General Dynamics YF-111A, 63-9766 / A1-01, Air Force Flight Test Center Museum - AFFTC
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 63-9766
Construction Number: A1-01
Code Number: 39766
Model General Dynamics YF-111A
Operator: Air Force Flight Test Center Museum - AFFTC
Airport: Edwards AFB (EDW / KEDW), USA - California
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 07/05/1993
Date Submitted: 05/08/2009
The first prototype YF-111A on display at the AFFTC Museum at Edwards AFB. The F-111 was born out of the TFX (Tactical Fighter Experimental) program, to provide a new tactical fighter aircraft for the United States Air Force. Arguably the F-111 was one of the most controversial aircraft that ever flew, suffering from a protracted development program and being bitterly criticised by the media of the day. In retrospect this criticism is rather unfair on an aircraft that became one of the most effective all-weather interdiction aircraft in the world, and one with the best safety record of any of the Century-Series fighters, suffering only 77 aircraft lost in a million flying hours. This first prototype was rolled out of the General Dynamics factory at Fort-Worth, Texas on the 15 October 1964 and made her maiden flight from Carswell AFB on the 21 December. At the controls for that first flight were Dick Johnson and Val Prahl, although the flight was shortened to just 22 minutes because of a flap malfunction, the results were generally satisfactory. On her second flight, on the 6 January 1965, the wings were swept form the minimum 16 degrees to the full aft 72.5-degree position. This prototype lacked the escape capsule of the production articles, being fitted instead with conventional ejection seats for the two crew members.
Picture ID:1185631