{"product_id":"f-111-aardvark-general-dynamics-variable-swept-wing-attack-aircraft-9780764361289","title":"F-111 Aardvark: General Dynamics' Variable-Swept-Wing Attack Aircraft","description":"The General Dynamics F-111 was one of aviation history's most promising planes when it came out in the early 1960s. Despite a rocky service career, political changes in how the military acquired its weaponry, and the addition of too much new technology, the plane provided a credible frontline deterrent in the Cold War era and was used to great effect in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Many of the challenges faced by putting the F-111--with all of its new systems--into service are now accepted as a normal outfit in modern fighter aircraft. Although the Navy did not accept the F-111B model, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat development program was significantly assisted by prior radar and missile system testing on the F-111B airframe. The F-111 was a hugely powerful aircraft and carried devastating weaponry, but was phased out by the USAF in the mid-90s, largely due to crippling maintenance costs. The aircraft remained in Australian service until 2010.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eGourley, John:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - John Gourley is a crash\/rescue fire protection specialist, who has served in this capacity both in the United States Air Force and later as a civilian contractor. His lifelong hobby has been photographing military hardware.","brand":"Schiffer Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50519989158162,"sku":"9780764361289","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_ae241f52-d19b-4ef0-a64e-634da52df120.jpg?v=1731073595","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/f-111-aardvark-general-dynamics-variable-swept-wing-attack-aircraft-9780764361289","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}