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Panavia Tornado

Panavia Tornado at Waddington Air Show 2008. Photo by Ian Bracegirdle

Panavia Tornado at Waddington Air Show 2008. Photo by Ian Bracegirdle

The Tornado was jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy and first flew on 4th August 1974. A total of 992 aircraft were built with production finishing in 1999. As well as the three main operators, Tornados were also bought by RSAF (Royal Saudi Air Force) and are still in service now.

For many years Tornado crews were trained at the Tri-National Unit at RAF Cottesmore, but when this unit was disbanded RAF training was moved to RAF Lossiemouth with No. XV (Reserve) Squadron, who still operate Tornado GR4s today.

One RAF squadron still operates the F-3 air defence version, being 111 Squadron at RAF Leuchars in Scotland. All other aircraft are based at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Marham with GR4s.

Panavia Tornado F3 753/AS092/3345 ZE887/GF at Kemble Air Show 2008Panavia Tornado and Hawker Hunter four-ship formation at Kemble Air Show 2008Panavia Tornado two-ship formation at Kemble Air Show 2008Panavia Tornado at RAF Coltishall Last Enthusiasts DayPanavia Tornado at RAF Coltishall Last Enthusiasts DayPanavia Tornado F3 ZG774 at RAF Coltishall Last Enthusiasts DayPanavia Tornado F3 ZE156 at RAF Coltishall Last Enthusiasts DayPanavia Tornado at RAF Marham Families Day 2009Panavia TornadoPanavia TornadoPanavia TornadoPanavia Tornado

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin, Bruce Martin and Ian Bracegirdle

Tornados at RAF Marham

Panavia Tornados

RAF Marham is home to part of the RAF's GR4 Tornado force. Having four squadrons of Tornado GR4s on strength, 2, 9, 13 and 31 Squadrons. Marham is one of the busiest RAF bases in the area. The other GR4 Tornados are operated in Scotland at RAF Lossiemouth.

Panavia Tornado90th anniversary Panavia TornadoPanavia Tornado diamond nine formationPanavia TornadoPanavia TornadosPanavia TornadoPanavia Tornado two-ship formationPanavia Tornado GR4 064/BS017/3034 ZA550Panavia TornadoPanavia TornadoPanavia Tornado two-ship formationPanavia Tornado90th anniversary Panavia TornadoPanavia TornadoPanavia TornadoPanavia Tornado GR4 382/BS129/3176 ZD748 Shiny TwoPanavia Tornado two-ship formationPanavia Tornado GR4 382/BS129/3176 ZD748 Shiny Two

Images courtesy of Bruce Martin

A show of force - Tuesday 26th January 2010

Panavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF Marham

Panavia Tornado GR4
Photo Denis J. Calvert Inter-Air Press

RAF Marham hosted a press and media event on Tuesday 26th January. This event was arranged to introduce the media to No. 31 Squadron, who have just returned from a three month tour in support of Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. The object of the event was to demonstrate the Tornado GR4 and the weapon systems and personnel who use them.

Marham's Station Commander (Group Captain Peter Rochelle) was on hand talk to the media as was the officer commanding 31 Squadron Wing Commander Ian Gale. Other members of the squadron were also on hand including 31 Squadron's lady pilot Flt Lt Juliette Fleming.

Members of the ground forces who support the Tornados gave a demonstration of how the information is interpreted back on the ground in one of their mobile units.

Panavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 pilot at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamWing Commander Ian Gale at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF Marham

Wing Commander Gale described how the Tornado was used in Afghanistan which included overflying insurgents over 500 MPH at 100ft, which forces them to take cover. This policy means that the RAF is using the minimum amount of munitions which has reduced the possibility of killing innocent civilians. The Tornados also use their sophisticated equipment to detect the presence of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and mortar firing positions.

Panavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamFlt Lt Juliette Fleming at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamReconnaissance Airborne Pod for Tornado, RAPTOR at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamGroup Captain Peter Rochelle at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPaveway IV at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF MarhamAN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING targeting pod (pictured right) at the A show of force Tornado event at RAF Marham

Images courtesy of Ross Cannon

Many thanks to Squadron Leader Jenny Dennis Media Communications Officer and her staff for organising the event.

No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF Leeming - Friday 4th April 2008

Panavia Tornado five-ship formation at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF Leeming

Yorkshire's last Tornado squadron disbanded at RAF Leeming on Friday 4th April 2008. 25 Squadron which has been stationed at RAF Leeming since 1989 flying the F3 Tornado. This just leaves RAF Leuchars in Scotland to soldier on with the last F3s until they are finally replaced by the Typhoon.

The event was overshadowed by the weather but even this could not put a damper on the proceedings with the conditions improving throughout the day. 25 Squadron's disbandment ended up as a friendly and well organised event. A tribute to a fine aircraft and a farewell to Yorkshire.

Panavia Tornado at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado F3 912/AS141/3453 ZG780 at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado F3 912/AS141/3453 ZG780 at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado five-ship formation at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado three-ship formation at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado F3 ZG751 at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado F3 ZE969 at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornados at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornados at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado in hardened shelter at the No. 25 Squadron disband at RAF Leeming

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin

25th anniversary of the Tornado - July 2007

Panavia Tornado four-ship formation at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF Marham

The 25th anniversary of the Tornado was celebrated on July 2007 at RAF Marham during Marham's annual Friends and Families Day, which including static and flying displays, sideshows and exhibits. Several Tornados were on static display including 95th anniversary aircraft with their tail art. There was also an aircraft with the fin painted with the '25th anniversary of the Tornado' tail art.

Panavia Tornado GR4 382/BS129/3176 ZD748 Shiny two at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 382/BS129/3176 ZD748 Shiny two at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 - Tornado 25 years on at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado line up at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamAir Launched Anti-Radiation Missile (ALARM) at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamAir Launched Anti-Radiation Missile (ALARM) at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamReconnaissance Airborne Pod for Tornado, RAPTOR at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamBrimstone missiles at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamBrimstone missiles at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado GR4 382/BS129/3176 ZD748 Shiny two at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado line up at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamPanavia Tornado four-ship formation at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF MarhamAirfield attack at the 25th anniversary of the Tornado at RAF Marham

Images courtesy of Ginge Little

No. 11 Squadron Tornados at RAF Leeming - 31st October 2005

Panavia Tornado F3 ZE887 and four-ship formation at RAF Leeming

RAF Leeming said goodbye to No. 11 (F) Squadron and its Tornado F3s on 31st October 2005. The 90th anniversary jet was parked on the parade ground opposite the Squadron's Lightning also marked up in 11 Squadrons colours. As the reviewing officer Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon took the salute, a four-ship formation of 11 Squadron aircraft overflew the parade. Some of 11 Squadron's F3s were retired with others being taken up by the remaining squadrons. The Lightning was moved down to RAF Coningsby ready for No. 11 Squadron when it reformed with Typhoons later in the year.

Panavia Tornado static line up at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado static line up at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado pilot at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado F3 ZE295 at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado F3 ZE942 at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornados at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado pilot at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornados at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornados at RAF LeemingEnglish Electric Lightning XR753 at RAF LeemingEnglish Electric Lightning XR753 and Panavia Tornado F3 ZE887 at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado F3 ZE887 at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornado F3 ZE887 and four-ship formation at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornados at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornados at RAF LeemingPanavia Tornados at RAF LeemingEnglish Electric Lightning XR753 and Panavia Tornado in hangar at RAF Leeming

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin

Cottesmore Tornados

German Air Force Panavia Tornado at RAF Cottesmore

RAF Cottesmore became the home to the Tri-National Training Establishment (TTTE) in early 1981. Which undertook the training of the Panavia Tornado pilots from the RAF, Luftwaffe, German Navy and Italian Air Force.

Cottesmore operated a large number of GR1 Tornados from one large dispersal and was one of the RAF's busiest Tornado stations in the country.

Italian Air Force Panavia Tornado at RAF CottesmoreItalian Air Force Panavia Tornado at RAF CottesmoreItalian Air Force Panavia Tornado at RAF CottesmoreGerman Air Force Panavia Tornado at RAF CottesmoreGerman Air Force Panavia Tornado at RAF CottesmorePanavia Tornado line up at RAF CottesmorePanavia Tornado line up at RAF CottesmoreGerman Navy Panavia Tornado at RAF CottesmorePanavia Tornado line up at RAF CottesmoreTornados at RAF CottesmoreTornados at RAF CottesmoreTornados at RAF Cottesmore German Air Force Panavia Tornado at RAF CottesmoreGerman Air Force Panavia Tornado at RAF CottesmoreTornados at RAF CottesmoreTornados at RAF CottesmorePanavia Tornado pair at RAF CottesmoreTornados at RAF Cottesmore

Images courtesy of Bob Franklin