Hobby Master Archive

The AVQ-26 Pave Tack pod is used to visually locate targets for laser illumination and accurate bomb delivery. The pod is carried inside the F-111 on the rotating bomb bay cradle which allows the aircraft to maintain supersonic speeds because of the lack of drag. This pod makes it possible to designate targets at night or in bad weather to deliver laser-guided bombs on their intended targets. F-111C A8-138, from No. 1 Sqn., RAAF was the prototype for this adaptation. The aircraft completed its maiden flight in 1968 and was delivered to the RAAF in late 1973.