It was one of Australia's principal strike and reconnaissance aircraft for 37 years, and next year Aircraft A8-134 will take up a new role as a member of the Australian War Memorial's collection.
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The former bomber is the sole surviving Royal Australian Air Force RF-111C aircraft that participated in reconnaissance missions over East Timor, and has the greatest operational significance of the preserved Australian F-111 fleet.
It served with the No 1 and No 6 squadrons in the Royal Australian Air Force from 1973, with reconnaissance equipment added to a special bay in its underbelly in 1980. The aircraft then remained in a reconnaissance role until it was retired in December 2010.
Australian War Memorial assistant director, retired Major General Brian Dawson, said the aircraft would be transferred from the South Australian Aviation Museum in mid-2019.
It will be the only F-111 in the museum's collection, and will be considered for display in the museum's galleries after restoration.
“This RF-111C aircraft is a major piece of Australian aviation history, which will one day be an invaluable addition to the memorial’s displays," Major General Dawson said.
"It will be a powerful visual demonstration to visitors of the important work of the men and women of the RAAF who supported and flew the RF-111C aircraft in theatres like East Timor and the F-111 fleet more broadly over nearly 40 years."
Aircraft A8-134 will be replaced at the South Australian Aviation Museum by Aircraft A-132, which is presently at RAAF Base Edinburgh, just north of Adelaide.
