# How the F-111 Revolutionized Aircraft Capabilities - Episode 57

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/behind-the-wings-5485390/how-the-f-111-revolutionized-aircraft-capabilities-episode-57
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/behind-the-wings-5485390/how-the-f-111-revolutionized-aircraft-capabilities-episode-57.md
Podcast: [Behind the Wings](https://stenobird.com/podcast/behind-the-wings-5485390)
Published: 2025-06-30T19:00:22+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/1cee5526
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/1cee5526/5493fc8d.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/behind-the-wings-5485390/episodes/how-the-f-111-revolutionized-aircraft-capabilities-episode-57
Duration seconds: 2177

## Resource

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: Wings Museum's FB-111A Kevin's MSU Bio The F-111 Aardvark (Behind the Wings) 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

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## Transcript

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