bay. The RF-111Cs retained their strike capability. The first F-111C, A8-126 selected for conversion to the RF-111C variant was modified at General Dynamics plant at Fort Worth, Texas between October 1978 and 18 April 1979. After four months of test flights, the aircraft returned to Australia in August 1979 where it conducted further tropical weather trials at Darwin. The other three aircraft were modified by the RAAF's No. 3 Aircraft Depot at RAAF Base Amberley in 1980, using kits purchased from General Dynamics. The RF-111C variant proved to be highly successful, and was considered to be among the best tactical reconnaissance aircraft in the world. Three of the four RF-111Cs remained in RAAF service until 2010. The other aircraft was retired in 2006 after suffering damage from landing on its belly after one of its main wheels separated during takeoff; although the aircraft was repairable it was judged not worthwhile doing so due to the impending retirement of the entire F-111 fleet. The RAAF does not have an aircraft with the RF-111C's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities since they were retired. Operators Royal Australian Air Force No. 82 Wing – RAAF Base Amberley No. 1 Squadron F-111C (1973–2009) No. 6 Squadron F-111C (1973–2010), F-111G (1993–2007) Aircraft Research and Development Unit RAAF (during trials) Aircraft on display Australia F-111C A8-109 – Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, Albion Park A8-113 – Darwin Aviation Museum, Winnellie, NT A8-125 – RAAF Museum, Point Cook, Victoria (stored) A8-126 – RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre, Qld A8-129 – Queensland Air Museum, Caloundra A8-131 – Moorabbin Air Museum, Vic (cockpit module only) A8-132 – ARDU, RAAF Edinburgh, SA A8-134 – South Australian Aviation Museum, Port Adelaide, SA A8-135 – Caboolture Warplane and Heritage Museum, Qld (cockpit module only) A8-136 – RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre, Qld (cockpit module only) A8-138 – RAAF Amberley, Qld (gate guard) A8-140 – Royal Australian Air Force Association Museum, Bull Creek, WA (cockpit module only) A8-141 – RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre, Qld (cockpit module only) A8-142 – RAAF Wagga Wagga, NSW (gate guard) A8-147 – Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Heritage Aviation Association, NSW) A8-148 – Fighter World, Williamtown, NSW United States F-111C A8-130 – Pacific Aviation Museum, Ford Island-Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Specifications (F-111C) See also References Notes Citations Bibliography Audit Report No.27 2006–07: Management of Air Combat Fleet In-Service Support. Canberra: National Audit Office (ANAO), 2007. . [https://web.archive.org/web/20091022110347/http://www.anao.gov.au/uploads/documents/1999-00_Audit_Report_40.pdf Audit Report No.40 1999–2000: