Aardvark in TFR

Aardvark in TFR

The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark is a twin-engined, two-seat swing-wing light bomber which flew for the first time in the Sixties and phased out shortly after the Millenium. This type became famous for its attack on the barracks of the Lybian president Ghadaffi back in the early Eighties.

The Aardvark was very sophisticated for its day. It was possible to fly in a 'terrain-hugging mode', meaning the plane steered itself automatically through valleys avoiding all obstacles it encountered. This using the Terrain Following Radar keeping it at constand altitude and distance from the mud. Pilot and Weapon Systems Officer could sit back and 'relax' while flying at altitudes of 30 meters at speeds of up to 1200 km per hour. Must have been quite a sensation...

Sky hand-painted digitally in PS. Desert, rocks, bush in foreground and planes (2x the same one): 4 photos in total. Lot of radial blur in zoom mode.

Edited in PS CS2.

Gruss Alle, Peter