Warbird Information Exchange

Aging war bird returns to birthplace
By CHRIS VAUGHN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

FORT WORTH -- Arriving in pieces on two flatbed tractor-trailers, it did not look like much of a museum piece.

But the homecoming of an F-111 Aardvark, built in Fort Worth a generation ago at General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin, was cause for celebration at the Veterans Memorial Air Park.

"There is no example of the F-111 in the Metroplex," said Jim Hodgson, president of the OV-10 Bronco Association, which has spearheaded the creation of the air park. "This airplane to a lot of the retired guys from the plant is the most important project they worked on."

The F-111, an E model delivered to the Air Force in 1969, is nicknamed "Balls 9," from its manufacturing number of 68-0009. The Aardvark was a controversial, and costly, airplane in the 1960s and eventually became known as "McNamara's folly," a nod to the defense secretary at the time.

BY THE NUMBERS

Here's some more to know about the F-111's return to Fort Worth:

566 The number of F-111s produced at the General Dynamics plant in Fort Worth. It was retired by the Air Force in 1996.

2 The number of F-111s on display in Texas. One is in Tyler at the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum. The other is at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls.

5,430 The number of flight hours "Balls 9" recorded, all of them with the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron based in England. Some of those flights were over Kuwait and Iraq during the first Persian Gulf War.

$12,000 The amount of money it took to bring the plane to Fort Worth. The OV-10 Bronco Association raised half the money from F-111 supporters, and the other half came from the B-36 Peacemaker Museum group.

$3,000 The amount needed to restore the plane. "There is a lot of talent with the retirees from the B-36 group, and when they get done, I guarantee you that you will not be able to tell the difference," said Jim Bloomberg, a leader in the OV-10 group.

13 The air park now has a "baker's dozen" aircraft next door to its hangar at Meacham Airport, including an F-4 Phantom, F-14 Tomcat, OV-10 Bronco and A-4 Skyhawk. The organization parked a TF-102 Delta Dagger, produced in Fort Worth in 1958, at the site just a week ago.

Source: Star-Telegram research, OV-10 Bronco Association

Elwyn,

Your referring to this one in Hooks TX,

http://www.f-111.net/t_no_K.htm

Bill.

Elwyn,

Your referring to this one in Hooks TX,

http://www.f-111.net/t_no_K.htm

Bill.