Strict US military regulations will govern the future of about 10 F-111s when the Air Force retires the planes from service this year.

With the shiny, new F/A-18F Super Hornet in the garage, the Royal Australian Air Force is now looking to offload old faithful after 37 years of service.

Ground crew prepare a RAAF F-111 taking part in the aircrafts' last major international excersise Operation Pitch Black in the skies above the Northern Territory. Credit:Glenn Campbell

At least 10 of the planes, with an average of 6.2 million kilometres on the clock, will be available for sale by tender, with the RAAF keeping up to seven, and four others to be destroyed.

Of the fleet of 21 F-111s, the RAAF will retain four planes to go on display around the country, with up to three more being retained behind the scenes to preserve military heritage.