War Memorial (AWM2019.549.1)

The General Dynamics RF-111C is an all-weather supersonic attack and reconnaissance aircraft that served with the Royal Australian Air Force. The A8- 134 was one of the original 24 RF-111C aircraft purchased by Australia, and served with both 1 and 6 Squadrons.

Originally fitted as a strike aircraft, it was modified in the 1980s to undertake reconnaissance missions. While on active service in 1999, the A8-134 was deployed over East Timor to take aerial photographs of military forces. During this time the aircraft was painted in the Dark Gunship Grey camouflage colour scheme.

This particular RF-111C retired from RAAF service on 3 December 2010, and was returned to its former non-operational colour scheme of green, tan and brown camouflage. It was loaned to the South Australian Aviation Museum before being acquired by the Australian War Memorial in 2019. For historic and interpretive purposes, the A8-134 has been returned to its operation grey colour scheme.

Now in the Australian War Memorial collection, it represents the RAAF’s technological advancements and contributions to modern aerial reconnaissance.

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Learn more about the RF-111C service and reconnaissance operations on the Australian War Memorial’s YouTube channel (external
website).

View Video 1

View Video 2

Please note: all links listed below are to external websites.

REFERENCES
Images: Australian War Memorial AWM2019.4.100.7, AWM2019.4.100.1, AWM2019.4.100.5.

Information compiled primarily from references on the Australian War Memorial's website.