How the F-111 Revolutionized Aircraft Capabilities - Episode 57

Retired F-111 Pilot Lt. Col. Kevin “Too Kool” Kuhlmann explains how the General Dynamics F-111 could perform almost any role in the air battlefield, as a fighter, bomber, and even low-level attack aircraft.

In this episode, Kevin discusses maintaining weapon systems on the F-106 and F-4, flying the Aardvark, and the thrill of lighting the afterburner during fuel dumps. With groundbreaking technology for its time, like terrain-following radar, variable-sweep wings, and an ejection capsule, this supersonic jet was not only advanced but a whole lot of fun to fly. This one is going to be cool!

Resources:
Chapters:
  • (00:00) - Intro
  • (01:34) - The F-111 Overview
  • (04:32) - Flying at Mach 1.5
  • (04:55) - Aviation Beginnings
  • (06:06) - Joining the Air National Guard
  • (07:01) - F-106 Maintenance
  • (08:39) - Working on the F-4
  • (09:24) - Joining the Air Force
  • (11:32) - Naming the Aardvark
  • (12:01) - Flying the T-37
  • (12:29) - F-111 Training
  • (15:57) - Transitioning from F to A Models
  • (16:48) - The Variable-Sweep Wings
  • (19:27) - Terrain-Following Radar
  • (20:25) - The Weapons System Officer
  • (22:41) - The Ejection Capsule
  • (24:41) - Fuel Dumping with Afterburner
  • (26:25) - Becoming an F-111 Instructor Pilot
  • (29:57) - Aardvark Retirement
  • (30:32) - The F-111 Influence on Aircraft Design
  • (31:59) - Teaching at MSU
  • (33:16) - Kevin's Advice
  • (34:48) - Outro
How the F-111 Revolutionized Aircraft Capabilities - Episode 57
Broadcast by