F-111 Bomb door question

[CAPFlyer]

Just to prevent any confusion Gary, are you talking about the Airpower Museum staff or the NMUSAF staff?

[retroaviation]

Our museum staff. I don't have daily discussions with that other museum up in Dayton.

Gary

[CAPFlyer]

That's what I figured you meant. I had doubts that the NMUSAF would have much to say on this aircraft since we (the CAF and AAHM) already filled out that paperwork once this year.

[ausflyboy]

Hi Guys, this may help you....pages scanned from F-111G manual

[retroaviation]

Thanks ausflyboy! Cool info.

[JDK]

Thanks ausflyboy! Cool info.

If you are talking to any USAF Pig crews, I'd be interested if they've ever done a dump and burn, and if not (I've never heard of it) why not? It's certainly the RAAF Pig's party piece.

Cheers,

[retroaviation]

We have success!!! You WIXers are incredible! I've received replies from the e-mail requests I've sent, along with four other e-mails and/or PMs with folks helping work this out.






The bomb bay is incredibly clean (and I'll try to keep it that way). Does anyone know the purpose for the black shelf on the left side of the bay?




Thanks again, y'all.

Gary

[N3Njeff]

Thanks ausflyboy! Cool info.

If you are talking to any USAF Pig crews, I'd be interested if they've ever done a dump and burn, and if not (I've never heard of it) why not? It's certainly the RAAF Pig's party piece.

Cheers,

Sounds like your talking about a "Zippo".

[Obergrafeter]

I recently talked with an US crewmwmber and he said that they did them, mostly to enertain the ground troops .

[CAPFlyer]

My understanding is that "Zippos" were outlawed by the USAF (at least for airshows) back in the late 1970's or early 1980's after an aircraft was lost when they allowed the airplane to slow to a speed where the flame walked up into the dump manifold. Crew got out, but the USAF frowned upon any further use of the technique because by that time there weren't a ton left.

[JDK]

My understanding is that "Zippos" were outlawed by the USAF (at least for airshows) back in the late 1970's or early 1980's after an aircraft was lost when they allowed the airplane to slow to a speed where the flame walked up into the dump manifold. Crew got out, but the USAF frowned upon any further use of the technique because by that time there weren't a ton left.

Thanks guys. Maybe staying at a good speed would also have resolved the issue - Certainly the RAAF doesn't have so many Pigs it's careless with them. Anyone got details of that accident?

Does anyone remember seeing one by a USAF 'Vark? Either at a show (and if so, when) or if they were serving.

Guess you could also use it to keep the troops warm, too.

Cheers,

[bluehawk15]

I can't remember the exact year, all the years of Airsho have started to blend together, but I know it was Harlingen, so I'd guess somewhere around the mid-80's that I saw a 111 make a pass with a long tail of fire behind it. It was something I'd never seen before, or since.

[51fixer]

I wonder if the shelf was for carrying a tow bar?
Looks pretty heavy duty and is it attached to a shackle?
If it is you could remove it for more space for the hardware.
Rich

[JDK]

Thanks Mike - I know what you mean about them all blending...

I've never seen the USAF do it in the UK at Mildenhall or elsewhere, although a 1 Sqn RAAF Pig did in about 1990 - 92 or so at IAT in the UK.

Very popular here and in NZ when 1 Sqn visit.

[retroaviation]

Thanks once again for all of the great help with this little F-111 project. After getting numerous e-mails from very helpful folks, and from the posts on this thread, it is pretty much unanimous that the shelf is for crews to strap their cargo/luggage to, when going places.

Thanks again for all of the help!

Gary