Final Reveal- F-111F 70-2389, " KARMA 52", Operation Eldorado Canyon April 15, 1986
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 1:05 am
This has been one of the best and most enjoyable kits I have Built. I have always had an affection for the F-111. This story of the raid on Tripoli has always interested me.
F-111F, tail number 70-2389, Radio Call Sign "KARMA 52". on the night of April 15,1986 during Operation Eldorado Canyon, the Raid on Tripoli ,Libya. Karma 52, was the only aircraft lost that night. This F-111F was piloted by Major Fernando Ribas Dominici (AC) and Capt. Paul Lorence (WSO).
On the night of April 14-15, 1986, the U.S.Air Force undertook its first combat since Vietnam and first from Great Britain since WWII. Twenty-four F-111F Aardvarks (including six spares) launched from Lakenheath, supported by five EF-111A Raven electronic jamming planes from Upper Heyford, nineteen KC-10A Extenders and 10 KC-135 Stratotankers.
Pilots who flew on the mission reported seeing a fireball fall into the sea during the raid, and in the light of a lack of any other evidence, the USAF concluded that the plane was lost to a SAM or AAA. After years of denying that they had the bodies of the two crew members, the Libyan authorities returned the remains of Fernando on request from the Pope. He was identified by dental records. Paul Lorence has never been returned.
In respect for the crew, the last F-111F flown to AMARC was with the same Callsign. " KARMA 52". Both Lorence and Ribas-Dominicci were awarded the Purple Heart and Ribas-Dominicci was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major, effective April 15, 1986.
I dedicate this build to Major Fernando Ribas Dominici (AC) and Capt. Paul Lorence (WSO).
I noticed that I had the canopies reversed. that has been corrected
F-111F, tail number 70-2389, Radio Call Sign "KARMA 52". on the night of April 15,1986 during Operation Eldorado Canyon, the Raid on Tripoli ,Libya. Karma 52, was the only aircraft lost that night. This F-111F was piloted by Major Fernando Ribas Dominici (AC) and Capt. Paul Lorence (WSO).
On the night of April 14-15, 1986, the U.S.Air Force undertook its first combat since Vietnam and first from Great Britain since WWII. Twenty-four F-111F Aardvarks (including six spares) launched from Lakenheath, supported by five EF-111A Raven electronic jamming planes from Upper Heyford, nineteen KC-10A Extenders and 10 KC-135 Stratotankers.
Pilots who flew on the mission reported seeing a fireball fall into the sea during the raid, and in the light of a lack of any other evidence, the USAF concluded that the plane was lost to a SAM or AAA. After years of denying that they had the bodies of the two crew members, the Libyan authorities returned the remains of Fernando on request from the Pope. He was identified by dental records. Paul Lorence has never been returned.
In respect for the crew, the last F-111F flown to AMARC was with the same Callsign. " KARMA 52". Both Lorence and Ribas-Dominicci were awarded the Purple Heart and Ribas-Dominicci was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major, effective April 15, 1986.
I dedicate this build to Major Fernando Ribas Dominici (AC) and Capt. Paul Lorence (WSO).
I noticed that I had the canopies reversed. that has been corrected
