Nate Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Since I have an F-111 on the way courtesy of the great and generous Breadboard B) I thought I should start gathering some info. I know little about F-111's and even less about the birds on the raid, but I'm almost positive our friend's Dad was the crew chief on 70-2394 during the raid and I'd like to build that bird. :D I know he was crew chief on that bird at some point and I'm pretty sure it was during Libya.... Are there timeframe or mission specific details that I should add or corrections to the Has kit that I need to make? TIA - any info helps! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A6BSTARM Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Check out DOD Defense Imagery and do a search for F-111, El Drado Canyon, or similar search terms related to the raid and they have a series of shots (about 30 last time I looked). I don't know if you will be able to find your specific aircraft, however you will be able to see some of the aircraft leave Lakenheath prior to the raid and some shots of the aircrew returning. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Nate, You'll probably find this site useful. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
juanchopancho Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 What kind of jamming pod did they carry on that mission? ALQ-119, ALQ-131s? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 What kind of jamming pod did they carry on that mission? ALQ-119, ALQ-131s? 131 shallow IIRC. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate Posted December 15, 2008 Author Share Posted December 15, 2008 Thanks Murph - I forgot about the F-111.net page. The defense images has lots of good pics, but not of the raiders. Thanks though, I've never been to that site before and I'll definitely be going back! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
juanchopancho Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Actually that DOD site has some photos. In the search type "F-111F Libya" and you'll see several from the raid. They are pretty old and low quality. I wonder if there are any sources that show which aircraft in this operation actually dropped bombs and what ordinance. Which ones aborted? Which were the 6 backup aircraft that returned a couple of hours after launch? Apparently the Azziziya and Bilal targets where hit with GBU-10s and they used MK-82 Snakeyes at the Tripoli airport? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Found on Google using "F-111 Libya Puffy" in search: RAID SUMMARY Call - sign - Target - Assessment Remit 31 Azziziyah Barracks Hit Remit 32 Azziziyah Barracks Off dry Remit 33 Azziziyah Barracks Hit Elton 41 Azziziyah Barracks Abort—inop Pave Tack Elton 42 Azziziyah Barracks Abort—tanker turned too soon, crew still refueling, out of position to meet timing Elton 43 Azziziyah Barracks Abort—hot wheel well indication Karma 51 Azziziyah Barracks Miss—radar misidentification Karma 52 Azziziyah Barracks KIA Karma 53 Azziziyah Barracks Abort—loss of electrical systems Puffy 11 Tripoli Airfield Hit Puffy 12 Tripoli Airfield Abort—TFR failure Puffy 13 Tripoli Airfield Miss—radar misidentification Lujac 22 Tripoli Airfield Hit Lujac 23 Tripoli Airfield Hit Lujac 24 Tripoli Airfield Miss—computer malfunction Jewel 61 Sidi Bilal Miss—radar misidentification Jewel 62 Sidi Bilal Miss—radar misidentification Jewel 63 Sidi Bilal Hit since Puffy 13 was going after the airfield, the load would have been 12 MK-82 AIRs. Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
juanchopancho Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 You rock! Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SimFixer Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 6 hits outta 18 sorties? YEEESH!!! Had no idea it was that bad. Spooked ol' Moammar tho. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mhoupt Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 It did what it was intended to do - it sent a message and that message was (in the words of President Reagan) "Qadaffi counted on America to be passive - he counted wrong." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nate Posted December 15, 2008 Author Share Posted December 15, 2008 Thanks for telling me to go back there - for some reason it showed up when I searched F-111F but not just f-111.....and thanks for the list Finn! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Some more numbers of the raid here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_El_Dorado_Canyon Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fasteagle12 Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 There is a book written by the vice wing commander on the raid. It's called 'Raid on Qadaffi'. I had it because I worked with the Lakenheath Wing Commander Sam Westbrook a few years ago. Although he was the wing commander, he didn't fly the mission. I loaned the book to someone and haven't seen it since (darn if I can remember who I loaned it to). Anyway, the book has a lot of information on the planning and the mission. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Were all of the 111's from Lakenheath or did some of the Upper Heyford birds go also? Darwin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
juanchopancho Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 UH had the F-111Es. As far as I've read only the F-111Fs were used because they had the Pave Tack targeting pods. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhino53 Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Were all of the 111's from Lakenheath or did some of the Upper Heyford birds go also?Darwin I believe Heyford sent some EF-111A's in support, but memory is getting hazy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I believe Heyford sent some EF-111A's in support, but memory is getting hazy. Confirmed - Upper Heyford sent four Spark Varks along for support. Cheers, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 There is a book written by the vice wing commander on the raid. It's called 'Raid on Qadaffi'. I had it because I worked with the Lakenheath Wing Commander Sam Westbrook a few years ago. Although he was the wing commander, he didn't fly the mission. I loaned the book to someone and haven't seen it since (darn if I can remember who I loaned it to). Anyway, the book has a lot of information on the planning and the mission. Raid on Qaddafi: The Untold Story of History's Longest Fighter Missing by the Pilot Who Directed It by Robert E. Venkus ISBN-10: 031207073X ISBN-13: 978-0312070731 http://www.amazon.com/Raid-Qaddafi-History...d/dp/031207073X Quote Link to post Share on other sites
juanchopancho Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Yeah only I'm not going to pay $26 for an old paperback. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phantomologist Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 From Jan van Waarde Jan's Email Address "Hi Bill, I was browsing through the ARC Air Forum and noted a discussion on the F-111s used in Operation El Dorado Canyon. Early in 2006 I did an article for Scramble magazine about the attack, with all info about tail numbers etc. However, as I am not a member of the forum, I could not post an answer. I know you're a member, could you please post the text I attached in the 'Research Corner' of the forum, and please include my e-mail address (jwaarde@chello.nl) so that I can answer any questions ar discuss any additions anyone might have? Thanks!" The article he sent me is 8 pages long. I don't think I can post text files here, so please email Jan or myself Bill's email address And we will get the file to you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
juanchopancho Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 Oh wow, can you send that to me? ericT AT ericthornton.org Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TankerKC10 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Oh wow, can you send that to me? ericT AT ericthornton.orgThanks! I would also like a copy ot the article. I'm particularily interested in the roll of the tankers in making the mission possible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TankerKC10 Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I would also like a copy ot the article. I'm particularily interested in the roll of the tankers in making the mission possible. e-mail address is harry.w.slusher@boeing.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
juanchopancho Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 Check your inbox. :huh: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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