The "Boneyard Wrangler" .
Photo shop creation of the video (old VHS) cover. MODVID (Model Video)
The logo for all video covers
First sighting and a briefing as to how we were to behave around the aircraft hangar, and what we could and couldn't do.
Basicly, we were allowed to ask our guide for permission to access the parts we thought all scale modellers would like to see, from an information point of view and detailed images.
It was a bright and hot day, and the foreground here was washed out by the bright sunshine.
The images from all four quarters was a test to see how much leway we had in the sense of setting our boundaries.
Now, this is where the 'getting closer' was to start, as we really wanted to get as close and get as much detail that we possibly could, as we were the first ever film and photo team to be allowed to get this close ever.
Just a couple of ground support vehicles that happened to be neaxt door were setting up, so I included them as a bonus.
It was quite a surprise to actually be allowed to also touch much of the aircraft and the nose cone is actually covered in a rubber membraine.
This rubber was very glossy indeed, and it is worthwhile painting your models in the same way. NOT matt black.
I will not be putting text to each image, as your eyes can pick up all the detail you will feel is necessary.
The light grey line that runs all around the clear windows is actually "Detonator cord", this explodes to break the windows from the frame, but only after the whole module has been ejected from the aircraft.
Note the interior is actually white, OR very light grey.
The whole surface of the aircraft was 'semigloss' and had a definate 'sheen' to the whole appearance.
The ground crews 'handled' the access and service areas quite extensivly, and as a consequence, the whole surface got a lot of smudged dirt and oil smear.
A good view of the air intake FOD plugs and the Bomb bay door open position, in fact, there is a wealth of information seen here.
Note the small 'grab handles' on the FOD plugs and the chipped leading edge of the air intake.
These are the doors that allows that extra bit of air into the intake tube whan full power is applied on take off.
The tail protector skid
The chaff and flare dispenser system
A clearer shot of the "Boneyard Wrangler" logo with its 10 gallon hat, cowboy's neckchief and a skull that has vampire teeth. 🙂
The 'grotty end of town' and all the escaped hydro oil straking and graphite dry lube powder streaks too.
The wing 'sealing curtain' has spring steel strips that retains pressure on the curtain as the wing slides back to full fold.
Finger marks all over the place, and little patches of spray can grey to cover screw marks and access panel inlets.
The bomb bay doors actuator arm can be seen here.
When some access panels are removed, there is a glue that is applied when they are replaced, and the air flow at high speeds pushes it out and causes streaks as seen here.
Just some of the areals and sensors under the nose area.
Bomb bay doors.
There are a number of little 'doors' that comprise the bomb bay door system seen here.
More of the 'multi door' system.
This bomb bay was for the Atomic bombs it was designed to carry.
More power. Oh ! Oh! Oh!. 🙂
The fuel dump nozzel.
This was on it's way back to it's owner after some maintainance.
As the Hobby Boss kit has two engines, there can be a lot of fun to be had, coppying all the pipes and tubes seen here.
Pipes, pipes and more pipes. Ohhhhhhh. 🙂
The 'compression' louvers and the ignighter ring for the asterburner deep inside.
The arrestor hook that helped one stop after loosing a wheel on take off.
The static electricity discharge wicks
The air brake/wheel well cover.
Now, all the internals of the main wheel well.
The leading edge of the main wing and all its chipping.
The 'dump'n'burn show.
EVIL. 🙂
Time exposure of the 'dump'n'burn' over the city of Brisbane.
There were a number of occasions that presented themselves as a direct result of filming the "Boneyard Wrangler" being the Boston A-20, The Caribou, and the Blackhawk. 🙂
I will scan these and repost them, as photos of photos just ain't gunna work. :-/
RAAF Publications photo.
All black belly.
Low in a valley somewhere near the Ambely air base. 🙂
This was the reply to my request to do the filming of the F-111. And as you can see, I did take some very 'intimate' photos of this most beautiful girl. 🙂 👍
This is the letter from Wing Commander Steinbach giving the OK to film one of their 'assets'. 🙂
This was the last of the aircraft we filmed and photographed.
Kommentare
1 1 May 2016, 04:52
Kerry COXUse them any way you like Stephan, make a folder and save what you like of them, as they were purely for reference any way. 🙂
1 May 2016, 15:03
Bill GilmanNice photos Kerry! This will be quite useful for an F-111 project that I have coming up. The F-111G is basically an FB-111, right? When were these taken? I thought Australia had retired all of their F-111s. I remember seeing that awful picture of some being buried.
1 May 2016, 15:46
Kerry COXHi Bill, The 111 had a number of variants, some with a shorter wings and avionics packs and some with stockier nose cones, but basically all the same.👍
As for how long ago these were taken, take a look at the last uploaded image and that will tell you exactly when where and how. AND, we were the ONLY film crew to gain this much freedom to literally 'crawl in and out and all over the top' of one, especially in such a close up capacity. Something I am very proud of. 🙂
1 May 2016, 20:12
AugieAussie 111c's were IIRC basicly F-111A with F-111B wings and FB-111 Undercarridge.
They bought some F-111G (FB-111 redesignated) when the USAF retired them. These were retired in 2007.
1 May 2016, 22:15
Kerry COXThe "Boneyard Wrangler" was one of those too Augie. Great research girl. 🙂 👍.
Well done 🙂
1 May 2016, 23:16
Bill GilmanThanks Augie! I thought I remembered that the "Gs" were re-purposed "FBs."
Kerry - I hate that video! So sad! But thanks for posting it. 75 years from now, some treasure seeker will be looking to dig them up like those guys who thought there were buried Spitfires in Southeast Asia.
2 May 2016, 00:23
Kerry COXOr all the Harley Davidson WLA's buried under the concrete slab that is now Bandiana, in Albury hehehehe
2 May 2016, 01:01
Kerry COXYes, it certainly does. 🙁 I remember the very first 'Dump and burn' they did over Brisbane. ! Car accidents all over the place and people thought they were UFO's or war had broken out. LOL 🙂
1 July 2019, 10:54
Scott DuttonWe still have an escape module at work, from USA not one of ours and it gets used for the Children's XMAS party. Ogh the injustices.
1 July 2019, 10:57
Kerry COXInteresting. !
I remember hearing that the joy stick becomes the bilge pump if the escape module ends up in the drink. hehehehehehe
1 July 2019, 12:39
Martin von SchreckensteinHello Kerry. thank you for this! I am building two tf30s right now and there are some very useful pics in your album!
1 July 2019, 12:53
Kerry COXBelieve me when I say, 'Other than 'media', we were the only civilians to ever get as close to an F-111 as we did, all because it was, "For Scale Modellers".
And while we were there, we also got to photograph and video the Caribou, the A-20 Boston 'Havoc' which had just been totally refurbished.
And then we were invited to Oakey, west of Toowoomba to film the Black Hawk.
But thanks to some who had other motives, Mod Vid never got off the ground, but I would still like to put all my digital videos of these aircraft onto disc, but I lack the equipment and would be charged a massive amount to have it done. But, Oh well. 😉 👍
1 July 2019, 18:16
Slavo HazuchaThe photo-material is superb, a pity with the videos :/ Still, you are helping people & sharing cool stuff here on scalemates - I i.e. already very much look forward to building the Wrangler, will order the kit in the next days 🙂
1 July 2019, 18:36
Kerry COXSlavo, having built the 1/48 Hobby Boss F-111, I can assure you that there is so much scope for improvements /detailing, your head will spin. The box when you open it is "FULL TO THE BRIM" of everything you will need to have a fantastic result. The surface detail is brilliant, as I am sure you have seen on my post. 👍
Have fun mate. 🙂 👍 The best decals actually come from 'Red Roo' decals, with the walk lines and other stenciling. google.com.au/url?sa..ust=1562099700768154
1 July 2019, 20:33
Kerry COXWell, this looks like it may turn out a 'group build', as I have just ordered the pig from BNA and the decals from southern models. Happy times. 👍 😉
2 July 2019, 01:19
Slavo HazuchaA splendid idea, let´s see if we get more people on board! 👍
While I can most likely get the kit without problems, It does not look so cool for me with the decals... To paraphrase the T-Shirt motto:
"No Australian Pig decals in Austria"
seems to be the order of the day... Actually, stretch that to Europe, as my search so far seems to indicate... I also did not find the generic decals sheet on Red Roo - but I would be more than happy to go with these:
RAAF F-111C/G - 1 Sqn. & 6 S..els Australia AAF-053, 1:48)
- for the lines & stencils
and:
F-111C & G (Aussie Decals A48022, 1:48)
- for the aircraft-specific theme
Is there any chance of inter-continental help & support? 🙂
Regarding my process & timing, I still owe some hours of work to my Fullback-baby, so even if the kit arrives, I will not start before mid July realistically... I´m eager to have a look at the HB-model and see if I can get it built with wings folded... maybe even in-flight, if the fit of the bay & all doors supports it... I would be happy to do the Boneyard Wrangler, but if that one´s occupied I can settle on another specific plane too 🙂
2 July 2019, 09:32
Kerry COXThe 'Bone yard' is an all grey beast, and as I love the SEA colour scheme, I will pursue the original lay out.
2 July 2019, 09:55
Slavo HazuchaOK, so I claim the Wrangler! You got a nice SEA one already, what´s the deal this time? Engine out? Avionic bays? 🙂
2 July 2019, 10:16
Kerry COXI am happy with a 'clean' build. Nothing too heavy on the detailing, but better attention to the overall look.
2 July 2019, 10:52
Sergej INever built the Aardvark before, more of a Navy fan, but following as someday... 😄
2 July 2019, 20:45
Kerry COXThe 'Ardvark' was the shorter wing span than all other F-111's version, mainly built for the jamming role .
2 July 2019, 21:53
Scott DuttonI always thought the scheme at the end of its life here was the best, overall grey, looks sinister particularly with some AGM's (142?) or similar standoff weapon. Mind you SEA with a full bomb load also looks great.
2 July 2019, 22:59
Kerry COXWhich were the ones with the shorter wing span Augie. ?
I know very little about the Pig. 😉
3 July 2019, 05:04
AugieOoo challenge accepted
Any but... FB-111A, 111C's, 111G's and 111B's were short wing.
3 July 2019, 09:24
Slavo HazuchaIs this actually taken account for in the HB kits? I´ve seen sprues with multiple instrument panels & stuff in reviews, but do they really change the entire wing assembly? Or does Hobby Boss gently "overlook" the topic?
In any case, my FB-111A - to be made - F-111G is en-route and thanks to the honorable Mr. Michael Hickey, so are some unmistakably original Australian decals! Thanks Michael, I will surely give my best to put them to good use 🙂
Q about the cockpit for ordering the right eduard PE´s - the G´s kept the all-round-instrument cockpit layout, correct?
3 July 2019, 14:20
Nathan DempseyIf the longer spans aren't in the kit, OzMods has the longer wing set. They also have the beefier wheels/tires needed on those FB-111A, F-111G/C/D and F models. Those models had much larger brake systems. Also I have no idea about the HB kit, but be aware the "boat tail" fairing between the engines was different from all other variants on the FB-111A/ G models. The only other obvious thing would be the intakes. The D/E/F &G models had "Triple Plow II" intakes. Get a look at the Radar Absorbing Material inside the intakes too. Check those reference pictures of your bird! 🙂
3 July 2019, 15:13
Kerry COXImage 46 is a mystery to me and no one at the base knew what the stencil was all about but just happened to be in the bomb bay, (Which BTW had never been seen by ANY film crew as there was no access to this part of the aircraft before we came along.) The 'wrangler' was a replacement for one that had crashed and there 'triple plough' I am not too sure about. But there are tons more images of these Aussie issue birds around, and I am just building mine OTB without any bells or whistles.
3 July 2019, 21:56
Palo M+1 on group build, just ordered the Hobby Boss Pig:
Australian F-111C Pig (HobbyBoss 80349, 1:48)
And trying to get at least some of Eduard's PE with it. Hope the decals in the kit are good enough. Will try to do the camouflage version.
4 July 2019, 11:23
Slavo HazuchaLooks like we are going to build a significant portion of the RAAF´s former complement! 🙂
Welcome aboard, did not even take so much work to convince you to join this in the end 🙂 I will sort the PE order today, no worries! If you need some more exotic tuning gear, check also Nathan´s posts up here, he seems to be very much up to speed with what´s available.
4 July 2019, 12:22
Nathan DempseyI just have a huge cheat sheet in my Academy EF-111A and F-111F kits with research I did years ago. Oh another thing on the HB kit. I dont know if they corrected it, but the exhaust nozzles have the wrong number of support "bumps". That kit has 5 and it should be 6. Both Academy and HB kits have flaws, but both can make decent kits. I've heard of people combining them...
4 July 2019, 13:43
Palo MThanks Nathan! I don't think I'll get both to build one correctly but thanks for the hint with the nozzles. Any other useful info is welcome!
4 July 2019, 17:51
Slavo HazuchaModel in a box is on it´s way to my desk... I´ll open it, count the rivets twice and we´ll take it from there - questions will be asked afterwards😉
5 July 2019, 08:41
Kerry COXThe glaring thing about this kit is the fuel dump nozzle. Totally wrong, but the Boneyard images have that covered. 👍 😉
5 July 2019, 09:29
Nathan DempseyCan't wait to see the build Slavo.
Another good thing Kerry's images show is the exhausts when parked. Note how one is open and one is closed much like on the F-14.
5 July 2019, 17:13
Martin von Schreckensteinhello, I can no longer see the contents of this album. did that happen just for me or is it gone for the others as well? It vanished just as I was using it to build my TF30s.. guess i should have saved those pics huh
28 July 2019, 18:05
Kerry COXThere were many of my images used by some one out in the web land who claimed them as his own so I challenged them on copyright and told them to give me the credit for the images., and I deleted the images until I heard from him that he would honour my request.
28 July 2019, 20:11
Slavo HazuchaOh man... Good you sorted that, having the the Wrangler images is really great & particularly useful for my G-version build... Which I'll gladly state in the description once it gets done!😉
28 July 2019, 20:51
Kerry COXThat was a great result in being granted permission to 'shoot' the Bone bandit for scale modellers, Being the ONLY, (up to that point in time) film crew to be able to actually walk the wing upper surface and crawl right into both the wheel wells and bomb bay. I will post the correspondence dealing with the shoot for you.
28 July 2019, 22:03
Album info
The images here are of a replacement F-111 that was flow from the boneyard in Arizona as there had been some aircraft that had met their 'use by' date and all upgrades were getting to expensive. It was named Boneyard Wrangler as a result of the place it was rescued from.
All of the photograpy is in 'close up' as I was granted permission to do this because I informed the RAAF that these images were for 'Scale modelling enthusiasts' of Australia.