Restoration Update

The Pig Flies Again

Moving the F-111 crew module from Sydney to Brisbane — 1850 km, 22 hours, three blokes and one fairly large Pig.

1850 km

Total distance

22 hrs

Behind the wheel

Crew members

Mach 2.5

What the Pig once did

Well… that was a weekend.

Pop Chris and I knocked over 1850 km and 22 hours behind the wheel relocating the F-111 crew module from Sydney to Brisbane to start the Simulator transformation

Three blokes, repeating jokes, one trailer and one fairly large Pig.

Friday — Loading Day

We left Brisbane early Friday, headed south and by that afternoon it was time to get the F-111 loaded. After all the planning, worry and how — it went far quicker and easier than we expected. A few hours later it was tied down and ready to head north.

And Harley suddenly had something he hadn't had for a while… a vacant front lawn. Then came pizzas, a bourbon, a scotch and a pack of Japanese whisky. But the pizzas took nearly an hour to arrive. By bike. We were sitting beside something that could once do Mach 2.5 waiting an hour for dinner. The Pig would not have been impressed. The drinks came out, the bullshit started and it turned into a cracking night. Then lots of sleep.

F-111 crew module secured on trailer in Sydney street, blue straps visible — Friday — the Pig secured and ready to roll

Saturday — 0400 Hours, Heading North

Saturday — 0400, the "Ninjas" x3 were back in the 200 Series and heading for Brisbane without making a sound. We sat on a safe, steady speed heading north, which meant plenty of traffic passed us.

That was half the entertainment. There were plenty of noses pressed against glass, double takes, and people having a good look as they went past the F-111 sitting on the trailer. Not something you pass on the highway every day — especially below V1.

Heading north — 0400 Saturday

Saturday — 1500 - Safe and Sound

8 stops, 3 inflight refuels, lots of bad jokes again, but we made it

F-111 crew module on trailer arriving in Brisbane, palm trees visible — Saturday afternoon — the Pig arrives in Brisbane

Brisbane — Mission Complete

Right on schedule, the Pig rolled into Brisbane to start its next challenge: continuing the restoration and completing the conversion into a full-function F-111 simulator.

Harley gets his front lawn back. Prospective new pilots alike will get a chance to Dump and Burn over Brisbane again. Thanks to Andy, Ash, Jeff, Daniel, Oli, Jody, Jaz, Gabby, Jade, Celeste, and Pop BIG thanks to Sam and Ivy

F-111 crew module arrived in Brisbane workshop — Saturday — the Pig arrives at its new Brisbane home

F-111 cockpit open showing internal structure in Brisbane workshop — Canopy open in Brisbane — the Remove Before Flight tag still in place

The Full Journey

F-111 cockpit open showing internal structure and Remove Before Flight tag — Canopy open — the cockpit interior with its iconic Remove Before Flight tag

F-111 crew module being pushed into Brisbane workshop — Sunday unload — pushing the Pig into its new home

Crew inspecting F-111 module after arrival in Brisbane — Pop supervising the operation

F-111 crew module settled in Brisbane workshop — Sunday — settled in, the Pig in its new Brisbane workshop

Mission Status

Dump and Burn Over Brisbane — Again

The Pig is home. Restoration continues. Prospective new pilots will get their chance to fly the F-111 once more.