We have been looking at the General Dynamics F-111 swing-wing jet recently. This was the first aircraft to enter service with variable geometry, or swing-wings, the angle of which could be varied in flight. Forward for low-speed, during take-off and landing; and back for high-speed flight.
It was a popular subject with toy, die-cast, and kit makers, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, when the aircraft was in service.
It is common for manufacturers to make a toy based on a real vehicle or aircraft, and use that single model to depict a number of different versions, even when there are major changes between variants. That applies to this small die-cast version of the F-111, which was part of the Dyna-Flites range by Zee Toys.
The real F-111 was built in several versions. The F-111A tactical strike aircraft for the USAF; the short-nosed F-111B fighter for the US Navy, which was cancelled; and the long range FB-111 for the USAF Strategic Air Command.
The F-111C was the sole export version, for Australia. The F-111K was intended for the United Kingdom, but this order was cancelled. The F-111D, F-111E, and F-111F were improved versions of the F-111A. The F-111G was a modified FB-111 for tactical use. Some of the early F-111A aircraft were converted to EF-111A electronic warfare jamming aircraft - these are easy to spot as they have a large 'canoe' fairing atop the fin.
The Dyna-Flites model depicts the EF-111A, with the large fairing on top of the fin, but it is painted in a US Navy style colour scheme of white and light grey, with black and yellow tail markings, but no US national insignia. However, it is clearly not a model of the F-111B. With the wings forward, the model has a span of 74mm; with the wings swept back the span is 40mm.
Have you anything like this?
Happy New Year!
Paul Adams from New Zealand
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